Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia

3 reviews

elkzhra's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

(I'm @ campus rn lol). but holy shit. Arguably my one gripe is starting right after finishing its predecessor, I feel both Carmen and Dani had the same voice. But as the story progresses, we understand how they have differences even tho they both have strong personalities. I got attached to more characters as this story explores relationships further, compared to wstdof which unravelled the world. I'm proud that I saw the reveal coming and constantly reminded myself how humanity should be the core of a revolution instead of the leaders turning into tyrants. Just in awe of how the lovers are possessive of each other and loathe Mateo. I loved reading the war scene and trying to imagine the actions in my head. For a duology, the world-building is fantastic, and I appreciate massive-brained authors... instilling the world of Medio (specifically school) in Dani's pov and La Voz in Carmen's. I'm referring to the fairytale folk-like intro and the handbook rules quotes at the start of each chapter. 
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monicalaurette's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

“But comfortable doesn’t win battles.”

After a long month I was finally able to finish this book after reading We Set the Dark on Fire. Now be warned, this review will not censor spoilers from the first book but will for this book.

So WUtMS is narrated by Carmen Santos, the rebel spy who had been placed in Medio’s School for Girls five years ago to get into the highest ranking family in Medio. To get information and sneak protestors into the city. To help further the mission of La Voz.

And the girl who left Dani Vargas broken, bruised, and burned on a road next to the dead body of her mother-in-law & guards; unsure if the girl would ever return her love, keep her promise, and not betray the rebellion. But with Dani’s loyalty put into question, and the organization she was raised in seemingly changed overnight, Carmen runs BACK into the city where she is a wanted murderer to save her, and save the group she considers family in the process.

While fighting both sides to prove loyalty, love, and support for the cause, many others' stances come into question and friendships are broken, lost, and shot down. But will Carmen be able to unite and tie together La Voz from the attack coming down on them all from her evil ex-husband?

“It makes you worthy of the title rebel.”

I felt like this was such a good conclusion to the story that began with WStDoF. The growth of the characters and the inner turmoil of Carmen was a great piece to see instead of it being in Dani’s view again. To see both sides of the couple. I loved how passionate Carmen was about both Dani and her loyalty to La Voz, showing that you don’t need to have a one-track mind to be successful, and that sometimes having something else worth fighting for along with the bigger picture can help push you farther than expected.

Of course I love a good book about women falling in love as well, but seeing the fight in the relationship that stemmed from the end of book one through all the issues in book two was nice to see. It’s not always going to be a catwalk to be in love, but it makes life so much brighter. That even when they fought, the love that the other felt for each other was what grounded them to the world. Though personally I don’t know how many declarations of love I’d be giving if I knew someone was coming for me with the sole purpose of ending my existence, but that’s what escapism is for!

“But even through all of that, the sun was shining.”

I gave We Unleash the Merciless Sea 4 stars like the first book. While I wish a certain man was not left alive, I’m okay with how he came out of the final battle. I also liked the twist of the La Voz leadership at the end of the book to see a mantel taken up in a new direction than the thousand of years before. And while I’m sad I won’t be able to see Dani & Carmen live on until their ends as a happy couple, I’m glad that I was able to be there while I could.

I knew from the beginning that Ari was a gov’t spy, just not how he knew Mateo. I was theorizing he was like a illegitimate child of Mateo’s father or something
Why did Cielo have to die? Think of the happy life she could have had with that sweet village on the end of the wall that Carmen met. I dislike meeting someone and having them ripped away so soon.
Of course, RIGHT AS I LIKE SOTA he goes and gets shot….not my foxy boy
Carmen getting poison-induced powers over animals or something to attack Mateo was very cool, the Gods saw the fight and were like “here’s some rain and attack crows, go wild my children”
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lindseyhall44's review

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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