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camam4's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual content
tezzarudge's review
3.0
There's parts of this series I really enjoy but there is no denying that I find it a bit of a slog when I don't particular resonate with 1 of the 2 MC
I dont find Ran an appealing character and his story which started so promising seems to be slipping away
I do love the world and in particular the monsters and creatures within. As always we are reminded that's its actually humans who are the worst creatures of them all.
I do intend to finish the series and hope that there will be more dramatic twists and turns to try and reignite the enjoyment I got from book 1
I dont find Ran an appealing character and his story which started so promising seems to be slipping away
I do love the world and in particular the monsters and creatures within. As always we are reminded that's its actually humans who are the worst creatures of them all.
I do intend to finish the series and hope that there will be more dramatic twists and turns to try and reignite the enjoyment I got from book 1
kitvaria_sarene's review
5.0
The first one was already a really good read, but Legacy of Ghosts is another step up!
The characters and world gained a lot more depth, and the whole story felt more immediate and real to me.
I was instantly transported into the world and hardly noticed the real world! How annoying when you have to stop reading and actually do things like working or sleeping...
It's a bit darker and has more magic than book one, and I enjoyed the change.
There's quite some twists and turns that I did not expect, but which kept me on my toes! Some I celebrated, some had me flinch, all had me glued to the story!
It leaves on quite a cliffhanger, so I'm glad to know the third one isn't far away... I want it yesterday preferably!
The characters and world gained a lot more depth, and the whole story felt more immediate and real to me.
I was instantly transported into the world and hardly noticed the real world! How annoying when you have to stop reading and actually do things like working or sleeping...
It's a bit darker and has more magic than book one, and I enjoyed the change.
There's quite some twists and turns that I did not expect, but which kept me on my toes! Some I celebrated, some had me flinch, all had me glued to the story!
It leaves on quite a cliffhanger, so I'm glad to know the third one isn't far away... I want it yesterday preferably!
wdomingue's review
4.0
While the ending of the books leaves a lot to be desired, I did enjoy the meeting of Ranoth and Lidan as well as the ever increasing stakes that show as we move on. Impressed with the series and eager to see the ending.
selinadragonair's review
4.0
I enjoyed the second book in the series, even though the second half was very predictable (at least for me)
Hope book 3 will change that.
Hope book 3 will change that.
dominish_books's review
4.0
Legacy of Ghosts sees us move four years beyond the events of Blood of Heirs and that comes with both positives and negatives. On the plus side, the characters are older, which in Lidan’s case makes it easier for her to get about and get stuck into the storyline in a wider world. On the negative side, there’s a four-year gap where we haven’t seen for ourselves what’s happened and how the overall situation has progressed.
Lidan is definitely a better character here, showing many of the hallmarks of the confident and capable young woman, as well as the kickass warrior, she promised in book one. Meanwhile, Ran has grown to master his magic ability, which for me is the other key progression from Blood of Heirs.
The story still takes a bit of a slow burn, but throughout the whole book you can sense it is building towards something and again making me really eager to see how it all ends in book three.
We see more of the world here and learn more about some of the creatures that inhabit it, including some interesting revelations regarding the monsters that plagued both sets of characters in Blood of Heirs.
With Ran’s increased ability, and four years of tutelage, we are now able to learn a lot more about the magic of this world as well, which also ties up some loose ends from the first book. Now we can see some of the possibilities this brings to Ran, and start to piece together some of the potential pathways ahead in book three.
On its own merits, Legacy of Ghosts is a good read, but, much like with Blood of Heirs, I feel that it will be stronger when considered alongside the first and third books, as each book enhances the experience of the others.
Lidan is definitely a better character here, showing many of the hallmarks of the confident and capable young woman, as well as the kickass warrior, she promised in book one. Meanwhile, Ran has grown to master his magic ability, which for me is the other key progression from Blood of Heirs.
The story still takes a bit of a slow burn, but throughout the whole book you can sense it is building towards something and again making me really eager to see how it all ends in book three.
We see more of the world here and learn more about some of the creatures that inhabit it, including some interesting revelations regarding the monsters that plagued both sets of characters in Blood of Heirs.
With Ran’s increased ability, and four years of tutelage, we are now able to learn a lot more about the magic of this world as well, which also ties up some loose ends from the first book. Now we can see some of the possibilities this brings to Ran, and start to piece together some of the potential pathways ahead in book three.
On its own merits, Legacy of Ghosts is a good read, but, much like with Blood of Heirs, I feel that it will be stronger when considered alongside the first and third books, as each book enhances the experience of the others.
ajokli's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It’s packed to the brim with suspense, action, and anticipation. I feel that this book drew on all of the good things from book one, but with more precision. The characters and their relationships with others and their world are beautifully developed. I feel sad to be done and lonely without them! Totally engrossing. I am very much looking forward to part 3.
grimdark_dad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Slavery, Violence, War, Blood, Alcohol, and Death
fantasybooknerd01's review against another edition
5.0
Shit!
What the hell happened here?
I'm not sure, but I like it!
Alicia Wanstall-Burke certainly ups the ante in Legacy of Ghosts, the breathtaking sequel to Blood of Heirs.
Let me tell you, this review is going to be hard! There are no two ways about it, coz I need to tell you about this book, whilst not spoiling the last book. If I can, I will try to give as much info without spilling too many beans on what came before.
Legacy of Ghosts continues the story of Lidon and Ranoth.
At the end of the last book, Ran found a place where he could exist without persecution, and Lidon had her future irrevocably changed.
Now four years have passed and Lidon is a ranger and Ran is hiding from the world, whilst learning how to use his magic.
I can’t help it, but there is one thing that I am going to spoil for the last one, coz whichever way I look at it I need to mention this point as it has an impact on the story.
As you know, the story follows the points of view of the two main characters, and you would expect that the two storylines would converge. However, Alicia Wanstall-Burke decided to throw that rule book out of the window and maintain the dual storylines well into the second book.
The Legacy of Ghosts follows a pretty similar formula to book 1. We cycle through the points of view every three or four chapters, and when there are major events that have an impact on the plot, they are echoed in the other storyline too.
I really enjoy how this works, and it is always something that I didn't see coming. I tell you, I spend most of the time with my jaw well and truly on the floor. There is always this parallel of events that sets the story in motion, and I am like - Whaaaat? WTF!
Now as I said earlier, Alicia Wanstall Burke ups the ante two fold in this book and whilst the first book had a lot of character building, Legacy of Ghosts felt much more plot focussed due to those initial building blocks.
Now, I know I am being a bit sketchy on plot points coz quite truthfully I want to pique your interest, without spoiling either the first or the second book in the hope that you will pick this one up.
As you can guess, a load of stuff happens in this story. Things get answered, things get revealed. The story moves on etc etc
However, it is the pace at which they keep coming at you, it's like boom - action piece, boom - plot reveal, boom - action piece, boom - here's a dragon, bet you didn't see that coming did ya sucka? (haha)
Throughout the story, there were some plot points that I guessed weren't particularly far off the mark (And let me tell you, I can never usually see things coming, and I know it was only one thing in a book full of things like this, so I am keeping it as a major achievement! So there!). However, this had absolutely no impact on the story because Alicia Wanstall-Burke executed the reveal in such a brilliant way that it left me a bit gobsmacked. Because I read this and listened to this on audio there was always someone thinking that I may be losing the plot coz I was like whoa! Oof! No way! Even the dog was getting a bit worried at points wondering who the heck I was making random exclamations at whilst out on his daily walks! (I lay this wholly at your doorstep AWB)
The magic system comes to the fore a bit more in this book too, as Ranoth's story shows you that he has gained much more control over his powers and is able to use them effectively.
For me, Legacy of Ghosts was an absolutely brilliant second book, and masterfully moves the story along in ways I didn't expect.
So with me telling you all about this book, whilst not telling you anything at all, I bid you adieu!
What the hell happened here?
I'm not sure, but I like it!
Alicia Wanstall-Burke certainly ups the ante in Legacy of Ghosts, the breathtaking sequel to Blood of Heirs.
Let me tell you, this review is going to be hard! There are no two ways about it, coz I need to tell you about this book, whilst not spoiling the last book. If I can, I will try to give as much info without spilling too many beans on what came before.
Legacy of Ghosts continues the story of Lidon and Ranoth.
At the end of the last book, Ran found a place where he could exist without persecution, and Lidon had her future irrevocably changed.
Now four years have passed and Lidon is a ranger and Ran is hiding from the world, whilst learning how to use his magic.
I can’t help it, but there is one thing that I am going to spoil for the last one, coz whichever way I look at it I need to mention this point as it has an impact on the story.
As you know, the story follows the points of view of the two main characters, and you would expect that the two storylines would converge. However, Alicia Wanstall-Burke decided to throw that rule book out of the window and maintain the dual storylines well into the second book.
The Legacy of Ghosts follows a pretty similar formula to book 1. We cycle through the points of view every three or four chapters, and when there are major events that have an impact on the plot, they are echoed in the other storyline too.
I really enjoy how this works, and it is always something that I didn't see coming. I tell you, I spend most of the time with my jaw well and truly on the floor. There is always this parallel of events that sets the story in motion, and I am like - Whaaaat? WTF!
Now as I said earlier, Alicia Wanstall Burke ups the ante two fold in this book and whilst the first book had a lot of character building, Legacy of Ghosts felt much more plot focussed due to those initial building blocks.
Now, I know I am being a bit sketchy on plot points coz quite truthfully I want to pique your interest, without spoiling either the first or the second book in the hope that you will pick this one up.
As you can guess, a load of stuff happens in this story. Things get answered, things get revealed. The story moves on etc etc
However, it is the pace at which they keep coming at you, it's like boom - action piece, boom - plot reveal, boom - action piece, boom - here's a dragon, bet you didn't see that coming did ya sucka? (haha)
Throughout the story, there were some plot points that I guessed weren't particularly far off the mark (And let me tell you, I can never usually see things coming, and I know it was only one thing in a book full of things like this, so I am keeping it as a major achievement! So there!). However, this had absolutely no impact on the story because Alicia Wanstall-Burke executed the reveal in such a brilliant way that it left me a bit gobsmacked. Because I read this and listened to this on audio there was always someone thinking that I may be losing the plot coz I was like whoa! Oof! No way! Even the dog was getting a bit worried at points wondering who the heck I was making random exclamations at whilst out on his daily walks! (I lay this wholly at your doorstep AWB)
The magic system comes to the fore a bit more in this book too, as Ranoth's story shows you that he has gained much more control over his powers and is able to use them effectively.
For me, Legacy of Ghosts was an absolutely brilliant second book, and masterfully moves the story along in ways I didn't expect.
So with me telling you all about this book, whilst not telling you anything at all, I bid you adieu!