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weisstars's review against another edition
3.0
hmm... i had given book 1 the rating of 5 stars, for context. the thing is, i have quite a fondness for this series so far and i have been enjoying the continuation of something i care so deeply about.
however, i have to say, this sequel is a little bit more... umm... like... boring? things don't really happen until you're in the last stretch of the book. it also switches pov a LOT in this book, and that's generally a turn-off for me in books unless the author can pull it off. unfortunately, it just didn't keep my engagement or attention when it kept switching off of karou's perspective, so i have to say that it was not pulled off. i felt like it took me out of the tension and was giving me too much information about the plot. i'd have preferred to have been blindsided and learn everything as kaoru does, instead of knowing everything omnisciently. i don't hate that it's that way, but it's just not something i liked.
i did love the ziri content we were getting in this book. i felt that was interesting. i also loved seeing karou vs madrigal descriptions. i feel like akiva is just kind of weird in this book, though, if i'm perfectly honest. sometimes his characterization and motivations don't line up too well. i also felt like the introduction of zu and mik took a little too long. this book could've been shorter by at least 100 pages in my opinion and still get everything it wanted to get out perfectly.
despite the flaws, i still kinda liked it (due to my fondness). wasn't expecting the noncon near the end, however, so if anyone sees this for whatever reason, just be aware of that trigger.
however, i have to say, this sequel is a little bit more... umm... like... boring? things don't really happen until you're in the last stretch of the book. it also switches pov a LOT in this book, and that's generally a turn-off for me in books unless the author can pull it off. unfortunately, it just didn't keep my engagement or attention when it kept switching off of karou's perspective, so i have to say that it was not pulled off. i felt like it took me out of the tension and was giving me too much information about the plot. i'd have preferred to have been blindsided and learn everything as kaoru does, instead of knowing everything omnisciently. i don't hate that it's that way, but it's just not something i liked.
i did love the ziri content we were getting in this book. i felt that was interesting. i also loved seeing karou vs madrigal descriptions. i feel like akiva is just kind of weird in this book, though, if i'm perfectly honest. sometimes his characterization and motivations don't line up too well. i also felt like the introduction of zu and mik took a little too long. this book could've been shorter by at least 100 pages in my opinion and still get everything it wanted to get out perfectly.
despite the flaws, i still kinda liked it (due to my fondness). wasn't expecting the noncon near the end, however, so if anyone sees this for whatever reason, just be aware of that trigger.
ohtrisarahtops's review against another edition
5.0
This review can also be found here
It's no secret that I fell in love with Daughter of Smoke & Bone last year, it even made it onto my top reads of 2012 list, but this one just added a whole new layer to this series. It's so dark and different from Daughter of Smoke & Bone but fans of this series will be sure to love it none the less.
I was petrified to start this one, after the way the first book ended I had the worst ideas as to what Laini Taylor was going to do. Thankfully I was wrong but this book is still pretty difficult. There is a lot more killing and blood shed than in the first one and it's just so dark, but still unbelievably magical.
This time around we get to see how the characters act through different eyes: such as Zuzana and Mik's as well as Ziri and Akiva's. This added a great aspect to the book and I really enjoyed seeing things from different characters.
I kept praying that Karou and Akiva would work everything out and just be together, but seeing how they were apart for most of the book I was pretty sad. There are parts when they seem to be growing close again but then something happens and it is forced away. Hopefully the next one will provide us with a little more Karou/Akiva.
The writing is still magical and amazing. Laini Taylor is a master and no matter what she's writing whether it was sweet and fully of magic like Daughter of Smoke & Bone or dark and gritty like Days of Blood & Starlight, she can pull it off flawlessly.
If you were a fan of the first you definitely need to check this one out right away. It is darker but it still provides you with a sense of hope even when everything seems like it is falling apart. I will be waiting not so patiently for the next installment of this series which comes out next year.
It's no secret that I fell in love with Daughter of Smoke & Bone last year, it even made it onto my top reads of 2012 list, but this one just added a whole new layer to this series. It's so dark and different from Daughter of Smoke & Bone but fans of this series will be sure to love it none the less.
I was petrified to start this one, after the way the first book ended I had the worst ideas as to what Laini Taylor was going to do. Thankfully I was wrong but this book is still pretty difficult. There is a lot more killing and blood shed than in the first one and it's just so dark, but still unbelievably magical.
This time around we get to see how the characters act through different eyes: such as Zuzana and Mik's as well as Ziri and Akiva's. This added a great aspect to the book and I really enjoyed seeing things from different characters.
I kept praying that Karou and Akiva would work everything out and just be together, but seeing how they were apart for most of the book I was pretty sad. There are parts when they seem to be growing close again but then something happens and it is forced away. Hopefully the next one will provide us with a little more Karou/Akiva.
The writing is still magical and amazing. Laini Taylor is a master and no matter what she's writing whether it was sweet and fully of magic like Daughter of Smoke & Bone or dark and gritty like Days of Blood & Starlight, she can pull it off flawlessly.
If you were a fan of the first you definitely need to check this one out right away. It is darker but it still provides you with a sense of hope even when everything seems like it is falling apart. I will be waiting not so patiently for the next installment of this series which comes out next year.
zepeng's review against another edition
DNF
Jumping in, I already know that this book is all about damage control and also the buildup towards the final showdown for book three. I am prepared for the plot to be boring and slow-paced, but I become more and more disinterested as the story goes. When the plot is barely moving, characters are the pillar that encourages me to trudge on. Unfortunately, there are too many POVs going on, with an array of new characters that only focuses on their actions and barely their emotions. I would be somewhat satisfied if I can see what schemes will the MCs pull off, but 100 pages in and nothing exciting is going on. Perhaps my expectation is a bit high to begin with, that's why I found it quite disappointing and uninterested. Maybe I'll pick it up again next time.
Jumping in, I already know that this book is all about damage control and also the buildup towards the final showdown for book three. I am prepared for the plot to be boring and slow-paced, but I become more and more disinterested as the story goes. When the plot is barely moving, characters are the pillar that encourages me to trudge on. Unfortunately, there are too many POVs going on, with an array of new characters that only focuses on their actions and barely their emotions. I would be somewhat satisfied if I can see what schemes will the MCs pull off, but 100 pages in and nothing exciting is going on. Perhaps my expectation is a bit high to begin with, that's why I found it quite disappointing and uninterested. Maybe I'll pick it up again next time.
ruhi_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
heavyhearts's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Fucking epic. But its a bit hard to read, because the air of hopelessness... the tension... the war. But its so fucking epic. This might be the first high fantasy trilogy that I will complete and I already want more.
hurrikanekathrina's review against another edition
5.0
This book.
This..Book.
*deep breaths*
Me pretty much every scene with Akiva:
My poor, beautiful, precious little baby!
I've suffered enough, Laini Talyor! I really have! You made me feel all my feels and I'm done. I can't handle it anymore! Please just let me have a book filled with infinite happiness, where I can just through Karou and Akiva on a meadow of happiness, where they can roll around in flowers and love and baby kittens and little puppies and sunshine!! PLEAAAAAASE!!!!!
No, but seriously, the writing style is fantastic, absolutely magnificent in a way that doesn't seem forced. Laini Taylor just effortlessly creates a breathtaking, violent, dark world filled with amazing characters and beautiful fantasy!
One of the best books I have ever read in my life. Hands down!
This..Book.
*deep breaths*
Me pretty much every scene with Akiva:
My poor, beautiful, precious little baby!
I've suffered enough, Laini Talyor! I really have! You made me feel all my feels and I'm done. I can't handle it anymore! Please just let me have a book filled with infinite happiness, where I can just through Karou and Akiva on a meadow of happiness, where they can roll around in flowers and love and baby kittens and little puppies and sunshine!! PLEAAAAAASE!!!!!
No, but seriously, the writing style is fantastic, absolutely magnificent in a way that doesn't seem forced. Laini Taylor just effortlessly creates a breathtaking, violent, dark world filled with amazing characters and beautiful fantasy!
One of the best books I have ever read in my life. Hands down!
angelica_ap's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
jocelyntaylor1's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0