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illbefinealone's review
4.0
Copy received through NetGalley.
A great sequel, I must say. I enjoyed the new POVs to the story, they were quite well-written, they were easy to differentiate. The plot was interesting, I love fast paced novels.
With only few moments that I disliked, this was a great read.
A great sequel, I must say. I enjoyed the new POVs to the story, they were quite well-written, they were easy to differentiate. The plot was interesting, I love fast paced novels.
With only few moments that I disliked, this was a great read.
amcdermaid's review
3.0
I must admit, I didn't notice this book was the second to a series as I had requested an arc via netgalley. But thankfully that didn't matter, because I didn't realize until halfway in and this book works just fine on its own!
Now, the whole plot is extremely investing as why I really wanted to read this! I find the whole dream world to be super cool. I love my fantasy books! The different point of views for each chapter was a nice layout. I like how this book was easy to follow along and each POV corresponded with each other time wise.
The book is pretty fast paced and it doesn't really drag out so I really liked that. Only 3 stars from me cause I personally expected more, and while reading hoped for other things to happen. But overall good book, reading alone or along with the series is just fine. :)
Now, the whole plot is extremely investing as why I really wanted to read this! I find the whole dream world to be super cool. I love my fantasy books! The different point of views for each chapter was a nice layout. I like how this book was easy to follow along and each POV corresponded with each other time wise.
The book is pretty fast paced and it doesn't really drag out so I really liked that. Only 3 stars from me cause I personally expected more, and while reading hoped for other things to happen. But overall good book, reading alone or along with the series is just fine. :)
racheledwards's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
spencerhillpress's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
authorheatherw's review
I LOVED the first book in this series, but I'm finding it hard to connect with the characters in this one. I may go back to it later, but haven't been able to read through it just yet. Would still read more from the author, this one just isn't working for me. No rating.
ruthsic's review
4.0
Nadette Lawson knows when you’re lying.
Every night for the past two years, the Balasura have visited her dreams, enticing her to enter their world. And every night she’s seen through their lies. Now, they’re tired of playing in the shadows and they begin to stalk her in the waking world. It’s no longer just an invitation; if Nadette doesn’t join them, they’ll take her family. Forever. She needs help, and the haven she’s seeking may be just out of reach.
Julian Teagan is a master of deception.
To survive, he has to convince the world his mother isn’t useless, that everything’s fine, otherwise he’ll lose what little he has left in this life. He knows the lying won’t be enough to keep him and his mother in the shadows, but it’s all he knows. The only light of truth is Orane, a Balasura who sees past Julian’s facade and challenges him to face the darkness.
Then Orane is killed, and Julian learns his mentor was far from innocent. The Balasura have hunted children like him for centuries, and their next target, Nadette is his one chance at finally being a part of something real. If Julian can just convince her to trust him…
The timeline of Deadly Sweet Lies overlaps with that of Sing Sweet Nightingale, and a lot of events happening result from there. So, I had to do a little skimming through the previous one (my faulty memory) to get a feel of the characters again. This book focuses on Nadette and Julian, the two teens mentioned in the climax of the previous to have run away from their respective homes. Both are on the run from the Balasura, towards a safe haven in New York. Julian has the ability of deception and Nadette can spot a lie, so it is interesting in how their friendship develops.
Julian has been sent to aid her to get to the safe haven, which when they reach turns out to be not that welcoming. The people there are all quite young, living in fear of any attack, and the appearance of these two sets them on edge. Slowly, however, they learn to become a family, which is definitely what Julian needed after his horrible childhood - taking care of an alcoholic mother, and growing up to take care of the house. Nadette, meanwhile, has always been a little different, and is a bit lonely because of it. The writing, however, failed a bit in making their voices distinct; they sounded the same, and at times I had to backtrack to see who was the narrator.
This book gets point for diversity in sexuality, with a gay and an asexual character given importance with respects to romance. The friendships that Julian develops are also a beautiful thing, because he never had the chance to do so before. Mariella and Hudson both make an appearance towards the end and play some part in moving the plot along. The ending, however, was a bit abrupt. It seemed unnatural, and rushed, but overall, the book was good.
Received a free galley from Spencer Hill Press via Netgalley; this does not influence my opinion or the review.
Every night for the past two years, the Balasura have visited her dreams, enticing her to enter their world. And every night she’s seen through their lies. Now, they’re tired of playing in the shadows and they begin to stalk her in the waking world. It’s no longer just an invitation; if Nadette doesn’t join them, they’ll take her family. Forever. She needs help, and the haven she’s seeking may be just out of reach.
Julian Teagan is a master of deception.
To survive, he has to convince the world his mother isn’t useless, that everything’s fine, otherwise he’ll lose what little he has left in this life. He knows the lying won’t be enough to keep him and his mother in the shadows, but it’s all he knows. The only light of truth is Orane, a Balasura who sees past Julian’s facade and challenges him to face the darkness.
Then Orane is killed, and Julian learns his mentor was far from innocent. The Balasura have hunted children like him for centuries, and their next target, Nadette is his one chance at finally being a part of something real. If Julian can just convince her to trust him…
The timeline of Deadly Sweet Lies overlaps with that of Sing Sweet Nightingale, and a lot of events happening result from there. So, I had to do a little skimming through the previous one (my faulty memory) to get a feel of the characters again. This book focuses on Nadette and Julian, the two teens mentioned in the climax of the previous to have run away from their respective homes. Both are on the run from the Balasura, towards a safe haven in New York. Julian has the ability of deception and Nadette can spot a lie, so it is interesting in how their friendship develops.
Julian has been sent to aid her to get to the safe haven, which when they reach turns out to be not that welcoming. The people there are all quite young, living in fear of any attack, and the appearance of these two sets them on edge. Slowly, however, they learn to become a family, which is definitely what Julian needed after his horrible childhood - taking care of an alcoholic mother, and growing up to take care of the house. Nadette, meanwhile, has always been a little different, and is a bit lonely because of it. The writing, however, failed a bit in making their voices distinct; they sounded the same, and at times I had to backtrack to see who was the narrator.
This book gets point for diversity in sexuality, with a gay and an asexual character given importance with respects to romance. The friendships that Julian develops are also a beautiful thing, because he never had the chance to do so before. Mariella and Hudson both make an appearance towards the end and play some part in moving the plot along. The ending, however, was a bit abrupt. It seemed unnatural, and rushed, but overall, the book was good.
Received a free galley from Spencer Hill Press via Netgalley; this does not influence my opinion or the review.
trinielf's review
4.0
i really liked book 1 in this series and same with the second book. most importantly we get an asexual main character, which is so important! i almost screamed at that ending cuz ahhhhh well you'll have to see for yourself.
and i need book 3 right away!
and i need book 3 right away!
alys's review
3.0
I liked the world-building in this book, and the use and function of the powers was interesting. But I could see from the beginning that Pheodora was bad news, and I had a hard time believing that Julian - distrustful, master liar Julian - did not have even a slight suspicion until the end, particularly after Orane's betrayal. I'm also surprised that in 15 years, no one has come to the same conclusions about Aisling that I came to instantly upon meeting her. Not even one person? I was also annoyed by the cliffhanger ending. I know this is increasingly a thing, but it still bugs me. I should want to read your next book because this one was compelling, not because this story is utterly unfinished. So a solid fantasy book, but one that ultimately disappointed because I feel like it could have been more.
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