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amybraunauthor's review
5.0
I was thrilled to come back into this series and experience the adventures of Nedra and Grey. The story closed on a suitable note and allowed for plenty of character growth, while adding a larger world, more romance, and some surprises! All of which led to emotional and nail-biting climax.
The story moved at an even pace and both Grey and Nedra were able to develop. While Grey learned more about the darker side of the world and became lost in his righteousness, Nedra was slowly consumed by her monumental power. Both of they journeys suited their characters and arcs. There were some side characters who appeared briefly and who I would have liked to know more of and some relationships that were closed a little quickly, but I found them all to be reasonable.
The best relationships were of course between Nedra and Grey. The dialogue was fantastic and I felt like they were real people. I loved the magic and lore and devices that added to Nedra's power and truly made her a force to be reckoned with.
I've had such a great time reading this series and recommend it to anyone looking to read a dark fantasy with a strong female lead!
The story moved at an even pace and both Grey and Nedra were able to develop. While Grey learned more about the darker side of the world and became lost in his righteousness, Nedra was slowly consumed by her monumental power. Both of they journeys suited their characters and arcs. There were some side characters who appeared briefly and who I would have liked to know more of and some relationships that were closed a little quickly, but I found them all to be reasonable.
The best relationships were of course between Nedra and Grey. The dialogue was fantastic and I felt like they were real people. I loved the magic and lore and devices that added to Nedra's power and truly made her a force to be reckoned with.
I've had such a great time reading this series and recommend it to anyone looking to read a dark fantasy with a strong female lead!
bibliophilebindings's review
4.0
This book was good! I like seeing the chemistry between Nedra and Grey and how it was affected by the events of book one. It was complex and I loved the tension yet yearning. It hurt my heart and I wanted more.
I was surprised that elements considered to be important in other books weren't as important in this one. For example,. It took me by surprise and I honestly think that is one of my favorite things about the book.
I read the first book a long time ago, and I didn't reread it before picking up the second book. I was thrilled to find I didn't need to. The second book has a good enough overview and goes over the past important events very well without bombarding you with past information. I don't tend to like rereading books to prepare for the next book because I have other books I'd like to get through too. I do recommend reading the first book though if you have the time. I was confused on a couple of things because I didn't remember them, but I remembered the ending of the last book well enough and that was all I really needed.
I loved seeing the magic play out and how it works. It expands on the magic a little bit.
The ending was fairly predictable, but I loooved it. Very satisfied and I will forever and always recommend this duology. It is a must read!!
I was surprised that elements considered to be important in other books weren't as important in this one. For example,
Spoiler
in other books, rebels tend to be a big part, especially because the main character tends to band with them. In this book, Nedra and Grey aren't associated with the. They have their own agenda and things they are working through and figuring outI read the first book a long time ago, and I didn't reread it before picking up the second book. I was thrilled to find I didn't need to. The second book has a good enough overview and goes over the past important events very well without bombarding you with past information. I don't tend to like rereading books to prepare for the next book because I have other books I'd like to get through too. I do recommend reading the first book though if you have the time. I was confused on a couple of things because I didn't remember them, but I remembered the ending of the last book well enough and that was all I really needed.
I loved seeing the magic play out and how it works. It expands on the magic a little bit.
The ending was fairly predictable, but I loooved it. Very satisfied and I will forever and always recommend this duology. It is a must read!!
naaytaashreads's review against another edition
3.0
“Power was passion. That hunger - it was desire. A voracious need and longing to consume, to become one.”
I really love the first book but sadly I didn't love the sequel as much as I did with the first one.
I love the storyline, I love the characters but I feel like the story was so just rushed and the ending was so abrupt.
I feel like there was still so much room for stories to share and the plot to thicken.
The character growth was so subtle when it was so hype out with the first book.
I hate Grey's character. I feel like his character was going nowhere.
I thought he could do so much more with the knowledge and personality he has.
I love Nedra's character although sometimes I want to knock her head with the things she assumes and the thoughts she thinks is right.
But she is badass and I feel like she is the only one with character growth.
I do feel like the author could show much more of her potential with the things she have like her connection with her past, her family and her village.
I feel like the villain of the book was perfect. We saw it coming but at the same time the plot twist was good too.
The ending was so rush, when I read it I am like wait what this is the end?
I still enjoyed the series!
“Perhaps the only thing worse than fear is apathy. Fear makes us do horrible things to people. Apathy makes us allow horrible things to happen to them.”
I really love the first book but sadly I didn't love the sequel as much as I did with the first one.
I love the storyline, I love the characters but I feel like the story was so just rushed and the ending was so abrupt.
I feel like there was still so much room for stories to share and the plot to thicken.
The character growth was so subtle when it was so hype out with the first book.
I hate Grey's character. I feel like his character was going nowhere.
I thought he could do so much more with the knowledge and personality he has.
I love Nedra's character although sometimes I want to knock her head with the things she assumes and the thoughts she thinks is right.
But she is badass and I feel like she is the only one with character growth.
I do feel like the author could show much more of her potential with the things she have like her connection with her past, her family and her village.
I feel like the villain of the book was perfect. We saw it coming but at the same time the plot twist was good too.
The ending was so rush, when I read it I am like wait what this is the end?
I still enjoyed the series!
“Perhaps the only thing worse than fear is apathy. Fear makes us do horrible things to people. Apathy makes us allow horrible things to happen to them.”
saphsel's review
3.0
Hm Loved the first book but had a really hard time getting through this. The ending felt a bit rushed unfortunatlly.
daniella84's review against another edition
3.0
*spoilers*
Maybe 2.5
Like the first book, this one felt like not much happened until right at the end. Grey had more to do in this book but it was kind of boring? And I didn't get the sense that he had really learnt anything because he was still doing everything for Nedra not the people? I think their dynamic was a bit better in this book - I liked how he was still sticking to his "necromancy is not cool" vibe, he was polite etc but it just seemed like a lot of back and forth over the same stuff which got old pretty quick.
Just generally I got a bit lost with the point of this book. It explored issues like colonialism, morality, power, apathy and grief, which are all really interesting, but there wasn't really any subtlety to it. A lot of this book was just Nedra/Grey going over to themselves how things are and how it makes them feel, and some good points/lessons came out of it but it was all told and not shown. Everything just kind of meandered along, points/ideas would be brought up and then forgotten for a bit and then they'd come back later, Nedra especially seemed always to be chopping and changing.
The ending with Wellebourne was cool, how eventually she did have to give up everything to defeat him, how he was really playing the long game, but this happened like 15 pages from the end! It was by far the most action in the whole book and it was solved pretty simply? Especially because it took two books to get to this point, I wished there were more parts like this! The parts about trying to revitalise the north, how the capital is so much more well off, appropriating religion for profit etc. were all realistic but it just wasn't what I was hoping to read about when I picked up a book about a necromancer and a plague :(
Nedra's journey was neat to follow, seeing her become an anti-hero and lose herself to Wellebourne's dark power, but I feel it would have worked better as a standalone.
Maybe 2.5
Like the first book, this one felt like not much happened until right at the end. Grey had more to do in this book but it was kind of boring? And I didn't get the sense that he had really learnt anything because he was still doing everything for Nedra not the people? I think their dynamic was a bit better in this book - I liked how he was still sticking to his "necromancy is not cool" vibe, he was polite etc but it just seemed like a lot of back and forth over the same stuff which got old pretty quick.
Just generally I got a bit lost with the point of this book. It explored issues like colonialism, morality, power, apathy and grief, which are all really interesting, but there wasn't really any subtlety to it. A lot of this book was just Nedra/Grey going over to themselves how things are and how it makes them feel, and some good points/lessons came out of it but it was all told and not shown. Everything just kind of meandered along, points/ideas would be brought up and then forgotten for a bit and then they'd come back later, Nedra especially seemed always to be chopping and changing.
The ending with Wellebourne was cool, how eventually she did have to give up everything to defeat him, how he was really playing the long game, but this happened like 15 pages from the end! It was by far the most action in the whole book and it was solved pretty simply? Especially because it took two books to get to this point, I wished there were more parts like this! The parts about trying to revitalise the north, how the capital is so much more well off, appropriating religion for profit etc. were all realistic but it just wasn't what I was hoping to read about when I picked up a book about a necromancer and a plague :(
Nedra's journey was neat to follow, seeing her become an anti-hero and lose herself to Wellebourne's dark power, but I feel it would have worked better as a standalone.
thismagicbookshelf's review
4.0
"You can burn fear away after every nightmare you've ever had comes true."
This is book two in Beth Revis’ Give The Dark My Love duology. I think this book might have even been better than the first!
Nedra's story continues as she pushes forward in her thirst for knowledge and protection of those she loves. There isn't a lot I can say without spoiling the first book aside from saying that this was a dark story. Nedra's life isn't an easy one.
I highly recommend this series!!
This is book two in Beth Revis’ Give The Dark My Love duology. I think this book might have even been better than the first!
Nedra's story continues as she pushes forward in her thirst for knowledge and protection of those she loves. There isn't a lot I can say without spoiling the first book aside from saying that this was a dark story. Nedra's life isn't an easy one.
I highly recommend this series!!
alyram4's review
3.0
It was ok? I felt like there was so much not happening for most of the book. I like the characters, and I grew to love Grey more, but man I was bored. It sucks because I really liked the first book, but this one wasn't what I expected.
kayu99's review
4.0
I enjoyed this sequel more than the first book. I loved the portrayal of Nedra and Grey clashing, the misunderstandings and how they both needed to learn/have experiences before they could truly understand the other's perspective. The politics and intrigue also contributed to the plot and overall message. The climax and conclusion were well-done and a satisfying end.