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danysgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Murder, Sexism, Rape, Racism, Misogyny, Violence, Cursing, Drug abuse, Slavery, Kidnapping, Colonisation, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, and Hate crime
mamatrauma's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, War, Torture, Murder, Gaslighting, Car accident, Grief, Violence, Death, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
charliebites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Racism, War, and Hate crime
Moderate: Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, and Vomit
spicycronereads's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Bree’s story continues to evolve, and we see her grow in confidence, skill, and self-awareness. She struggles with being a Scion but starts to come into her own. Her connection to Selwyn also continues to evolve as they deal with events, with Nick still missing. Nick continues to be the perfect boyfriend, even from captivity.
Many of the things that I loved about the first book continue in this one: Bree dealing with the racial legacy of the order and UNC; the rich diversity of the characters and their relationships, the very cool magic system, and so forth. There were some jaw-dropping moments. And some laugh out loud moments. And some heart-pumping action moments. And some moments I couldn’t keep the tears from falling.
It was great to see Alice become more central to the narrative. There are some charming new characters, like Valechaz. and then there are some really horrible new characters that you want to punch in the face. Looking at you, Erebus.
The plot and storyline are a little bit looser in this one. We have the introduction of new villains with new motivations that kind of dilute the focus a little bit. I found myself confused about what was happening from time to time, and I don’t think that was the author’s intention. I’m hoping that in the next novel things tighten up a bit.
I decided to stop rating chili peppers on books like this that are clearly not meant to be spicy. So I am rating it with hearts instead. There is lots of pining and kissing in this one. Five out of five hearts. 💖💖💖💖💖
Overall it was a great read. 4.25 ⭐️ and 5 💖. I can’t wait for book 3, which I think is not coming until early next year 😭
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Racism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Torture and Sexual content
ashtonfinnie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Grief, Gaslighting, Racism, Slavery, and Kidnapping
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Colonisation, Slavery, Racism, and Gaslighting
gabriella_'s review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Tracy Deonn one-ups herself in this sequel book. This book further expands on characterizing her central cast while also giving other (more background) characters a chance in the limelight. She developed a core ensemble cast that feels compelling and stand-alone. This book made me cry, especially when
More random things I love about this book that didn’t seem to have a place for me to write them in this review:
- The rest of the cast - especially Selwyn - tugs at my heartstrings.
- Tracy Deonn’s dream sequences are an amazing exploration of themes that are relevant later in the book and offer a refreshing way to engage with old magic.
- The descriptive settings!!
- The use of LANGUAGE. Ugh. CARIAD!
- The men in this book have a “written by a woman” charm. Well, the men that matter do, at least.
I love the way this author lays the groundwork for future plot twists - she has a gift for finding a way to keep the reader on their toes without insulting their intelligence AND while still making the twists believable. Some you can see coming - but that’s a credit to her foreshadowing.
I just want to keep gushing about this book because honestly it left me soooo hungry for the next book in this series!
Graphic: Confinement, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Gore, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Slavery, Blood, Body horror, Death, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Grief, Physical abuse, Stalking, War, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Child death, Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Torture
awkwardimagination's review against another edition
- 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
The amount of pain and trauma every single character has gone through in this book is absurd. Just bc the first one had more deaths doesn't make this one any better.
Because this is the second book all the characters are coming into their own more and becoming more loveable.
I'm still not onboard the Sel and Bree train, I wish they would be platonic like Will and Bree, but they are well written I'll give them that.
I'm looking forward to the next book, I need to know how this turns out.
Graphic: Kidnapping and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Rape, Violence, Sexism, Torture, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Medical trauma, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Car accident, Child abuse, and Death
jadorereadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, War, and Gaslighting
shaipanda's review against another edition
- 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
Truly one of the best series I’ve ever read and worth every bit of hype it’s gotten and more imo :)
Is definitely a darker and more violent book/series at times tho so recommend checking trigger warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Racism, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: War, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Death, Rape, Torture, Toxic friendship, Slavery, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Abandonment