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A review by queer_bookwyrm
The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, cannibalism, death, descriptions of corpses
The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco is the second and final book in the Never-Tilting World duology. This was a great second book! So many second books of a duology tend to be disappointing or more flat than the first book, but this one was just as exciting and engaging as the first.
We pick up after the events of last book with Haidee and Odessa teaming up with Arjun's clan as all the desert clans get together to figure out how to survive in this new world. The Galla that were after Odessa are coming back in full force, but she still refuses the 7th Gall's gift. Not only do they have the demons to contend with, they now have to deal with their mother's fighting instead of working together.
We get some wonderful growth from both Haidee and Odessa, together and apart. We also get to learn more about Latona and Asteria's relationship before The Breaking and why the Breaking happened. We get themes on how a little compassion goes a long way, as is evident in the Twins' treatment of the Saiga clan. We also get themes on environmentalism, stewardship, and conservation.
I loved the dynamic between Arjun and Lan in this book. They both realize they are in love with fools of goddesses. Both of their vibes are "don't do the thing," and then The twins do the thing as Arjun and Lan run after them. Noelle was a secret aroace badass in this book and I wanted so much more from her. As with the last book, Chupeco includes talk therapy as a treatment for PTSD and has many discussions around mental health. I love the inclusion of this and other disabilities throughout the book.
I just love Rin's writing so much. Their world-building is so good. I only wish there was another book!
The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco is the second and final book in the Never-Tilting World duology. This was a great second book! So many second books of a duology tend to be disappointing or more flat than the first book, but this one was just as exciting and engaging as the first.
We pick up after the events of last book with Haidee and Odessa teaming up with Arjun's clan as all the desert clans get together to figure out how to survive in this new world. The Galla that were after Odessa are coming back in full force, but she still refuses the 7th Gall's gift. Not only do they have the demons to contend with, they now have to deal with their mother's fighting instead of working together.
We get some wonderful growth from both Haidee and Odessa, together and apart. We also get to learn more about Latona and Asteria's relationship before The Breaking and why the Breaking happened. We get themes on how a little compassion goes a long way, as is evident in the Twins' treatment of the Saiga clan. We also get themes on environmentalism, stewardship, and conservation.
I loved the dynamic between Arjun and Lan in this book. They both realize they are in love with fools of goddesses. Both of their vibes are "don't do the thing," and then The twins do the thing as Arjun and Lan run after them. Noelle was a secret aroace badass in this book and I wanted so much more from her. As with the last book, Chupeco includes talk therapy as a treatment for PTSD and has many discussions around mental health. I love the inclusion of this and other disabilities throughout the book.
I just love Rin's writing so much. Their world-building is so good. I only wish there was another book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Cannibalism