this book is way too long for a third installment that isnt the conclusion. over 1000 pages is insane. it definitely could have used some better editithis book is way too long for a third installment that isnt the conclusion. over 1000 pages is insane. it definitely could have used some better editing revisions to take out the unnecessary filler scenes and make the narrative tighter and more succinct.
buuuut holy smokes - the creativity of the plot! in terms of storyline, this is for sure the best book in the series. i found myself much more interested and invested in the plot this time around, mainly because im not the biggest fan of journey stories, which is what the first two books were. the quest is on pause in this installment and we get much more court politicking, swoon-worthy bond magic, heartwarming character development and exciting moments that will both heal and shatter your soul.
the ending of this is absolutely wild and had me on the edge of my seat. i am dying to read the next book, which is something i havent felt yet with this series, so things are definitely looking up!
↠4.5 stars
Merged review:
this book is way too long for a third installment that isnt the conclusion. over 1000 pages is insane. it definitely could have used some better editing revisions to take out the unnecessary filler scenes and make the narrative tighter and more succinct.
buuuut holy smokes - the creativity of the plot! in terms of storyline, this is for sure the best book in the series. i found myself much more interested and invested in the plot this time around, mainly because im not the biggest fan of journey stories, which is what the first two books were. the quest is on pause in this installment and we get much more court politicking, swoon-worthy bond magic, heartwarming character development and exciting moments that will both heal and shatter your soul.
the ending of this is absolutely wild and had me on the edge of my seat. i am dying to read the next book, which is something i havent felt yet with this series, so things are definitely looking up!
once i read the first page of this book, i knew reading it would be a huge gamble.
the first page is “how to read this book” and, as someone who getsonce i read the first page of this book, i knew reading it would be a huge gamble.
the first page is “how to read this book” and, as someone who gets anxiety when making major decisions, i knew a “choose your own adventure” type novel would not be the best thing for me. especially one that revolves around helping a women relive her life and changing her past to choose a more perfect future. reading this sounding like a personal recipe for disaster.
buuuut PS is an auto-read author for me, so i figured if i was going to read a “choose your own adventure,” PS is the only author i would trust enough to not only make it work, but also make it enjoyable. and i was sorta right.
is this style of novel for me? nope - i should have trusted my gut on that one. but that didnt really let me down. the whole concept is fascinating and i do like what PS chose to do with it. the story is an interesting blend of genres and i can totally see where PS started her idea and where she wanted it to end up, which i think she succeeded in achieving. and while not for me, i do think the interactive element is unique and most readers not prone to anxiety should have fun with it.
so a fascinating idea and execution, i just wish i personally clicked with it more.
again, i hate these covers, but this is another decent addition to the forgotten brotherhood series. i love when a series is a collection of independeagain, i hate these covers, but this is another decent addition to the forgotten brotherhood series. i love when a series is a collection of independent stories set within the same world that can be read as standalones. this compliments the other two books nicely and effectively adds to the previous developments.
although these two new MCs are not my favourite, i really liked learning more about the vampires and enjoyed the world-building surrounding them. my only slight problem would be the major case of insta-love present. i get that lust and attraction can be immediate, and thats fine, but its a personal pet-peeve when characters are saying ‘i love you’ practically the day after meeting. its just a bit unbelievable for me, personally.
but this installment is fun and entertaining and the perfect scratch for my paranormal itch.
a massive thanks to entangled publishing for the ARC!!
↠3.5 stars
Merged review:
again, i hate these covers, but this is another decent addition to the forgotten brotherhood series. i love when a series is a collection of independent stories set within the same world that can be read as standalones. this compliments the other two books nicely and effectively adds to the previous developments.
although these two new MCs are not my favourite, i really liked learning more about the vampires and enjoyed the world-building surrounding them. my only slight problem would be the major case of insta-love present. i get that lust and attraction can be immediate, and thats fine, but its a personal pet-peeve when characters are saying ‘i love you’ practically the day after meeting. its just a bit unbelievable for me, personally.
but this installment is fun and entertaining and the perfect scratch for my paranormal itch.
a massive thanks to entangled publishing for the ARC!!
i genuinely had no idea this is a companion story to LRs“these hollowed vows”duology. i only saw it was a newer release and picked it up, knowing ii genuinely had no idea this is a companion story to LRs“these hollowed vows”duology. i only saw it was a newer release and picked it up, knowing i would enjoy it. so i was super surprised to find out this is set in the same world, has the same characters, and takes place two years later.
did i enjoy this as much as“these hollow vows?”no, not really. i didnt connect to any of the characters as much as i did with brie and finn, i found some of the writing to be super forced and trying too hard, and the ending was too abrupt and didnt shock me (in a good way) like the other one did.
but was this an enjoyable read? yeah, of course. i liked the dual POVs and how, even though each MC is on a separate mission, they complement and connect to each other. i also think the story is pretty entertaining and does a great job at expanding a previously created world and moving along a previously woven plot.
so readers who loved the“these hollow vows”duology will definitely enjoy this. but, if you have havent read the series, this may not be more than just your average romantasy novel.
my main critique about the last SK book i read was that it very obviously felt like a debut book, very basic/surface-level. but now, after reading thimy main critique about the last SK book i read was that it very obviously felt like a debut book, very basic/surface-level. but now, after reading this, im wondering if it was just because it was a YA story and it put too much restraint on SKs writing.
because this book doesnt even feel like the same author. SK needs to stick with writing adult novels because it clearly gives her the freedom her writing needs to flourish. this story is edgier, sweeter, more exciting, and just all around has more depth.
i think anyone who enjoys korean folklore will love this reimagining. its a very easy book to recommend and a series i am very much looking forward to continuing!
CW is a very evocative writer. his ability to develop characters, portray their struggles, define their dreams, and breathe life into them is truly toCW is a very evocative writer. his ability to develop characters, portray their struggles, define their dreams, and breathe life into them is truly top-notch. his books are the kind where, even if you forget what happened, you will always remember how the story made you feel when you read it.
and, with this particular novel, my main feeling is saint deserved so much better. and maybe thats just me wanting the perfect life for her, but CW isnt known for writing happy ever afters, so i guess i shouldnt take it so personally. i just wish the relationship between saint and patch had been different. and, because things dont work out how i wanted them to, i cant help but feel a bit disappointed with this story.
but, from an objective point of view, this is an excellent example of the remarkable lengths a character-driven novel can go.
this companion novel doesnt necessarily add anything to the main series in terms of plot, but it does make me fall even more in love with rhyan.
anyonthis companion novel doesnt necessarily add anything to the main series in terms of plot, but it does make me fall even more in love with rhyan.
anyone who has read these books knows just how perfect he is, so im glad his POV books arent a retelling of the series from his perspective (which i feel would limit his character), but rather an opportunity for growth and development by telling his story and sharing his background.
so, overall, an enjoyable read and an installment that has me eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
this is a quick and easy read with a good ending, but its probably my least favorite book by CRH so far.
i think the idea is interesting and the factthis is a quick and easy read with a good ending, but its probably my least favorite book by CRH so far.
i think the idea is interesting and the fact this is loosely inspired by the series of women who went missing in ireland in the 90s had me intrigued, but i dont feel as if this fully delivers what it promises.
the title is called‘the trap’and the synopsis claims the story is about a woman risking everything to catch the person who took her sister, but none of that is really the focus of the story. its mainly about introducing all of the characters, how they are impacted by the missing women, and the police investigation. lucy trying to “trap” the culprit is only like 10% of the story. so i wish that had gotten more page time and played a bigger part in the plot.
but, like i said, this is a quick and easy read with a good ending. i just think it could have been better if the main focus of the story was different.
true to KAs signature style, this is a relevant story that hits on necessary topics, delivers great courtrooms scenes, and ends in a reveal you dont strue to KAs signature style, this is a relevant story that hits on necessary topics, delivers great courtrooms scenes, and ends in a reveal you dont see coming.
while all of these aspects are what makes KAs stories so great, my favorite parts are the ones that take place in the courtroom. KAs background as a lawyer does her a great service in being able to portray trials in a realistic, yet dramatic, way. which makes it fun and engaging to read.
my only complaint would be the ending. its extremely abrupt and caught me off guard. while it does provide all of the answers a reader needs, it still feels like its lacking closure.
but, ending aside, this is still a great addition to KAs bibliography and a sequel thats as good as the first book.
the premise of this story isnt horrible. in fact, i actually think its a pretty good recipe for an entertaining story. but man, the characters in thisthe premise of this story isnt horrible. in fact, i actually think its a pretty good recipe for an entertaining story. but man, the characters in this suuuuck. lol.
they just arent good. arsene is not a person anyone should be falling in love with. he doesnt make me swoon, he makes me want to call the police. my feelings would be different if he redeemed himself by the end, but that never happened. and winnifred is a two dimensional stereotype. although she didnt repel me like arsene did, shes just a massive snoozefest.
i feel like this is a story that could have been enjoyable if the characters had been completely different and more tolerable. oh well.
while i dont exactly think its a terrible book, i just dont think its a very good ending to the series. i actualim not sure what to think about this.
while i dont exactly think its a terrible book, i just dont think its a very good ending to the series. i actually believe RAs strength is in writing duologies. she has successfully proven that she knows how to create two parts of a story and does a great job at telling each half so wholly and completely.
so do i think i would have enjoyed this series more if it had only been two books and not drawn out across four? yes, probably. because this installment feels as if RA was just trying to fill the pages until it reached the end, especially after the previous book felt so out of place. readers who enjoy classic fantasy creatures, court politics, and war schemes will most likely have fun with this, but everything just felt unnecessary to me when i take in the series as a whole.
so, in short, this is an okay book on its own but, when viewed as a part of the series, im not sure i liked it.
hmmm. while this isnt necessarily a bad book, i cant help but compare it to KDs debut novel (which i loved immensely) and see all of the ways in whichhmmm. while this isnt necessarily a bad book, i cant help but compare it to KDs debut novel (which i loved immensely) and see all of the ways in which this novel doesnt live up.
objectively, this has a good story. the characters are older, so i think this was trying to fall under the NA genre, but it is very much YA in feel and writing. which is fine. i think it does a good job at discussing grief, how to be a good friend, and choosing what to do with ones life. all of these are great topics for the YA audience and the story represents them well.
that being said, i never got attached to any of the characters and, therefore, never fully cared about any of them as a result. my investment in the characters was what made me to love‘some mistakes were made’so much, so its such a bummer that i didnt have the same experience this time around. i also didnt believe the romance between the two MCs. it felt like it was based on pretty much nothing, so that whole subplot didnt really work for me.
but overall, i do think that is a decent book; i just personally didnt find it as enjoyable as KDs previous novel.
it reminded me of my reading experiences with‘blood and moonlight,’‘serpent and dove,’and‘small favi loved this! like, whole-heartedly loved this.
it reminded me of my reading experiences with‘blood and moonlight,’‘serpent and dove,’and‘small favors.’not because the plots are similar (theyre not), but because i was so effortlessly submerged in the stories.
the characters are fully developed, the plot is engaging, the writing is spot-on, and the overall vibe is entertaining. its just a high-quality novel in all the ways that matter to me as a reader.
with an average rating on the lower end, i was worried going into this that it would be quite the let down. luckily, it wasnt, buteh, this was fine.
with an average rating on the lower end, i was worried going into this that it would be quite the let down. luckily, it wasnt, but that doesnt mean it was amazing either. it was just a fine read all around.
the narrative is more mystery than it is thriller, but it has an interesting commentary on southern legends, compelling secrets, religious influence and everything else that makes small appalachian towns unique. i did find the pacing to be quite slow and there wasnt anything specific that made me look forward to picking this up, but something about that story made me want to see how everything played out.
so, all in all, this was interesting enough but nothing spectacular.
i picked this up not because the story sounded interesting but because i adore KAs‘winternight’trilogy. so i initially read this more because i likei picked this up not because the story sounded interesting but because i adore KAs‘winternight’trilogy. so i initially read this more because i like the author rather than because i enjoy magical realism. which i dont. lol. so im pleasantly surprised i liked this as much as i did!
this is definitely a story that places more emphasis on the journey, rather than the destination. i think, had i been reading with my focus on how everything is resolved, i would have been disappointed and left feeling like, “thats it?!” so, by being patient with the exploratory narrative and appreciating the message the story was trying to convey, my reading experience was more enjoyable.
and even though magical realism just isnt the genre for me personally, i do think KAs take on the horrors of WWI fit the style and tone of the story really well. this isnt quite on the same level of loveliness as her‘winternight’trilogy, but still a good book and an easy recommendation to those who enjoy war novels.
i definitely would have liked this story more if it had a length that suited it.
its too long with too slow of pacing to be a novella and, yet, its toi definitely would have liked this story more if it had a length that suited it.
its too long with too slow of pacing to be a novella and, yet, its too short with too shallow of concepts to be a full in-depth novel. its almost as there is too much happening but not enough pages for the characterisation, pacing, and narrative plot to be executed properly.
either it need to be longer to give all of these elements room to breathe, or some of it needed to be trimmed to turn the book into a short story.
because all of the good concepts are there - gothic house, cursed family, strange deaths in the town, nice writing - it just didnt quite come together as well as i thought it could. great potential and ideas, but the execution just left a bit for be desired for me personally.
did i honestly read the same book as everyone else?!? because i seriously doubt it. nor do i think an editor did.
there is just no way i can give thisdid i honestly read the same book as everyone else?!? because i seriously doubt it. nor do i think an editor did.
there is just no way i can give this 5 stars, like it seems to be getting left and right. and heres why.
the lack of editing is seriously criminal for a big publisher like simon and schuster. so many continuity errors, so many grammar mistakes, so much awkward and unrealistic/unnatural dialogue from page 1, so many odd skips and jumps in the narrative. this honestly reads like a wattpad story that was hastily written and posted at 2am without a second thought.
heres the thing though. these kinds of these can be overlooked and not take the reader out of the storyIFthe reader is thoroughly engaged. and i just wasnt. its not original by any means. ive read this kind of plot so many times before, it has so many overused tropes, and i could predict any sort of plot twist from the very beginning.
so, because of my lack of interest in the story, the editing mistakes were the nail on the coffin that made me just not want to deal with this story any more. i didnt hate it, but its just not a book i would personally consider good or enjoyable.
not for me at all, but im happy so many people could overlook the writing issues and get hooked on the story!
i could tell with KMs last series (which this is a spin off of) that she was eagerly trying to shift her way out of YA stories. so this is her first si could tell with KMs last series (which this is a spin off of) that she was eagerly trying to shift her way out of YA stories. so this is her first series that it is full on adult romantasy from the start and it does not hold back.
this is very heavy on the romance, which isnt bad if thats what youre wanting. but i did find myself more interested in the plot than the smut scene, which i eventually started skipping about half way through because thats how frequent they are. while the angst and envy between the two characters is done well, its the storyline outside of the bedroom that was more entertaining for me. i enjoyed the scavenger hunt-esque game, the riddles, the mystery of camillas origins, and the overall puzzle of the narrative.
so based on my feelings for this first installment, i do think this is going to be a very good companion series, as each book is set to explore a different prince of the seven circles, who were first introduced in the kingdom of the wicked series. this definitely gives KM room to expand her world building and develop her characters without feeling constrained to a singular story arc.
so im looking forward to the next book coming out later this year!
while this release is a pleasant surprise, its definitely not the release that i (or probably many other rothfuss fans) was wanting. it unfortunatelywhile this release is a pleasant surprise, its definitely not the release that i (or probably many other rothfuss fans) was wanting. it unfortunately seems like the wait for book #3 will most likely last indefinitely.:/
that being said, i did enjoy this short novella. i already liked the original short story, so its nice to see it get expanded and explore a delightful day in the life of bast.
bast is one of those characters that i really wanted more of in the series - i found him so mysterious and intriguing. and i will admit that, by the end of the second book, i had some massive questions about him. this didnt answer any of those questions, but it did make me trust him more.
so all in all, a charming story about a very charming character.
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