Josh
CAWPILE SCORE
C-8
A-7
W-8
P-8
I-8
L-8
E-8
TOTAL-/10
CAWPILECharactersHakan, Caldera, Landus, VihaelyaNo Sonder-in America.Mostly just Alex this time. Getting in with the keepersChalice the Chance MageAtmosphereWritingSkilled use to keep suspense up without feeling frustrating.PlotA tricky plot full of betrayals all around. Verus working with the keepers is investigating a fight. Finds a Data Storage. Sparks off war between Council and White Rose. Everything is in chaosInvestmentAlways worried about whats going to happen to Alex and crew.LogicEverything makes sense. I'm never left feeling like I'm missing somethingEnjoymentI can't not enjoy these books.Misc
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/ on 07/24/2022
CAWPILE SCORE
C-8
A-8
W-7
P-7
I-9
L-8
E-9
TOTAL-8/10
CAWPILECharactersFalcio—starts to let go of his wife. Aline—Moves forward in face of fear. Grows into her power and commandThe Blacksmith – an unrecognized. Immense smarts. Similar to the tailorQuentis—an inquisitor become greatcoats. Finally a good character that stays on the side of GoodValianaDuke Jillard and his changesObladius—evil priest. Not sure how he survived his first encounter with FalcioKest—doesn't have to be the best anymore. Growing, his feelings for Falcio, using a shield to protect and attack.AtmosphereI always feel like I'm really in this world. The desperation of the characters their emotions. The helplessness while fighting the god.WritingGreat prose as always. Small issue with pacing in beginning but quickly resolvedPlotThe church is being used by the Blacksmith to create a new god. To Rule over the Country.InvestmentLiterally couldn't put this book down after 50%LogicThe Law binds the gods. The Actions the characters take is true to their character. Even the peasants and nobiliyEnjoymentI really enjoyed this book and the discussion about magic and the saints and gods.MiscGod of ValourDuke Jillard and Tommar at the endThe Old Aline. Visions between Aline and the King.Masking valianaNew Queen's Names
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/
Taken
Benedict Jacka
CAWPILE SCORE
C-8
A-8
W-7
P-8
I-8
L-9
E-10
TOTAL-8.29/10
Another continuing hit for Benedict Jacka, managing to keep the stakes high without going overboard and having twists that always seem to get me. Love the characters and the plots.
Starts with a hint of a tournament scene, but that takes backup for the main plotCAWPILECharactersSome new characters and we see some new goals for people. Lyle lyle couldn't figure it out it hit you with a stick.Anne Life mage. Shy doesn't like her magicVariam. Fire mage /heat mage angry a lot. Protects lunaJagadev the rakshasa- revenge on generationsAtmosphereMore immersed in the world.WritingFeel like the writing and some foreshadowing has gotten better. Though I can't point to specificsThese books don't feel like the beginning, every book builds off the previous books. (not monster of the week variety)PlotMage builds secret house to live forever in. kidnaps girls to be fuel (why all girls)InvestmentVery invested in Luna (tournament) variam and Anne. What shenanigansLogicEnjoymentSuper loved this book. The stakes keep changing but getting better. Loved the unique ways he keeps making things go sideways from where we start. Oh this the trick.... No wait that wasn't it. Here it is.MiscLIFE MAGE basically invincible with enough energy. And super deadly.More constructs but teleporting ones
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/ on 7/3/2022
I got an ARC and this is my honest review of it.
CAWPILE SCORE
C-9
A-8
W-8
P-9
I-9
L-9
E-10
TOTAL-8.86/10
Just an Amazing book. I loved every minute I was reading this book. I was pulling out my phone to read it anytime I had a spare 10 seconds. This was really great.
The Prologue and Epilogue were masterfully done, answering enough while asking the right questions, just great.
CAWPILE
Characters.
So many different characters, but it was easy to understand whose head you were in and what was happening. All the characters felt real and believable to me. Acting like real people would act. Having 4 characters to follow was great. Showing many different features
Atmosphere
The world is understandable, and easy to get lost in. You can tell that McClellan has spent some time figuring out how he wants this world set up. The way the city feels comes right off the page.
Writing
Not much I can say here. The writing was good. I never felt like it was clunky or using any “tricks” to get me to keep turning the page.
Plot
The Plot. Oh the plot. When starting out, I questioned how much was going to be about this or that. And how what the story was going to end on. Have no fear. Brian McClellan weaves his plot deftly around and through all the things you think and don't think are going to happen.
Investment
I was so excited by this book that like I said earlier I had a problem with putting it down. I was so invested in the characters, multiple characters just from the prologue. Then with the addition of other chapters my excitement grew by leaps and bounds.
Logic
I loved the magic system. A Medium style magic system if you will. Hard with just enough softness to cover its weakness. But you can understand enough and its explained enough that nothing feels surprising when it happens.... Well until the end.
Enjoyment
My enjoyment of this book is off the charts. I am so glad I read this. And I'm am super eagerly awaiting the next books in this series.
CAWPILECharacters.Demir Grappo, Baby Montego, Kizzae, Thessa, Idrian, Adriana, Capric, Aristanes.(Schemer), Thinking One. So Many amazingly great characters and such an interesting way they all work together or don't work together. Demir broken by Holikan on the road to recovery, finally done running away from his past. Baby Montego, I just can't get over actually calling somebody Baby in a book and not having it be weird, but it wasn't so it works. Kizzae and her Family issues. Because everything is about the FAMILY for the Ossans. With her working relationship with Demir. The betrayals that happen or happened in the past. Idrian the Breacher. Selling his life to keep his sanity. With a GodsGlass eye. Thessa a Brillant Glassblower (probably not the write term). I just loved all the interactions between all the charactersThe YUGLIDS excuse me what the heck are they and where are they from and what what what!!! I NEED to know more. Are they related to the monsters attacking the army. AtmosphereWritingLots of Chapters, but they are pretty short and go quickly. Uses the Chapters to generally signal character shift.PlotSo about halfway through the book I was thinking jeez, this war isn't working for anybody. All they are doing is destroying everything, turns out that was the plan, by the Glass Knife or the Schemer. I thought this was going to be about the Phoenix Channel and it was, and about finding the killer and it was, and leading an army and it was. And they were put together expertly so that as a reader you're not reading about things that have no interest to you. But they get revealed at the right times to make things exciting.InvestmentStarting the Sack of Holikan and the the Desperation that Demir feels so soon after a great victory, was so intense. I was invested in how Demir was going to come back and when, and what he'd been doing. Then learning about all our characters piece by piece and seeing them come together or apart, kept me very invested in learning what was going to happen to our characters.LogicThe Magic system. I love being told small things at the beginning so that we aren't as unaware and have to have things explained. Nobody would repeat to themselves what the magic does when its as familiar to them as some things are to us. The motives of the characters and the families was real and believable. I absolutely loved when Thessa learns that Demir is “responsible” for the Sack of Holikan and her parents deaths. She does leave him immediately but instead of learning the truth way later and regretting it, she seeks out someone she trusts and who knows what really happened and talks. Then immediately goes back to Demir and talks with him about it. Love it.Enjoyment10/10 loved every second of reading this bookMiscBaby Montego—I'll kill them. And then Killing the ANGRY ONEFear Glass Shackle GlassThe Prologue The Epilogue 2 Yuglids arguing.The Use of Wit GlassThe Glass Monster on top of the roof.Idrian stealing Cinderite and climbing a chimney.So much more
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/ on 07/27/2022
CAWPILE SCORE
C-8
A-9
W-9
P-8
I-6
L-7
E-6
TOTAL-7.57/10
A Story about War and its many consequences
CAWPILECharacters.Rin, what to say about Rin, makes some of the worst decisions because she is so focused on being “free” and that she has to keep raging against everyone and everything. I was glad that she was able to stop herself from blowing up the Hesperians in the end, because that would have been the end of the world for sure. Whiplash from dealing with Rin's changing relationship to everyone all the timeNezha, what a change in this book from the last one. Not sure how I feel about his basically complete control over his ability with no Anchor and basically 0 time for training especially with all the experiments going on. He always felt like he vacillated between Nikara and Hesperian. Kitay, still as smart as ever, but I'm glad he finally showed a backbone and stopped Rin at least once. Definitely reads as an autistic person to me, and I loved that. Trifecta: wow, just seeing Jiang come up from his seal and regaining his power. How scared everyone is of Riga. How powerful Riga is, but then the betrayal from Rin using the Hesperians Bombs to kill them all. Felt like a huge waste to me. Instead of using him to push them away, then rebelling or something. Hesperians: diligent and scientific as always. If only they didn't have 0 morals and actually believed people were people and weren't racists. Then I could root for them more, with their more scientific approach and advanced Tech. the end of Inspector Petra was very fitting.AtmosphereWar is War and this book definitely makes you feel the realities of war. Death being a factor but a smaller factor, famine, Lack of supplies, travel, all these things made the atmosphere feel real almost feeling the despair and likewise highs.WritingNothing to criticize in her writing, again with the themes of Betrayal but this time at least Rin gets 1 betrayal in or maybe 2 if you count betraying herself to stay true to herself.PlotThe Plot for me was all over the place. Go here try this, it fails or I mess it up, go here do this fail again, try this betray that. Everything was just crazier than the last. Still believable for the most part.InvestmentMedium investment for me to see the ending for Rin and what would actually happen to the world.LogicA couple of times it felt like Rin forgot her anchor bond with Kitay unless it was to pass a message. Or that if he dies she dies.EnjoymentUp and down for the enjoyment for me.MiscThere is no way the Nikaran people are ever going to recover from this invasion then civil war, then invasion and civil war at the same time. Unless the Hesperians have insane amounts of food, but realistically I think they should all die.
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/
The Human Division by John Scalzi
CAWPILE SCORE
C-8
A-8
W-8
P-8
I-8
L-8
E-9
TOTAL-8.14/10
This is basically a short story collection of events that are happening after The Last Colony, but a short story collection that follows a certain number of individuals. I think this is my 2nd favorite Old Man's War book after the first one.
CAWPILECharacters.The Characters are well thought out and put to good use on the page. AtmosphereThe Style of making this an Anthology really helped me get into the mood and series faster. WritingScalzi excels at short fiction. Maybe if there was a bigger gap between these books when I read them, I would think less of it. His prose and writing is as good as ever.PlotThe plot involving the crew of the Clarke and Abumwe and Wilson flowed very well throughout the story. Never felt like there was an increase in abilities or skills. Just them doing the best they can.InvestmentI was very invested in this from the beginning. I wasn't sure I was going to be because we aren't with the Perry family, but I did really enjoy these shorts and the ways they were able to get through the problems. Learning more about a shadow faction that is trying to incite war against the Conclave and the CDF. LogicI really enjoyed the puzzling out of who is doing what and how its happening. What is the next step. How is this going to play out. Felt very realistic as to peoples reactions to things happening around them and the political manuevering.EnjoymentI really enjoyed this book.
The Dragon Republic
CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-7
W-8
P-7
I-6
L-7
E-6
TOTAL-6.86/10
CAWPILECharacters.Kuang's characters still seem fully realized and like individual people. The relationships that are built and destroyed follow the way most relationships go. The relationship between Nezha and Rin felt very organic and real.Rin was very realistic, from wanting to forget her past decisions to just doing whatever the person in charge of her tells her to do, to absolve her own guilt.AtmosphereThe Atmosphere that Kuang has written is all pervasive. The dirty, the depression, the want for release. The very realistic depiction of war and what happens to all the people in war. WritingThe writing in this book is great. Her skill at prose is obvious.PlotThe plot makes sense. Rin wants revenge on the Vipress for betraying their country. So she goes through/with several people to get it. However it felt a bit repetitive. Work for—Betrayal--- Work for---Betrayal. It felt like all that happened it this book was a series of Betrayals over and over again.InvestmentMy Investment of this book varied widely there were lots of parts I didn't care about at all, and other parts where I just wanted more. LogicThe only thing that really felt crazy to me was how much betrayal is in this book. Everybody betrays everybody else all the time. Rin is usually the one being betrayed. The competence of certain leaders (Jinzha) felt very real EnjoymentThis book was good, but I'm not sure I can say that I enjoyed it. This definitely isn't in my normal go to for Fantasy books.MiscLearning that Nezha is a Shaman/Half-Shaman. So cool.The Ketreyids and Naimeds was cool, wish we could've learned moreSeeing the Trifecta in their Peak was cool. Wish we knew more about Daji (Vipress) final plan, since she escaped at the endNezha's Betrayal the very end. End of the Cike
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/
Knights Shadow
What a book. I really enjoyed reading this. This one picks up right where the 1st book left off. I think the 1st book is perfect and this book is a really good follow up book. Sebastian De Castell did amazing work in this book.
The name of this book should have been How much can we make Falcio suffer, because boy does he suffer in this one. From the Greatcoats Lament his friends all being forced to leave him. All coming back to him in the end though was great. The ups and downs. Thinking it would be a murder mystery then a hunt. So many misdirects. Can't believe I let Shuran trick me. I do wish we had 1 example of a good honorable Knight thoughVery sad that Ugh, died, but I'm not spoiling his name here.CAWPILECharacters.Falcio is our main character again, but this time we see him go through a lot more pain and suffering. We see him put away his past and start moving forward with his life. Again the relationships between Kest, Brasti and Falcio are 100% legit and realistic. All the characters have their own motivations and reasons and really no one feels like AtmosphereCreative and realistic world the villages the dukes, all work to create a world that seems real.WritingHis writing is as beautiful as ever. And with just as many powerful poignant one liners as the first book.PlotPlot makes sense. Isn't too Convoluted and makes sense with whats going on. The Tailor deciding to hire the unblooded Dashani was a bit crazy of an idea for me. InvestmentCouldn't put this book down. In trouble multiple times because I was reading instead of watching daughterLogicNo issues for me with what happened in the bookEnjoymentSo much enjoyment even at the same time as seeing all the sadness and suffering that Falcio had to go throughMiscLove Trattori and Bardetti --- something special UGH trying to be better than a horseEthalia—Pretty much everything here.Love isn't a cage▪ Valiana stood shakily. ‘I . . . no, your Grace. I do not want to rule, nor do I wish to hold the throne in any way.'‘Good,' Meillard said. ‘Then you're perfect for the jobThe Word is VALOURSpare Key to Rijou Prisonam getting seriously tired of men who murder children preaching to me about honourSomewhere in the world lives a God or a Saint who took it upon himself to invent magic. I plan on killing him some day.THE GREATCOATS LAMENT
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/
CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-9
W-9
P-7
I-7
L-8
E-5
TOTAL-7.43/10
A good book, with a unique story. wasn't really my thing. very quick after i got about 1/2 way through.
Great Prose and Characters.
CharactersPiranesi is a great character, the rest we barely see, but Piranesi is definitely super crazy. Living in a world of abstract where ideas are represented. But I've never met anyone in my entire life who writes journals the way he does, even before he goes crazy.AtmosphereElegent descriptions with emotional resonance make me feel like I'm really there or that I can easily imagine seeing what is there. Between the light fluffiness of the House or the way she writes his interactions with the other characters. WritingGreat writing, but it was overly descriptive to me. Makes sense in the story. Very interesting to write everything as journal entries. Which was well done.PlotThe plot is limited. Piranesi is investigating the house for the Other. 16 comes and rescues him. We are left wondering what is going on through part 3-4. I prefer to have a bit more of a direction earlier. The leisurely pace is definitely consistent with the story being toldInvestmentThe start of the story put me off a little bit, because I felt no connection to Piranesi. I'm not much for art and that's what the first first 2 parts felt like. Like I was stuck in an art lecture. After I was able to start piecing the picture together of what happened, I started to fell more invested in what was happening.LogicThe logic was consistent internally, but I have to wonder about how long Piranesi was in there before he went crazy.EnjoymentOverall I enjoyed this book. Probably not worth a reread, but a good idea that was turned into a good book.
I will be talking about it on Libromancy 04/06/2022 https://libromancy.podbean.com/
CONTENT WARNING: VIOLENCE/GORE/DRUGUSE
Cawpile
C- 9
A-8
W-8
P-6
I-8
L-8
E-7
TOTAL-7.7/10
Characters.Rin as a character is so frustrating. Sometimes she is super smart, sometimes super dumb.While I don't agree with a lot of her decisions, I think she is an amazingly crafted characterAtmosphereA finely crafted World, with a more realistic history with WarWritingWriting is great. PlotThe Plot starts strong with Rin going to the Sinegard academy, but meanders a bit in the InvestmentI was definitely interested in following Rin's story and seeing what happens.LogicOnly minor things that didn't make sense. EnjoymentI did enjoy this book, but the graphicness was a bit much for me.
I will be talking about it on Libromancy 04/17/2022 https://libromancy.podbean.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35068705-the-poppy-war
CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-6
W-8
P-8
I-8
L-8
E-8
TOTAL-7.57/10
CAWPILECharactersNing—chosen by many gods to stop serpent from rising more. Ptsd from serpent attacks and multiple shiftsKang—Grappling with implications of what his father has done and why. Trying to make sense of what he wants. Serpent—blinded by ambition and powerAtmosphereAtmosphere was done beautifully again.Great descriptions of food.WritingGreat writing again. Very distinct voices for both Ning and KangLots of turns. I thought all the wulin monks were taken over, but it was just a small portion.PlotTo stop the serpent they must gather his items and let him come again, then he can be stopped. InvestmentI was saddened by the neglect of tea “forms” not disappointed in the book, just that aspect.Loved the 5 simple things represent the gods and bind the serpent again. Ornamental disc, stone bowl, metal dagger, paper fan. LogicMoving from the “simple” rebellion to the serpent taking over was well done felt logical with all the pieces in place.EnjoymentSorcerer of the mists was a great scene. Love that Kang and Ning stay together that they both feel pulled to each other and trust each other even with the issues that came between them. MiscI knew Councillor Zhou was the bad guy the whole time, wasn't sure about Kang's dad, until the end, but sacrificing himself to be forever drowned that takes guts.Chancellor started everything even the lie about emperors brother trying to kill himBrother Huang- don't talk about your life after this mission, that's what gets you everytime.
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/
A great book, especially as a first book. There is so much to talk about and love in this book. The way Judy weaves in so many sayings that actually feel natural to say and hear is great.
CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-8
W-8
P-7
I-10
L-8
E-9
TOTAL-8.14/10
CAWPILECharacters.Ning is a great character. We really get into her head and the reasons she has for doing things. Any character who might have initially felt one-sided was shown to have other sides to them. I really felt like her characters all acted appropriate to their ages. No teenagers acting like adults and vice versa.AtmosphereThe world that Judy I. Lin has created is beautiful and scenic, even if there aren't many scenes outside the palace, the use of all 5 senses creates a great scene that you can truly feel. Her incredible use of Scent and Taste were spectacularWritingWriting was good, occasional small things I could nit-pick, but nothing so bad it took me out of the story. Her chapters end well, and at a good length. The writing flowed well. I liked that we get told Ning was trouble to her family when growing up and then later its shown to us one instance.PlotThe Plot has some YA tropes to it, but done different enough that they worked well for it. I enjoyed the directions the plot took, and while I knew some things that would happen(tropes) I was still very excited to actually read it and am still excited to see where it is going.InvestmentThe first chapter was great and very engaging, it gives us everything we need to know to get started, but after they start the Trials everything gets so much better.LogicMost everything follows the logic that is set forth earlier in the book. I dislike and like when teenagers switch so quickly on romance/hate, but that really is how some teenagers are.EnjoymentI loved this book. I loved the Magic and Tea. I Loved all the lore that is presented to us, never felt info dumpy. I loved so much about this book and I am super excited for the next one. MISC awesome parts and thoughts“Grief has a taste, Bitter and lingering, but so soft it sometimes disguises itself as sweetness” What an amazing line. Beautiful. Love all the sayings throughout the book. One thing I dislike in tournaments is when one test is super unrelated to the tournament. Aka find this random thing do this thing that doesn't actually relate to what your testing on. That's what I thought was going to happen, but then it didn't and it worked so well. Lily SceneHow the magic is different for all the shennong-tu.During the first test. Dragon shakes off the morning dew after sleeping, Dragon encircles his royal residence. I live for this kind of stuff. So amazingStupid Judge who interrupts her first test. Is he the stupidest man alive, yes and yes, does he deserve to be thrown in a pit forever, because he couldn't be patient for 5 more minutes yes.It was a bit fast how many contestants they eliminated. The sister transcribing her antidote efforts into stitching and her coming home and saving her sister. Just amazing
I will be talking about it on Libromancy 04/03/2022 https://libromancy.podbean.com/
CAWPILE
C: 10
A:8
W:9
P:7
I:9
L:9
E:10
What a book. I couldn't put this book it was so exciting. Even the parts that shouldn't be exciting are exciting. Scalzi has done it again. The writing is excellent. Scalzi in his acknowledgements says this book is like a pop song and I love his choice of analogy.
CAWPILECharacters.The characters are amazing in this book. Most if not all seem 100% fleshed out. The interactions between characters is some of the most real especially between Jamie and Rob Sanders and between Jamie and the other NewcomersAtmosphereThe book really engages you in the new world and Scalzi competently uses multiple senses to give you a true feel of the worldWritingGreat writing. Economical, but gets everything across without being stingy. Lots and lots of references. I'm sure I missed some of the ones that were explicitly called outPlotThe Plot is good, took a little bit to get to the main plot, but I couldn't help but rush forward to the end, because of how engaging the mini first plot was.InvestmentLiterally had a hard time putting this book down. Once I started Scalzi sucked me in and I couldn't stop.LogicI loved how Scalzi used the sciences to his advantage, that while everything can't be 100% true to science as we understand it, he does a great job of changing just what is essential while leaving the rest. I also appreciated Scalzi explaining many of the science things that I had no idea what they were.EnjoymentI so enjoyed this book. Again had a very hard time putting the book down.Loved when Jamie took Rob down the ground floor and scared him, also when Rob died. So many other good scenes if I was to name them all it'd be the whole book. The doctor scene near the beginning was great though.
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/
CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-7
W-7
P-8
I-8
L-8
E-8
TOTAL-7.57/10
I think this book shows how much C. Rae D'Arc has grown as an author. This book was exciting and engaging from the very beginning. Small time skip but done well, and her chapter epigraphs and endings were so on point.
CAWPILECharactersPansy and Theo we don't get a lot of character work on, but they do feel like their own characters. Reading about Dunstan, Berwynna, and Urien was very fulfilling showing how evil can turn to good, and how easy it is to turn from good to evil.AtmosphereC. Rae really captures the Atmosphere of Horror beautifully and its very easy to envision exactly what it would feel like there.WritingWriting has improved. The endings of the Chapters left me wanting more, without feeling like a cliffhanger. Also enjoyed the Chapter Epigraphs.PlotThe Plot is there and important, but this book feels more on the character side of things maybe 60/40. InvestmentI had very few breaks once I started reading this book. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen and how. Very EngagingLogicThe book is very consistant within its own rules, and everything the characters do felt in line with that character.EnjoymentI loved this book, lots of fun to read. and lots of snappy comments that made me laugh.
I will be talking about it on Libromancy 03/27/2022 https://libromancy.podbean.com/
CAWPILE SCORE
C-10
A-9
W-9
P-8
I-6
L-9
E-7
TOTAL-8.29/10
Very intense book. lots of powerful moments. This is definitely a character story.
CAWPILECharactersThis story is all about the characters and the relationships they have. Mainly about Dana and Rufus. Octavia Butler writes an amazing cast of characters.AtmosphereWhile reading this, i could truly feel like I was there with the characters. and while the Present never felt as fleshed out as the past, thats not the story being toldWritingAmazing Prose, short and Sweet. Although I was deceived by seeing it was only 6 chapters and expecting it to be shorter. but thats on me.PlotLess of a plot story that even while its there the characters are more central to the story.IntrigueThe interest of what will happen to Dana and Rufus kept me heavily invested in finishingLogicThe characters all behaved like characters from this time period would in the situation they found themselves in.EnjoymentWhile I liked reading this book, its tough to say I enjoyed it. and I probably won't be rereading it anytime soon
I will be talking about it on Libromancy 03/20/2022 https://libromancy.podbean.com/
C-8
A-7
W-6
P-6
I-6
L-6
E-7
This is a good second book, but I can't recommend it because of the intense cliffhanger it ends on and that the third book is nowhere to be found.
Good YA
CAWPILE
Characters.Like the characters but i feel like they all regressed in age, but she really captured how Teenagers act.AtmosphereThe World is as engaging as it was in the first one.WritingI felt like the writing was the same quality as the first book, but I feel like longer chapters or 2 from the same character in the beginning would have been better.PlotNot much advancement in terms of plot, everybody is too busy fighting for vengeance.InvestmentTook me about 25% to really get into the book. but its well paced.LogicI found some things to be illogical, but not book shatteringly bad. well maybe Iman thinking everybody would just accept no more nobility.EnjoymentMy Enjoyment was lessened by the intense cliffhanger at the end with no book 3 in sight. just didn't have the same spark as the first book did.
CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-7
W-6
P-5
I-5
L-4
E-5
TOTAL-5.57/10
What to think about this book. It was at least a little different from the first 2 books. I enjoyed the last 20% significantly more than the first 80%. Giving us more viewpoint characters was good.
CAWPILECharacters.I'm glad we see more of a personality from the Ush'oul inside agnes Sword. I'm also glad that at the end we are shown that the Ush'oul in general haven't really changed and are still after their own goals, whether that lines up with what the people around them want. Proof that her Sword was the one who killed or let everyone in their group get killed. I felt like all the characters aside from Agnes and Siri were brought together just to die. AtmosphereThe Atmosphere is engaging. Mike Shel does a great job of making you feel like you are in this dark world.WritingThe Writing is good. PlotWhile I enjoyed the plot and was glad to see that it didn't follow the exact same path as the first two books. I also enjoyed the POV split between Queen Ilanda and Agnes. I'm bothered again that by the time they get to the "god/s" the spellcaster is once again not there. Maestro's death was pointless and ridiculous at that point. he's seen things he'd never imagined before, but suddenly believes his dad might be alive and instantly rushes to him in the middle of a dungeon. but again with the Ush'oul protecting him. IntrigueWhile this book had a lot of questions that could've been intriguing, it was more frustrating to me that now we are adding gods, and Demon's and Devils, when before it was accepted as fact that just the Gods were there. LogicMostly followed its own train of logic, but i felt there were a few inconsistencies. mainly that if they required the Ush'oul to gain entrance they would also need it to leave because the enchantments wouldn't disappear immediately. I was very glad that Ilanda was able to put the Sword into a locked Chest and give up its power.EnjoymentI enjoyed this book more than the 2nd but less than the 1st book.
I will be talking about it on Libromancy 02/272022 https://libromancy.podbean.com/
