Tammy

This book is a solid 3 out of 5 overall. Regarding the characters, I didn’t find many of them appealing. The story is told from the perspective of the main character, who doesn’t seem very bright. This seems to be a common pattern with Freida McFadden's characters. At the beginning, she makes some morally questionable choices that make it hard to like her. Although Frida tries to justify her actions, they still come across as somewhat off-putting. The male lead felt one dimensional, while a side character was much more intriguing. Overall, it wasn't horrible, but it was just an okay read.

The plot was similarly average. It was pretty basic, with nothing too surprising. However, it had a binge worthy quality that made me want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. I could see where the story was going and even guessed the twist at the end, but it’s still worth a read if you're into thrillers.

I felt that the book lacked a clear theme. It felt like just another moment in time story, and I’m not sure if there are any real lessons to be learned from this thriller. That said, I don't expect a thriller like this to teach me anything, so the theme was just okay.

Emotionally, I wasn't very invested in the characters. I did want the main female character to be okay and enjoyed her more than the others, but when challenges arose for any of the characters, I didn’t feel scared or sad for them. Again, this is a fast paced thriller, and I don’t think the intention is to create strong emotional bonds with the characters to better understand them and their motivations.

In terms of my enjoyment of the book, I did find it engaging, as I mentioned earlier. It was binge-worthy, and I felt compelled to find out how it would end. I know there are more books in the series, and while I may pick them up eventually, I’m not in a hurry to do so. This indicates how I feel about the book overall. I would recommend it to those who enjoy thrillers, like twisty plots, or are new to the genre, as it offers some surprises that you might not see coming.

Overall, this was a pretty good book, though it felt like a standard thriller. At first, I wasn't sure if it was meant to be a nod to Agatha Christie, but as I kept reading, it became clear that it was, and that definitely caught my attention. I've always wanted to read Agatha Christie and just haven't gotten around to it, so this was a fun introduction to that kind of storytelling.

As for the characters, none of them were particularly likable. There wasn't anyone I felt was truly innocent, and instead of evolving in a positive direction, most of the character growth made them seem even worse. That doesn't make the book bad, but it does mean there's no one you really want to root for. Depending on your preferences, that could be a downside or just part of the experience.

The plot itself was strong. There was a clear mystery driving the story, and the way it was told, non-linear, with events unfolding and then circling back to provide context, really worked for me. I liked that it felt like a story within a story, which gave it a unique structure and made it more engaging. I listened to this on audiobook, and that format worked especially well for this kind of layered narrative. In fact, I'd recommend it to anyone trying audiobooks for the first time.

When it comes to themes, I didn't feel like there was anything especially deep or meaningful being explored. It was more about human nature and how love can drive people to extremes. There weren't really any big takeaways or life lessons, but that's not a bad thing. Sometimes it's just fun to watch a chaotic story unfold and see the consequences of everyone's choices.

Emotionally, the book did grab me at times, mainly when the narrator opened up about their past. That moment gave some real insight into their character and helped explain why they are the way they are. The female lead had a similar backstory reveal, but it didn't hit quite as hard. Still, there were definite attempts to build empathy for the characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was fast-paced and easy to get into, and I'd definitely recommend listening to it. If I had to compare it to The Silent Patient, I think I enjoyed that one just a bit more, but this book held its own and was enjoyable in its own right.

I gave this book a solid 4.25 stars.

As for the characters, I really enjoyed them. Since this is the second book in the series, we pick up right where we left off, and while there aren't a ton of new characters, the ones that are introduced play a really important role. One in particular stood out and added a lot to the overall storyline. They gave Vin some real opposition and pushed her to see things from a new angle, which helped with her character growth in a big way. We also get more depth from the returning characters—their motivations, their insecurities, and even some of their weaknesses come to light.

The setting stays in the same world, but we do get to explore it more. I liked seeing the characters move beyond their home base and into new places, it made the world feel more dynamic than in the first book. We also learn more about the magic system, specifically the metals and their effects. And let me just say, I have so many questions, but in a good way. I'm keeping it vague to avoid spoilers, but the expansion of the magic system was one of my favorite parts.

The plot was super strong. There was a clear mission from the start, and the book stays laser-focused on it, which kept the momentum going. There were some subplots that felt like they should've had more weight but kind of got pushed aside. I would've loved to see more development there. That said, I was genuinely invested in every plotline, which is rare. Every time the story shifted focus, I'd feel that little “ugh, I wanna stay with this character!” moment, but then I'd get pulled right into the next section just as easily.

The themes in this book hit in a way that sticks with you. Even after finishing, I found myself still thinking about them. I actually went down a little rabbit hole on YouTube to see what others were saying, and I'm still chewing on some of those ideas. Especially the ending, it really makes you pause and reflect. Any book that lingers in your brain like that has strong thematic weight.

Emotionally, this one got me a few times. There were definitely moments that hit hard, and while I did feel sad in places, I think I would've felt even more gutted if I had a stronger connection with certain characters. Some events were more shocking than devastating, but still emotionally impactful. Also, there were a lot of relatable moments around insecurity and self-doubt that made it feel really grounded, despite the fantasy setting.

All in all, I really enjoyed this second installment in the Mistborn series. It definitely has that “middle book” vibe in terms of setup, but it lays the groundwork for what I'm hoping will be an epic payoff in book three. There were enough twists and reveals to keep it interesting, but it still felt like a complete story on its own. The characters showed real growth, and nothing felt like a step backward. I can't wait to jump into the next one, I'll be picking it up right away.

✨️ 3.75 ✨️

This book was definitely better than the first one. I'm rating it a solid 3.75.

The characters are mostly the same as last time, but we do get a new POV in this one, and honestly, it was much needed. That shift gave the story a little more depth and helped me see what's really going on in this kingdom from a totally different angle. Do I like this new character? I'm not sure yet. Time will tell. But their perspective added something that was missing before.

The setting is the same as the last book, very standard fantasy vibes, and not much changes there. I'm hoping the next book moves things around a bit more because I'd love to see the characters in different places and situations. I think we're headed in that direction, so I'm looking forward to that.

Plot-wise, it's still got that basic fantasy feel, nothing super new or groundbreaking. But I will say the author made it feel dynamic even though, realistically, the characters were kind of stuck in the same place the whole time. The pacing worked for me, and even though it was predictable, I still wanted to keep reading. Sometimes knowing what's coming can be comforting, and this had that feeling.

What really stood out to me this time were the themes. They hit way harder than in the first book. I really like the direction the main character is heading in, and I'm loving the side characters we're meeting. They all seem to have a purpose, and I'm starting to get a better sense of the bigger story. It finally feels like we're getting into the meat of the series.

Emotionally, this book left me feeling hopeful. Some tough stuff happens, but I think the characters needed it to grow. It changed how I felt about a few people from the first book, which I liked. I wouldn't say I felt sad at any point, but there were definitely moments that made me angry, and that still counts as feeling something. The setup is definitely there for revenge, love, and maybe even heartbreak in the next books, and I'm here for it.

Overall, I really did enjoy this second book. It was stronger than the first, and I can tell the author is finding their rhythm and voice. I'm excited to continue the series, but I'm not in a huge rush to pick up the next one right away. I think a little break will be good so I can actually miss this world and these characters. I can already tell the books are getting bigger and deeper, so I want to make time to really dive in when I'm ready.

This book was just okay for me. I think it had so much potential, and I really loved the premise. The concept is fascinating, traveling between parallel worlds where you can only survive if you're not alive in that particular world. If another version of you exists there, your body begins to break down as soon as you cross over. Our main character has died in a lot of these alternate worlds, and when she travels to one where things aren't quite as they should be, chaos follows. I won't say more so I don't spoil any of the big twists.

When it comes to the worldbuilding, I felt like the author left a lot for readers to piece together on their own. I actually like when books drop you in and let you figure things out along the way, but this one leaned so heavily into confusion that I thought I might've missed something. By the end I was able to piece most of it together, but I still don't think I fully understand everything, I basically filled in the gaps with what I assumed to be true.

As for the characters, I really liked the main character. She's a strong female lead and capable of everything she takes on in this story. A few side characters stood out to me as well and helped balance the book, though there were others whose roles in the parallel worlds felt confusing. Still, the core characters were fleshed out enough that I could understand their motivations.

The plot itself was just okay, too. It started out intriguing and had me curious from the beginning, but by the end I was left with unanswered questions and wishing we'd seen more of the aftermath. I know there's a second book, and while it isn't necessary to read them in order, I imagine the sequel probably dives deeper into this world. I'm not sure yet if I'll pick it up, but I do think the writing might be stronger in the next installment.

Overall, I'd give this one a three-star rating. There were moments where I couldn't stop turning the pages, but there were also sections where I felt completely lost and just pushed through. It was definitely a roller coaster, some highs, some lows, but a really great concept at its core. I wouldn't recommend it to someone brand new to sci-fi since I think it would be too confusing and might reinforce the idea that the genre is hard to get into. But for seasoned sci-fi readers who don't mind filling in gaps, it could still be worth a try.