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ellemnope 's review for:
Phoenix Flame
by Sara Holland
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars.
I will admit that I was disappointed by this second in the duology. I think this series would be much better served as a trilogy and the way it ends actually demands a third book.
The writing was just as good as in Havenfall with respect to the atmosphere. The worlds and character types are creative and fun and I really liked the descriptions that filled the narrative. This world is a lot of fun and I would really like to have more from it. I think there are a lot of pieces present that lend themselves to continuation of the series or creation of companion novels and/or series. There is just so much at work and it really is an intriguing place to be.
The action was great and the book moved along pretty well. Things took off right away and really just kept rolling to the end. There weren't any spots that felt lagging. In fact, the pacing did feel a bit rushed in some places and could have done with a little more in depth movement to slow things down and get the reader more invested.
There wasn't as much immersion into the characters this time around, so I highly recommend reading this one immediately after the first novel if you want to pick it up. Otherwise, the characters can feel a little flat and underdeveloped. Maddie comes off a bit more inept and lost in this novel and I would have really liked to have seen a firmer resolution for her in the end. I feel the same for several of the supporting characters. There are some amazing character arcs that just get left completely hanging.
Speaking of being left hanging...I was totally miffed by the ending. It is vague and wandering and leaves several things unresolved. It seriously felt like the cliffhanger that would happen in a second for a trilogy, so I think the author needs to really consider changing this from a duology and giving her fans another book for resolution. Without a third book, this is just painful.
Sara Holland...I am begging you. Please write another book in this series. Give us some closure and turn this into a fantastic middle novel instead of an okay second novel in a duology.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
I will admit that I was disappointed by this second in the duology. I think this series would be much better served as a trilogy and the way it ends actually demands a third book.
The writing was just as good as in Havenfall with respect to the atmosphere. The worlds and character types are creative and fun and I really liked the descriptions that filled the narrative. This world is a lot of fun and I would really like to have more from it. I think there are a lot of pieces present that lend themselves to continuation of the series or creation of companion novels and/or series. There is just so much at work and it really is an intriguing place to be.
The action was great and the book moved along pretty well. Things took off right away and really just kept rolling to the end. There weren't any spots that felt lagging. In fact, the pacing did feel a bit rushed in some places and could have done with a little more in depth movement to slow things down and get the reader more invested.
There wasn't as much immersion into the characters this time around, so I highly recommend reading this one immediately after the first novel if you want to pick it up. Otherwise, the characters can feel a little flat and underdeveloped. Maddie comes off a bit more inept and lost in this novel and I would have really liked to have seen a firmer resolution for her in the end. I feel the same for several of the supporting characters. There are some amazing character arcs that just get left completely hanging.
Speaking of being left hanging...I was totally miffed by the ending. It is vague and wandering and leaves several things unresolved. It seriously felt like the cliffhanger that would happen in a second for a trilogy, so I think the author needs to really consider changing this from a duology and giving her fans another book for resolution. Without a third book, this is just painful.
Sara Holland...I am begging you. Please write another book in this series. Give us some closure and turn this into a fantastic middle novel instead of an okay second novel in a duology.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *