The first few chapters interested me. Giving me high hopes for the rest of the book. But at some point, I'm unsure of when, I started to zone out. At times the story felt a little repetitive and slow.

Despite each of the sisters having their own traumas I still struggled to really care about any of them. Goldie and Liyana felt the most developed, I wish more time was spent with Bea and Scarlet for more development.

At times I would get lost during Bea's parts. I'm not sure why.

Goldie and Leo relationship did nothing for me. If anything made me a little uncomfortable at times. So by the end when everything came to a head I didn't feel for any of them.

The world itself needed more explanations. The more I read the more lost and confused I became. I'm still unsure how anything works. Or even why it has to be the way it is. I wish more time was spent on world building and less on boys.

TW: sexual abuse, suicide thoughts, incest, self harm.

Going into this I was nervous but excited. This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I was mainly nervous due to all the hype surrounding the book. This thankfully didn’t disappoint.

Granted this took a little longer than I had expected but I like to think I was trying to savor it.

Since this book is set across 300 years I would have liked some more historical moments to have been mentioned but I also understand that would have made the book unnecessarily long. But with Schwab’s writing would that have been so bad?

The writing is just beautiful. For some reason I want to listen to this as an audiobook but that will probably break my heart more than physically reading it.

The way Schwab wrote Henry’s character and how he was feeling felt relatable for me. I wanted to hug and protect him. The way he felt like he wasn’t enough. My heart broke as more about him was revealed. Especially towards the end. That was also the moment I hated Luc.

This book filled me with emotion. From happiness to sadness. Anger and frustration. Especially when it came to Henry. As you can tell I really care for Henry. Probably more than Addie if I’m being honest.

When it comes to Addie I did really like her. Her stubbornness not to give in to Luc no matter how she is actually feeling. But also how lonely she feels throughout due to being forgotten. The pain and mental exhaustion she must feel throughout the 300 years.

The ending hurt me. I’m left wanting more but not. I want more to see what Addie does next. Especially with how this ends. But at the same time I would worry about what becomes of Henry and Addie if there is another book. I loved Addie and Henry relationship. Even if all is not as it seems.

Usually a book this length, let’s be honest 500 pages, would intimate me to the point of putting them off. However due to loving book one in this trilogy I was more excited than intimated to pick this up.

Having the audiobook definitely helps me with adult fantasy. But somehow I managed to get through this is 4 days. I just couldn’t put it down.

Now I’m used to Hobb’s writing style her books are a lot easier to get through.

Yet again Hobb has no issue inflicting pain onto her characters. She refuses to give them an easy time. Every time something may look to be going well she will hit them with something. I’ve come to expect nothing else. Just don’t expect an easy time with her books. Even cute relationships won’t ease the pain because they can’t just be a cute relationship. Something has to happen there as well.

Robin Hobb creates amazing realistic characters in my opinion. All are morally grey. They are good, bad, selfish, giving, kind. They lie, they are honest at times too. But it all feels so real. No one is perfect so why should fictional characters be? I’m enjoying seeing her characters grow and learn from their situations.

Malta character growth impressed me. I didn’t really like her before. She came across entitled. But she grew from that, mostly, now wanting to help. Even if it is for her father’s benefit.

Paragon is my favourite liveship. There is a moment during this book that makes me wonder what really happened with his old crew. I feel like all is not what I seems there.
Vivacia is annoying me a little. Kennett really managed to change her that easily. I blame Kyle.

Towards the end I got a little confused, 100% my fault for not paying full attention, when it comes to the serpents. But I plan on looking this up before reading the next book.

Overall I really enjoyed how the story built throughout this. I’m intrigued to see how things progress from here. Especially with the serpents and when Paragon and Vivacia come into contact because I believe that will happen within the next book.

There’s so many stories within this series that are linked and I’m left wondering how they will all play out. Especially with one book in this trilogy left.

After somewhat struggling with the pacing of The Way of Kings I was glad this was much faster paced and much easier to read.

One thing I love about Sanderson’s work is how unpredictable the story is. It’s not a case, for me at least, of having an idea because I’m still learning and putting the pieces together.
I’ve come to enjoy the fact that when it comes to the magic system we learn with the characters. They are as in the dark about their abilities as we are.

When it comes to the characters I have a new favourite. Pattern. Not a human but I just love him. His interactions with Shallan. The way the narrator does the voice definitely makes a difference for me.

Adolin is creeping his way up the list. The more I read of his parts the more I’m liking what I see.

Kaladin is still very intriguing. Especially when it comes to Syl. Some things were hinted that I need to know more about. Hopefully in part two. But there is so much of his abilities left unknown as well.

I enjoyed seeing a little bit of Shallan’s backstory. I have a feeling all is not what it seems when it comes to her mothers death and her father in general.

Sadhus is the every book needs someone for the reader to hate guy. But I have questions about Amaram. There’s something there that might just make him the most hated character. I hope part two will divulge more about him.

The interludes didn’t really do much for me this time around. I kind of forgot who was in them. Unlike The Way of Kings where I was left wanting more Szeth.

There are so many stories happening at once. But I’m not finding myself lost. I find it easy to jump from character story to another character. Even if I couldn’t explain the story if someone asked. I can understand more than before.

This part was much quicker to get through. Which I’m pretty sure I said the same for part one. But I managed to finish this in four days. I was finding it difficult to put down.

The world building continues to develop and help me understand this world more and more. I’m finding myself less confused each book and more intrigued to see what happens next.

I found for such a long book (I’m including part one here) I didn’t think like anything was just filler. Everything has a purpose, when if it’s not so obvious at first. Each part meant something whether for the story or character arcs. This could be why this felt fast paced. Everything connected and the story was go go go.

Sometimes the interludes felt like they were at the wrong times. One of them dragged a little. But overall I’m glad they are part of the book. Just because they help develop the story as a whole. Without them a piece would be missing.

Shallan flashback was somewhat predictable. I mentioned in part one review I felt something wasn’t right with her father. Turns out I was right. However it makes sense to me. Especially with how she behaved throughout this book. I’m interested to see if this plays any big of a role in the future. But also her overall character development.

Then there’s her interactions with Kaladin and Adolin. I feel a shift could be coming but I’m unsure if I’ll like it. I guess it will depend how it’s done if my prediction is correct.

Kaladan and Syl are still great together. However something that happens makes me worry about Syl and even Pattern. They aren’t even human but I still want to protect them.

I enjoyed having Wit’s POV at the end. He drops some information to help explain things. Which is definitely helpful and needed.

The ending itself was a banger. The cliffhanger was definitely a ‘OMG I need to pick up Oathbringer ASAP’ moment. I just need to know what happens next. Especially due to the character involved.

I was intrigued by this as all I knew going in was it was set out like episodes of a TV show.
Despite being intrigued I'm left disappointed by the first half especially. I just didn't feel invested until probably 70%.

Although the second half in general was much better. The ominous atmosphere was there at this point.

The insta love just felt forced and out of place for me. With the book being on the shorter side the characters just have time to build any sort of chemistry. Therefore I just didn't care about them together.

I'm currently unsure if I will pick up any future books in the series as this felt like a drag for half of it. I'm a little worried the next book might be as bad or have unnecessary tropes like insta love that takes me out of the story.
The second half is the only reason this went from a 2 to a 3 star.