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540 reviews by:
rubeusbeaky
Short Version: Folks looking for a cozy, paranormal romance will be sorely disappointed :(.
Longer Version, Spoilers: What I liked most about the first book in this series was that the characters who were juggling a paranormal romance, a ghost story, and a historical fiction/mystery were not gimmicks. They were not over-the-top or campy. The friendships and potential romances introduced were done with great finesse and humanity. I related to them and enjoyed them all.
This sequel seemed to have no desire to associate with its predecessor :(. Benedict Fairfax is the typical monologuing villain. Mistress Flyte is the cliche speaks-in-riddles wise woman. Marcus is the cautionary tale that Drugs and Rock-n-Roll turn kids Evil. And poor Samuel is written out of the series with a non-character who... smiles prettily and knows when to be quiet? That's about all that gets said of Henrietta.
The book seemed to have no interest in conflict resolution either, which - most book-lovers will tell you - is rather a central part of story crafting. This book has the villain reveal his backstory and desires, no intrigue or effort on the part of the heroine required, and then the heroine... gives him what he wants. Well, first she /leaves/ to go antique shopping in her own time, /then/ she travels back and gives him what he wants. The heroine behaves as though this is a job well done, no more conflict. Shocking no one, the villain returns to threaten her again... Turns out, ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away.
The sequel takes a bit of a genre shift from the first book too, distancing itself from romance or mystery, and instead investing heavily in becoming a Christian Fiction. The heroine was chosen by God and given a Goode Booke to guide her in playing guardian angel to people in need. Her previously shown bravery and ingenuity will no longer be necessary, as God has a plan for her which will make itself obvious when the timing is right, she need merely wait for the plot to come to her. She feels peace in forsaking love, guilt, or other emotions for duty, and she feels a deeper sense of community knowing she follows the chosen path and her mission benefits people past and present. This character might resonate with other readers, and that's fine. No sarcasm, if surrendering to a higher power is a theme which speaks to a reader, I'm glad they found this book. But I found surrendering the best parts of Xanthe's character to make her a passive, faithful puppet, to be bitterly disappointing.
Longer Version, Spoilers: What I liked most about the first book in this series was that the characters who were juggling a paranormal romance, a ghost story, and a historical fiction/mystery were not gimmicks. They were not over-the-top or campy. The friendships and potential romances introduced were done with great finesse and humanity. I related to them and enjoyed them all.
This sequel seemed to have no desire to associate with its predecessor :(. Benedict Fairfax is the typical monologuing villain. Mistress Flyte is the cliche speaks-in-riddles wise woman. Marcus is the cautionary tale that Drugs and Rock-n-Roll turn kids Evil. And poor Samuel is written out of the series with a non-character who... smiles prettily and knows when to be quiet? That's about all that gets said of Henrietta.
The book seemed to have no interest in conflict resolution either, which - most book-lovers will tell you - is rather a central part of story crafting. This book has the villain reveal his backstory and desires, no intrigue or effort on the part of the heroine required, and then the heroine... gives him what he wants. Well, first she /leaves/ to go antique shopping in her own time, /then/ she travels back and gives him what he wants. The heroine behaves as though this is a job well done, no more conflict. Shocking no one, the villain returns to threaten her again... Turns out, ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away.
The sequel takes a bit of a genre shift from the first book too, distancing itself from romance or mystery, and instead investing heavily in becoming a Christian Fiction. The heroine was chosen by God and given a Goode Booke to guide her in playing guardian angel to people in need. Her previously shown bravery and ingenuity will no longer be necessary, as God has a plan for her which will make itself obvious when the timing is right, she need merely wait for the plot to come to her. She feels peace in forsaking love, guilt, or other emotions for duty, and she feels a deeper sense of community knowing she follows the chosen path and her mission benefits people past and present. This character might resonate with other readers, and that's fine. No sarcasm, if surrendering to a higher power is a theme which speaks to a reader, I'm glad they found this book. But I found surrendering the best parts of Xanthe's character to make her a passive, faithful puppet, to be bitterly disappointing.
An incredible, adrenaline pumping installment in The Red Rising Saga. The way the protagonists and antagonists are all walking a thin, grey, moral line, and especially the way that Darrow and Lysander almost mirror each other in their journeys, makes for an equal parts exhilarating, shocking, and devastating story. I am left both hungry for and afraid of the next installment.
The writing in this book is spectacular! The use of echoes, metaphors, even line breaks, is absolutely poetic. I wanted to give it a standing ovation when I was done reading. Fans of dark fantasy or tales of bloody revenge will love this book.
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That said, I would be remiss if I didn't warn potential readers of the two /very/ explicit sex scenes in this book :x. The pornographic level of details left me confused as to whether this book was meant to be YA Fantasy or not. And at the other end of the pendulum, the Hogwarts for Assassins setting which takes precedence a quarter of the way into the book seemed aimed at a /younger/, tween audience. Going to class, going to meals, dealing with bullies... all a little "middle school", despite the otherwise mature themes in this book. It's true, that some minors are sexually active, or use substances, or drink alcohol, or lash out, and maybe they would appreciate a bit of escapism which celebrates that behavior, instead of another cautionary teen fiction. But potential book buyers should know, this is not your typical YA Fantasy.
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That said, I would be remiss if I didn't warn potential readers of the two /very/ explicit sex scenes in this book :x. The pornographic level of details left me confused as to whether this book was meant to be YA Fantasy or not. And at the other end of the pendulum, the Hogwarts for Assassins setting which takes precedence a quarter of the way into the book seemed aimed at a /younger/, tween audience. Going to class, going to meals, dealing with bullies... all a little "middle school", despite the otherwise mature themes in this book. It's true, that some minors are sexually active, or use substances, or drink alcohol, or lash out, and maybe they would appreciate a bit of escapism which celebrates that behavior, instead of another cautionary teen fiction. But potential book buyers should know, this is not your typical YA Fantasy.
The Lady Janies deliver again! Fun, witty, and inclusive, this paranormal western is exactly the bit of levity the world can use more of.
