typedtruths's Reviews (1.8k)

this read like the bare bones of a screenplay.

nielsen should stick to middle grade

it was so atmospheric but lacked Something

#1 Dorothy Must Die ★★★★☆
#2 The Wicked Will Rise ★★★★☆
#4 The End of Oz ★☆☆☆☆

I was pleasantly surprised my how much I enjoyed the first two books but this follow up was such a let down.

It was too much of a filler; it felt like a bridge book for the finale instead of a solid sequel. The series should be slowly building towards the climactic fourth book but Paige spent more time introducing new elements and characters than wrapping anything up. What is most worrying, however, is how these new elements have veered the series in a completely different direction, right before the finale.

We barely got to see the characters we have come to know and love. Amy remains the protagonist but secondary characters faded into the background. More time was focused on Amy and Nox’s relationship than anything - and while I love them as a couple, I missed the other characters too. There needed to be a balance.

Besides that, it was the dragging plot that bothered me the most. It consisted of little more than battle scene after battle scene. Don't get me wrong. I am well aware that the title literally contains the word 'war' but I wanted more than simple fight sequences. It was repetitive and got tired real quick.

Overall? While Yellow Brick War was entertaining as always, the plotline and lack of secondary character were disappointing. This is not the strongest book in the series so hopefully, the finale will pack more of a punch.

#2) The Witch's Tears ★☆☆☆☆

• Unrealistic romance. It was not quite instalove but it was still rushed. Merry and Jack did not have any connection. They barely knew each other before they started to randomly make out, let alone before they were supposed to be in love. Jack barely knew himself.

• There was no real plot. I was underwhelmed by the witch lore but the fact that the story basically consisted of Merry sitting around or waiting for something to happen did not excite me. It was boring.

• The brief dual timeline was a nice touch, though. It did not flow well between chapters but it kind of worked for me.

• Good villains have to be complex and nuanced so that you can empathise with their actions. This story’s antagonist was salty because he got friend-zoned and… kept terrorising witches for hundreds of years? He was inconsistent and about as terrifying as a wet paper bag. He definitely could have been more fleshed out.

• Merry was irritating. I did not connect with her on any level. Leo should have narrated this story. I cared about him so much more. Jack was flat. He also lacked any sort of personality.

• The writing was not atmospheric enough. I was not pulled in by this world or its characters. I wanted more emotion, more immersion, just more.

🍂 Rep: Taylor (sc) is gay.

🌻 Trigger warnings for paedophilia and grooming, child sexual abuse, graphic (on-page) rape by coercion, abusive relationship, dissociation, forced alcohol consumption, emetophobia, and stalking. Recounted death of multiple family members in a car accident. Mentions animal attack and animal death.

🍂 Rep: Lauren (mc) is Black American-German; Mei (sc) is Black American-Chinese; Taylor (sc) is Black American. #Ownvoices representation.

🌻 Trigger warnings for bullying, stalking, statutory rape, teacher-student relationship, voyeurism w/o consent, physical assault, suicide attempt, death of a classmate, murder, car accident, strangulation, arson/fire, physical injuries, hospitals, mild blood/gore, emetophobia, forced (public) outing, slut shaming, girl hate, and racism. Mentions substance addiction, kidnapping, and cheating.

unnecessary lesbomisia really soured this for me