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skyee_18's review against another edition
4.0
This series is so much fun!! I can not WAIT for the next book to come out and see what happens next. These characters are so easy to root for, but still complex characters that definitely have their flaws. I also love how we get LGBTQ representation. Joan is a strong female protagonist that breaks a lot of the stereotypes we see in the FMC in most fantasies. This was such an action-packed, well-written sequel and I enjoyed every moment. The pacing was much better this time around and I was captivated! I honestly wished it was longer! I hope the third book is even more impressive!
karis321's review against another edition
4.0
~~Thank you to Edelweiss and Abrams for the ARC!~~
3.5/5 stars rounded up.
I went into this book thinking I would have the same feelings I had about its predecessor That Self-Same Metal, but I actually found myself enjoying it more than I expected.
Don't get me wrong, there are still elements I found annoying, like the one chapter POVs from random characters as a world-building tool, or lacking, like the romance, but I could see Williams has improved on other things.
One aspect I liked was the fish out of water situation Joan found herself in for this installment. She has to navigate court politics, and she fumbles quite a bit doing so. I felt like I got a better grasp on her as a character through her failures, as well as the strong desire she has in protecting her family and community. Plus, her antagonism with Cecil was so good. He's obviously such a pathetic guy who's threatened by a much stronger Black teenage girl, but he gets ahold of some info on Joan that makes him a big threat. I really enjoyed them two at each other's throats, especially whenever Joan got the upper hand.
Again, I must bring up the admiration I have for Williams and all the devotion she had dedicated to her research. She has such a way of making a long past world feel so alive with the amount of tiny details she pinpoints and naturally integrates into the story. It's my favorite thing about her writing and these books.
Overall, this was a good read! I definitely want to pick up the next (And final, I believe) book, because the story ends with so much left for Joan and gang that they need to do - and I really want to see it through.
3.5/5 stars rounded up.
I went into this book thinking I would have the same feelings I had about its predecessor That Self-Same Metal, but I actually found myself enjoying it more than I expected.
Don't get me wrong, there are still elements I found annoying, like the one chapter POVs from random characters as a world-building tool, or lacking, like the romance, but I could see Williams has improved on other things.
One aspect I liked was the fish out of water situation Joan found herself in for this installment. She has to navigate court politics, and she fumbles quite a bit doing so. I felt like I got a better grasp on her as a character through her failures, as well as the strong desire she has in protecting her family and community. Plus, her antagonism with Cecil was so good. He's obviously such a pathetic guy who's threatened by a much stronger Black teenage girl, but he gets ahold of some info on Joan that makes him a big threat. I really enjoyed them two at each other's throats, especially whenever Joan got the upper hand.
Again, I must bring up the admiration I have for Williams and all the devotion she had dedicated to her research. She has such a way of making a long past world feel so alive with the amount of tiny details she pinpoints and naturally integrates into the story. It's my favorite thing about her writing and these books.
Overall, this was a good read! I definitely want to pick up the next (And final, I believe) book, because the story ends with so much left for Joan and gang that they need to do - and I really want to see it through.
izettanicole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
jackiesbookthings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book picks up a few months after the events of the first book. You definitely need to read the first book or you’ll be lost. The action in this one takes place mainly at the court which adds new challenges for Joan. She’s obviously out of her element and makes some pretty big mistakes. Luckily, her friends and family are there to help her fight when everything goes South and it does fairly quickly with the fae gaining power and numbers by the day. I enjoyed this one, it felt like the author was more comfortable, the world and characters already established so she could just let the action play out. Can’t wait for the conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Racial slurs
shinyfluffdnd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
very cool series of Black Orisha-Blessed twins living in Elizabethan London who act with Shakespeare's players. The heroic female MC must deal with racism, classism and the Fae, who are trying to take over london. I loved the after-chapters which described the real people and events that had been adapted into the book.
danzibooks's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
venneh's review against another edition
4.0
Fun romp of a mid-trilogy book that gets to focus on court moves and leans more into being ok with triads as solutions to the love triangle dilemma, which I am a huge fan of as a little bisexual nerd who read a lot as a girl. Things end up going off fairly suddenly, and gets a bit farther away from the historical part of the last book (though there is a good explainer in back for those who want to know more!), but I can't wait to see where the final book in the trilogy goes. Also, baller as hell cover.
thebookishmindset's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kayima's review against another edition
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
wintersorbit's review against another edition
3.0
[listened to the audiobook edition, which isn't on goodreads]