I like Good Books

In this book we get to learn more about Werewolves, in particular Nova wolves and the people who hunt them. I felt like the hunt took a backseat to Scarlett’s personal life, pack politics, and Jesse’s own grappling with morality. Which is fine and ultimately doesn’t hurt the book. Unfortunately this means that I didn’t care as much about this rogue wolf killing people as she did. It was interesting to watch her hunt him down, but not important.

I love that the romance that was getting built up ultimately didn’t follow through. Sometimes the people that are new and different and interesting aren’t the people we want. 

I really want to learn what else Scarlett can do with her powers, and just how strong a null she really is. I think there’s other books starring her and I can’t wait to check them out. I hope they answer the questions this series left over or at least pose some great new ones.

Main Character Score: 5 / 5

Side Character Score 4 / 5

Setting Score 5 / 5

Plot: 4 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 5 / 5

Total Score: 4.6 /5

The book does a good job describing what it’s like to be in a deeply abusive relationship, and what it’s like to recover out of one. We watch Scarlett prepare herself for a showdown with her abuser and cheer her on when she gets her victory. Her exploration of her powers is intriguing as the explanation of the witches’ powers. It makes you want to learn more.

Olivia is a horrifying villain, though not because she’s a vampire. But because she’s an abuser. That’s what makes her evil. That’s what makes her wrong. She wants and she hurts and finally, she faces consequences. It’s rare that you see this done so well.

The romance aspects are written well. Olson handles it with skill and a gentle touch, even during the scenes between Jesse and Runa. It’s strange how this book feels like the end of the arch and the bridge between 1 and 2, but I think that’s a good thing. It makes it stand on its own a bit better than a lot of book 2′s.

Main Character Score: 5 / 5

Side Character Score 5 / 5

Setting Score 5 / 5

Plot: 5 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 4 / 5

Total Score: 4.8 / 5

I love learning about the “Old World”. Every tidbit of information is interesting, and the big plot points are excellently foreshadowed. I like the way that Scarlett’s backstory is brushed against until she’s ready to go over it with Jesse, who is in the reader’s “position” of being new to this amazing new world.

The main plot twist involving the villain was fantastic. I saw only part of it coming and when it came all the way home it was worth the whole book. I loved the story and the world. Rarely do all parts of a book balance each other out so well. 

Main Character Score: 4 / 5

Side Character Score 4 / 5

Setting Score 5 / 5

Plot: 4 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 5 / 5

Total Score: 4.4 /5

Endric is ever the star of this series. He is a character who must complete his task, who must learn and must grow into the leader that he thinks he has to become, the one who he can’t seem to become. Everything he does is to improve himself as a person, a warrior, and a leader. His drive to improve, his dedication to humility, makes him a hero that you want to see succeed. He tends to put his own obstacles in his way, and you want to see him overcome because you want to see what the next obstacle will be.

The story is interesting. We learn about the Antrillii by learning about what they face, how dire the threat and the source of that threat’s strength. We’re given interesting questions about the mysterious metal teralin and what connection Endric, the Merahl, and the Antrilii may have to it. It makes me yearn for the next book, Soldier Saved, and what answers or questions that book will give us.

The book is interesting in that it has a taste of the “outsider saves the day” but, it doesn’t really. Endric’s pursual of understanding emphasizes that Endric is Antrilii, they are his ancestry and his people. He earns his place within them by pursuing his ancestral enemy. As a mixed race person myself it’s a particularly nice touch.

Main Character Score: 5 / 5

Side Character Score 4 / 5

Setting Score 5 / 5

Plot: 4 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 5 / 5

Total Score: 4.6 /5

Black Ice Burning had the same issue as Pale Queen Rising and Cold Dream Dawning. It would seem to reach an apex and then immediately turn around. It’s like when you’re trying to get into a car and the driver keeps scooting forward. While it doesn’t take away my overall enjoyment of the series and my love of the cast, it was still moderately annoying.

I love the characters, Claire did grow on me, she was dynamic and while her lessons weren’t smooth, she gained a confidence in herself that came with the knowledge of how she was manipulated. The side characters had great variety and were fully fleshed out. Eli, Kingston, and Pan all make for great companion characters, although poor Pan gets the short end of the stick so much. When will someone give this statue a hug? 

The plot twist was perfectly executed. I didn’t suspect it until the hints came and I was thrilled when it finally happened, both with the villain and the sweet, sweet end note. Though tinged with sadness, the finale was still wonderful.

And it hinted at more in this world. I would love another trilogy, and can’t wait to see this world come back.

Main Character Score: 5 / 5

Side Character Score 5 / 5

Setting Score 4 / 5

Plot: 4 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 5 / 5

Total Score: 4.6 /5

Honestly, the story feels like one of those “bridge books”. You know, the ones that just link two parts of a story together, that contain important information that didn’t fit with the storyline of parts 1 or 3. That being said, it was still a good enough read. I like Endric enough that I’m willing to go along with his story. He does improve significantly, the humility suits him well. However, he does tend to push his best friend to follow him and do what he says, and even though it’s a military situation I’m still interested in seeing if that bites Endric in future books.

The world is well built, but I’m less interested in the denraen and more interested in the conclave and outside world. That seems like the point, but Endric is heavily invested in the denraen. That’s what’s important to him, and the series so far is failing to make it matter to the readers.

Soldier Son and Solder Sworn (books 1 and 3, respectively) are fantastic, so you have to read Soldier Sword at if you get into the series. It’s decent, just very overshadowed by the rest in the series.

Main Character Score: 4 / 5

Side Character Score 3 / 5

Setting Score 3 / 5

Plot: 3 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 5 / 5

Total Score: 3.6 /5

Unfortunately most of this review is colored by my reading The Immortal Circus first. I like Claire, she’s interesting and fun and queer! In the previous series, there was a lesbian but she was a side character. Claire is front and center, and while she enjoys casual sex as a large part of her hobbies it feels like a part of her, not the sun she revolves around. I do currently like the previous main character from the Circus, but I read about that person for 3 books. I’ve yet to finish Claire’s story and I look forward to seeing her grow.

The plot was a little strange and felt slow. This book presented great questions but that felt like it’s entire purpose. A lot of scenes felt like filler, though good filler. The characters were the main draw, and every interaction was fun and interesting. There was a small, small bury your gays moment but I’m not too sure that the dead character was actually queer in any capacity. 

Kahler has created an amazing, detailed world, with interesting magic and creatures. I can’t wait to keep reading this excellent series.

Main Character Score: 4 / 5

Side Character Score 4 / 5

Setting Score 3 / 5

Plot: 3 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 5 / 5

The story involves a lot of romance, which will probably be a focal point of most of the series. The main character, Kalinda, dreamt of a quiet life in a sisterhood before she was chosen to become a queen. Her personal emphasis on sisterhood stood strong throughout the novel, regardless of her sprouting relationship or her position as a future queen.

The side characters in this book are stronger than most I’ve read lately, featuring diverse backgrounds, desires, and attributes. It wasn’t quite a grand chess game but there was still political movements and secret plots. I was intrigued by the relationships between all the queens, and wish I could have learned more, as most of the focus was on Kali and her powers.

The end of the book was both satisfying and not. It set up the sequels wonderfully but in doing so left it sort of unfulfilled. That being said, this book is great and I can’t wait for the sequel.

Main Character Score: 5 / 5

Side Character Score 4 / 5

Setting Score 4 / 5

Plot: 4 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 5 / 5

Total Score: 4.4 /5

The main character, Matrona, is deeply likable. She’s unique, a hero who is both bold and meek, strong willed and obedient. Her flaws are relatable and real. She wants to be a good person. She wants to be loved. She wants to be happy and keep everyone safe. 

The other characters aren’t as strong as Matrona. Effort was made but it didn’t follow through, much like the book itself. The first half of the book was excellent, it introduced us to a vibrant world and a compelling mystery. The magic, initially, is intriguing. How does it work? What’s the process? We never find out. It’s immediately abandoned in an extremely disappointing turn.

The longer I continued to read the less interesting it became. This is definitely Holmberg’s weakest book. I recommend starting with Followed by Frost or The Paper Magician, and coming back to this book if you want to read more of her content.

Main Character Score: 5 / 5

Side Character Score 2 / 5

Setting Score 4 / 5

Plot: 2 / 5

Writing Quality & Editing: 3 / 5

Total Score: 3.2 /5