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Falling Kingdoms #2
Rebel Spring
Auranos has been conquered and the three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But alluring, dangerous magic still beckons, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the world. . . .
CLEO is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people MAGNUS stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia LUCIA is haunted by the deadly outcome of her breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms JONAS watches at the palace gates, a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius When Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of cataclysmic events that will forever change the face of this land.
CLEO is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people MAGNUS stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia LUCIA is haunted by the deadly outcome of her breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms JONAS watches at the palace gates, a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius When Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of cataclysmic events that will forever change the face of this land.
401 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2013
724 people are currently reading
28.1k people want to read
About the author
Morgan Rhodes
22books6,655followersMorgan Rhodes lives in Ontario, Canada. As a child, she always wanted to be a princess -- the kind that knows how to wield a sharp sword to help save both kingdoms and princes from fire-breathing dragons and dark wizards. Instead, she became a writer, which is just as good and much less dangerous. Along with writing, Morgan enjoys photography, travel, reality TV, and is an extremely picky, yet voracious reader of all kinds of books. Under another pen name, she’s a national bestselling author of many paranormal novels. Falling Kingdoms is her first high fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,005 reviews
February 7, 2016
This series is phenomenal, Rebel Spring was a fantastic 2nd book in this series!
5/5 stars!
5/5 stars!
March 15, 2018
Re read on audio to finish out the series 😊💕 Still enjoy it!
THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF PICS/GIFS IN THIS REVIEW BECAUSE OF ALL MY FEELS!!!!!!
As in the first book, I hate King Gaius and Aron! All I wanted to happen to them was a beheading!
There are so many things I couldn't stand about the both of them, but here is a little taste of King Gaius.
With unexpected speed, he took hold of her head with both hands and twisted sharply. The girl's neck broke with a loud crack. She crumpled to the ground, her wide eyes now blank and glazed and absent of life.
I'm still not sure how I felt about Queen Althea in this one, but that's neither here nor there at this point.
So, KingdumbarseGaius announces that Magnus and Cleo are to be wed, which neither of them want, but that don't matter.
Lucia is in a poison induced sleep because someone doesn't want her to wake because of a certain reason and I can't tell you!!!! What do you want! In these dreams though, she gets to meet dreamy Alexius who is a Watcher from Sanctuary. He tries to explain to her about Sanctuary and her powers etc.
Moving on.....
Lysandra is just so cool and she joins Jonas and Brion's Rebel Army. I love her snark :) And she's a good fighter.
Then someone kills someone and blames it on someone else and I'm like well that's great and what not....
Later on..... a bunch of stuff happens, liked weddings and tornadoes and earthquakes.. you know the usual...
Magnus goes out on errand for the King and all kinds of shite ensues. This is where I have to refer to the rest of the book in visual effects.....
So Magnus has to take stupid Aron with him and some other peeps. Jonas, Brion and Lysandra are running around with some other rebels... it seems everyone is out in the woods tonight.
There is a moment that just broke my heart..
and
But then... something good happens. I was so happy.. so happy!
and
Then damn it.. if I'm not back to this...
But then, Phaedra, she's a Watcher and she makes me happy again!
But then there is a sad part, but I'm not sure if it's really sad or if something else happened. I can't imagine what is going to happen in the next book. I will read it when I can because I need a break from the feels.
Needless to say this book made me feel sad but mostly....
I'm looking forward to some really good revenge coming up in the next books. God, I hope so anyway!
THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF PICS/GIFS IN THIS REVIEW BECAUSE OF ALL MY FEELS!!!!!!
As in the first book, I hate King Gaius and Aron! All I wanted to happen to them was a beheading!
There are so many things I couldn't stand about the both of them, but here is a little taste of King Gaius.
With unexpected speed, he took hold of her head with both hands and twisted sharply. The girl's neck broke with a loud crack. She crumpled to the ground, her wide eyes now blank and glazed and absent of life.
I'm still not sure how I felt about Queen Althea in this one, but that's neither here nor there at this point.
So, King
Lucia is in a poison induced sleep because someone doesn't want her to wake because of a certain reason and I can't tell you!!!! What do you want! In these dreams though, she gets to meet dreamy Alexius who is a Watcher from Sanctuary. He tries to explain to her about Sanctuary and her powers etc.
Moving on.....
Lysandra is just so cool and she joins Jonas and Brion's Rebel Army. I love her snark :) And she's a good fighter.
Then someone kills someone and blames it on someone else and I'm like well that's great and what not....
Later on..... a bunch of stuff happens, liked weddings and tornadoes and earthquakes.. you know the usual...
Magnus goes out on errand for the King and all kinds of shite ensues. This is where I have to refer to the rest of the book in visual effects.....
So Magnus has to take stupid Aron with him and some other peeps. Jonas, Brion and Lysandra are running around with some other rebels... it seems everyone is out in the woods tonight.
There is a moment that just broke my heart..
and
But then... something good happens. I was so happy.. so happy!
and
Then damn it.. if I'm not back to this...
But then, Phaedra, she's a Watcher and she makes me happy again!
But then there is a sad part, but I'm not sure if it's really sad or if something else happened. I can't imagine what is going to happen in the next book. I will read it when I can because I need a break from the feels.
Needless to say this book made me feel sad but mostly....
I'm looking forward to some really good revenge coming up in the next books. God, I hope so anyway!
August 20, 2015
2 1/2 stars.
I'm honestly not sure if this rating is generous or harsh. I'll let you be the judge.
On the one hand, I couldn't stop myself from coming back to this series after reading . Rhodes is an extremely compelling writer. Every scene is crafted in such a way that you're on the edge of your seat, hanging on the author's every word. It's a case of excellent dramatic timing - dragging the scene out with a perfect amount of tension before dropping a dramatic revelation or conclusion on the reader.
And the character dynamics are all exciting. Lots of passions and hatred flowing around, including forbidden relationships, dark secrets, etc. You would think all the aforementioned would add up to a great book, right?
Except I simply can't ignore the fact that this is one of the most derivative series I've ever read.
Literally every major plot point has been borrowed from other fantasy series. I know you can generally expect familiar elements from the genre - royal politics, competing for the throne/power, citizen rebellions - but this goes way beyond that. And the book gets most of its material from - no surprise - 's A Song of Ice and Fire.
I can ignore basic setting aspects like the North being all ice and the South being warmer and the general theme of competing for the throne. But King Gaius is like a mash-up of Tywin Lannister and Stannis Baratheon.
He takes over Auranos, kills their king, and captures PrincessSansa Cleo, intending to force her to marry his son and future king. However his son - Magnus - has something other than platonic feelings for his sister. Meanwhile, King Gaius is secretly advised by a strange, mystical woman called Lady Melisandre Melenia.
Separate from all of this, rebels are coming together to try and overthrow King Gaius and take back their country.
I feel like I already know what happens. There is a little part of me that enjoys reading Rhodes' fast-paced, drama-filled plagiarism, but there's a much bigger part that's telling me to go find something better and more original.
| | | | |
I'm honestly not sure if this rating is generous or harsh. I'll let you be the judge.
On the one hand, I couldn't stop myself from coming back to this series after reading . Rhodes is an extremely compelling writer. Every scene is crafted in such a way that you're on the edge of your seat, hanging on the author's every word. It's a case of excellent dramatic timing - dragging the scene out with a perfect amount of tension before dropping a dramatic revelation or conclusion on the reader.
And the character dynamics are all exciting. Lots of passions and hatred flowing around, including forbidden relationships, dark secrets, etc. You would think all the aforementioned would add up to a great book, right?
Except I simply can't ignore the fact that this is one of the most derivative series I've ever read.
Literally every major plot point has been borrowed from other fantasy series. I know you can generally expect familiar elements from the genre - royal politics, competing for the throne/power, citizen rebellions - but this goes way beyond that. And the book gets most of its material from - no surprise - 's A Song of Ice and Fire.
I can ignore basic setting aspects like the North being all ice and the South being warmer and the general theme of competing for the throne. But King Gaius is like a mash-up of Tywin Lannister and Stannis Baratheon.
He takes over Auranos, kills their king, and captures Princess
Separate from all of this, rebels are coming together to try and overthrow King Gaius and take back their country.
I feel like I already know what happens. There is a little part of me that enjoys reading Rhodes' fast-paced, drama-filled plagiarism, but there's a much bigger part that's telling me to go find something better and more original.
| | | | |
June 18, 2017
See this review and more at
Falling Kingdoms 1: ★★✩✩�
_______________
Incredible. It's somehow even worse than the first one.
I'm a patient person but this series tests the limits of that patience in a big way. If I hadn't been reading this as part of a Fantasy League group, I probably would have DNF'ed it. There's simply not enough of value in this discount Game of Thrones to make the journey worth it, and it boggles my mind that it's seen as much success in the YA community as the writing just isn't very good.
The plotting in this book is so predictable. It follows a pretty standard formula that repeats itself every 5 chapters or so.
Characterization really goes straight out the window here in favor of cheap surprises meant to shock the reader. Let me make it very clear though: there is a difference between true character growth, and completely altering a character's personality between chapters. It happens multiple times here that a character who was previously defined by one generic set of traits suddenly reveals themselves to be the opposite of those traits and they get to deliver a robotic and cliche-ridden speech about how evil they really are, while I wondered why I was supposed to care.
The writing feels emotionally manipulative to me. It's clear Rhodes hasn't plotted this thing out from start to finish, so instead she relies on shock factor and excitement to keep readers invested. Every time things start to get stale, either a death or unexpected romance is thrown in, and then the story spins on in the same cyclical fashion from there.
___________________
***Since my friend and fellow Fantasy League member, Kaylin, explained this next part better than I did, I'm going to include a link to her review about the treatment of a bisexual character as a plot twist type of reveal near the end of the book.***
Check her review out here!
___________________
There's a great deal of pandering too. Such as involving an established straight character in a gay/bisexual subplot 2 chapters from the end, which should tell you how much it factored into the story. Almost like someone informed Rhodes that it's in now to have gay characters in YA books, so instead of crafting a new character she just up and makes a straight character bisexual in the 11th hour to claim diversity points.
Lastly, while no character here is particularly memorable or likable, Jonas remains one of the worst characters ever. I hate him. Hate him, hate him, hate him.
He's clearly Morgan Rhodes' favorite and as such he can do absolutely no wrong. Our Fantasy League took to hashtagging #JustJonasThings (Thanks Kaylin for coming up with the term!) every time Jonas did or said something totally ridiculous - which was all the time. If we had played a drinking game I think we all would have died of alcohol poisoning.
I just do not get the hype with this series. It has got to be the most overrated, poorly written, popular series I've read this year. I was alternating between 1 and 2 stars again, but I'm settling on 1 this time. Given that this is the second book in the series, I would have expected many of the issues from the first book to be fixed here - but they're not. In fact they're amplified, so I'm settling on 1 star. This series just is not worth the time.
That being said, the League is forging on and we'll be continuing on with the third book in a few weeks, so keep your eye out for that.
★✩✩✩� = 1/5 "read anything else, really," stars
__________________
__________________________
Falling Kingdoms 1: ★★✩✩�
_______________
Incredible. It's somehow even worse than the first one.
I'm a patient person but this series tests the limits of that patience in a big way. If I hadn't been reading this as part of a Fantasy League group, I probably would have DNF'ed it. There's simply not enough of value in this discount Game of Thrones to make the journey worth it, and it boggles my mind that it's seen as much success in the YA community as the writing just isn't very good.
The plotting in this book is so predictable. It follows a pretty standard formula that repeats itself every 5 chapters or so.
🗡� Cleo reminds someone how terrible her life is - they both cry over the tragedy.
🗡� A character reminds Jonas how perfect he is at everything he does - usually with a declaration of love.
🗡� A character reveals themselves as evil, usually with a monologue about how evil they are.
🗡� Someone related to one of the 3 leads (Cleo, Magnus/Lucia and Jonas,) dies. The person they were closest to cycles every 5 chapters.
🗡� Repeat
Characterization really goes straight out the window here in favor of cheap surprises meant to shock the reader. Let me make it very clear though: there is a difference between true character growth, and completely altering a character's personality between chapters. It happens multiple times here that a character who was previously defined by one generic set of traits suddenly reveals themselves to be the opposite of those traits and they get to deliver a robotic and cliche-ridden speech about how evil they really are, while I wondered why I was supposed to care.
The writing feels emotionally manipulative to me. It's clear Rhodes hasn't plotted this thing out from start to finish, so instead she relies on shock factor and excitement to keep readers invested. Every time things start to get stale, either a death or unexpected romance is thrown in, and then the story spins on in the same cyclical fashion from there.
___________________
***Since my friend and fellow Fantasy League member, Kaylin, explained this next part better than I did, I'm going to include a link to her review about the treatment of a bisexual character as a plot twist type of reveal near the end of the book.***
Check her review out here!
___________________
There's a great deal of pandering too. Such as involving an established straight character in a gay/bisexual subplot 2 chapters from the end, which should tell you how much it factored into the story. Almost like someone informed Rhodes that it's in now to have gay characters in YA books, so instead of crafting a new character she just up and makes a straight character bisexual in the 11th hour to claim diversity points.
Edit: for the SJWS getting angry: I'm not erasing the fact that bisexuality exists with this complaint. The fact of the matter is - this revelation about this character happens 900+ pages into this series, and there is quite literally NOTHING foreshadowing it. At all. In fact, the reveal itself is played for suspense - Rhodes makes the reader fear for this character's life before he's suddenly being kissed by his would be murderer and it's revealed that he decides he's into it after he just spent 900 pages pining over a woman. I would have zero qualms with the gay/bisexual reveal, if it had been properly developed. Get out of here with your fake outrage and virtue signaling.
Lastly, while no character here is particularly memorable or likable, Jonas remains one of the worst characters ever. I hate him. Hate him, hate him, hate him.
He's clearly Morgan Rhodes' favorite and as such he can do absolutely no wrong. Our Fantasy League took to hashtagging #JustJonasThings (Thanks Kaylin for coming up with the term!) every time Jonas did or said something totally ridiculous - which was all the time. If we had played a drinking game I think we all would have died of alcohol poisoning.
I just do not get the hype with this series. It has got to be the most overrated, poorly written, popular series I've read this year. I was alternating between 1 and 2 stars again, but I'm settling on 1 this time. Given that this is the second book in the series, I would have expected many of the issues from the first book to be fixed here - but they're not. In fact they're amplified, so I'm settling on 1 star. This series just is not worth the time.
That being said, the League is forging on and we'll be continuing on with the third book in a few weeks, so keep your eye out for that.
★✩✩✩� = 1/5 "read anything else, really," stars
__________________
A shout out to our Fallen Kingdoms Fantasy League with these fine folk:
🗡Frankie Lovely
🗡Mary, ~Ravager of Tomes~
🗡Kaylin
🗡Rachelle
🗡Jeremy
__________________________
January 9, 2018
WOW.
I mean... what???
*coughs* I'm sorry I'm literally just at a loss for words at this moment...
Just kidding, here are some very disappointed & bitter words for you.
So... by some feat of horrible linguistic gymnastics, this book is actually worse than , which I also gave a 1 star.
I see people say all the time "I would give this book negative stars if I could." Well, this is it for me folks. This is the book I would give negative stars to if I had that capability.
I honestly can't decide which aspect of this novel is the worst. Is it the horribly inconsistent characterization? Is it the juvenile writing style? Perhaps the plot that manages to be both choppy & nonexistent at the same time?
I guess I'll just ramble about all three & let you guys decide!
So it seems everyone is going to be "in love" with everyone at some point in the series. That in itself is very inconsistent within the parameters of this story.
We've got characters switching from despising other characters with every fiber of their being to being head over heels in love with them. And it's not even a sexy "enemies-to-lovers" situation. It's a complete & total blindside.
It's "Oh man... 'insert character' sure is hot... Mmm he smells like AXE White Label Body Wash for Men� even though he hasn't had a bath for weeks... I sure did hate him before but I guess I'm in love with him now, oops."
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Am I supposed to be invested in the relationships these characters are forming? This rapidly shifting web of shitty love geometry? Am I suppose to sympathize? Is this a comedy in disguise? Am I misunderstanding a joke here because if I am someone please don't hesitate to fill me in??
On top of this we have characters constantly contradicting their own decisions about who they want to be. I'm not going to spoil this book in my review, but it'll suffice to say that the only characters who truly remain consistent are the most basic, predictably awful, wears-black-to-let-you-know-they're-evil characters.
Next we've got literally some of the worst writing I think I've ever been exposed to on a professional platform. The dialogue so, so dreadful.
As with the first book, everyone sounds exactly the same regardless of status, upbringing, age, race, etc. Characters are constantly posturing left & right, puffing up their chests & being defiant with no realistic follow-through action whatsoever.
I've formed a horrible habit of rolling my eyes or saying "Pfft, yea okay, sure buddy." anytime anyone says anything at all. I just do not believeeeeee.
It feels like Rhodes' characters desperately want to convince you & themselves that they are a certain way or believe a certain thing, but the result is a lot of head shaking & sarcastic mocking noises on my part.
You end up taking all of the dialogue with the same grain of salt you take a child's statement that they will be an astronaut when they grow up.
Is it possible that child will be an astronaut? Sure it is! But do you expect that child to understand the kind of realistic, adult trials & tribulations they're committing to to actually become an astronaut? Of course you don't.
The only difference is that my instincts are to be positive & encouraging to that small child in my example, while the only instinctual response these ridiculous characters invoke in me is to backhand them.
But perhaps the most disappointing is the fact that after 800+ pages this plot has gone basically nowhere.
Sure sure, things have happened. But almost nothing interesting has happened!
The plot is so weighed down by the unnecessary angst & contrived inner struggles of these characters. The pieces of the story that do break through the nonsense unfold at an uneven pace & ultimately are so immature that they don't end up mattering enough to improve my reading experience.
Deaths left & right! But do they matter? No, they do not.
Lots of "DUN DUN DUN" moments that most readers will see coming a mile away.
There's just nothing new here.
So far, my experience with this series has been completely uninspired & honestly I don't anticipate the next book will do much to change that fact.
So why keep reading, you may ask?
Well here's why.
I'm currently participating in a Fantasy League Buddy Read with these lovely folks:
� Frankie
� Kaylin
� Rachelle
� Jeremy
� Bentley
Each week we guess new ships & deaths. I can only think of one other series where there are so many different ships & deaths that a league like this will make sense, and that is A Song of Ice and Fire (which I have no interest in reading at this time, oops shoot me.)
Anyway, I'm having a wonderful time participating in this league & hearing everyone's thoughts as we read & so unless the next book literally reaches into my chest & crushes my heart I'll be continuing along with this beautiful group of people for as long as I can!
I mean... what???
*coughs* I'm sorry I'm literally just at a loss for words at this moment...
Just kidding, here are some very disappointed & bitter words for you.
So... by some feat of horrible linguistic gymnastics, this book is actually worse than , which I also gave a 1 star.
I see people say all the time "I would give this book negative stars if I could." Well, this is it for me folks. This is the book I would give negative stars to if I had that capability.
I honestly can't decide which aspect of this novel is the worst. Is it the horribly inconsistent characterization? Is it the juvenile writing style? Perhaps the plot that manages to be both choppy & nonexistent at the same time?
I guess I'll just ramble about all three & let you guys decide!
So it seems everyone is going to be "in love" with everyone at some point in the series. That in itself is very inconsistent within the parameters of this story.
We've got characters switching from despising other characters with every fiber of their being to being head over heels in love with them. And it's not even a sexy "enemies-to-lovers" situation. It's a complete & total blindside.
It's "Oh man... 'insert character' sure is hot... Mmm he smells like AXE White Label Body Wash for Men� even though he hasn't had a bath for weeks... I sure did hate him before but I guess I'm in love with him now, oops."
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Am I supposed to be invested in the relationships these characters are forming? This rapidly shifting web of shitty love geometry? Am I suppose to sympathize? Is this a comedy in disguise? Am I misunderstanding a joke here because if I am someone please don't hesitate to fill me in??
On top of this we have characters constantly contradicting their own decisions about who they want to be. I'm not going to spoil this book in my review, but it'll suffice to say that the only characters who truly remain consistent are the most basic, predictably awful, wears-black-to-let-you-know-they're-evil characters.
Next we've got literally some of the worst writing I think I've ever been exposed to on a professional platform. The dialogue so, so dreadful.
As with the first book, everyone sounds exactly the same regardless of status, upbringing, age, race, etc. Characters are constantly posturing left & right, puffing up their chests & being defiant with no realistic follow-through action whatsoever.
I've formed a horrible habit of rolling my eyes or saying "Pfft, yea okay, sure buddy." anytime anyone says anything at all. I just do not believeeeeee.
It feels like Rhodes' characters desperately want to convince you & themselves that they are a certain way or believe a certain thing, but the result is a lot of head shaking & sarcastic mocking noises on my part.
You end up taking all of the dialogue with the same grain of salt you take a child's statement that they will be an astronaut when they grow up.
Is it possible that child will be an astronaut? Sure it is! But do you expect that child to understand the kind of realistic, adult trials & tribulations they're committing to to actually become an astronaut? Of course you don't.
The only difference is that my instincts are to be positive & encouraging to that small child in my example, while the only instinctual response these ridiculous characters invoke in me is to backhand them.
But perhaps the most disappointing is the fact that after 800+ pages this plot has gone basically nowhere.
Sure sure, things have happened. But almost nothing interesting has happened!
The plot is so weighed down by the unnecessary angst & contrived inner struggles of these characters. The pieces of the story that do break through the nonsense unfold at an uneven pace & ultimately are so immature that they don't end up mattering enough to improve my reading experience.
Deaths left & right! But do they matter? No, they do not.
Lots of "DUN DUN DUN" moments that most readers will see coming a mile away.
There's just nothing new here.
So far, my experience with this series has been completely uninspired & honestly I don't anticipate the next book will do much to change that fact.
So why keep reading, you may ask?
Well here's why.
I'm currently participating in a Fantasy League Buddy Read with these lovely folks:
� Frankie
� Kaylin
� Rachelle
� Jeremy
� Bentley
Each week we guess new ships & deaths. I can only think of one other series where there are so many different ships & deaths that a league like this will make sense, and that is A Song of Ice and Fire (which I have no interest in reading at this time, oops shoot me.)
Anyway, I'm having a wonderful time participating in this league & hearing everyone's thoughts as we read & so unless the next book literally reaches into my chest & crushes my heart I'll be continuing along with this beautiful group of people for as long as I can!
March 17, 2018
MAGNEO IS MY SHIP AND IF IT DOESN'T SAIL I WILL EAT MY OWN TOES, YOU HEAR ME?
Anyway, why the fuck is JONAS NOT DEAD THIS ANNOYING FUCKING FOOL. i literally fuckiNg hate him so much, I just AKFJSKDBKS FUCK JONAS AND HIS DUMB FUCKING ASS. dONT SAY HIS NAME NEAR ME I WILL SCREAM.
This is a Great Series and I would like the next book to be shoved down my throat, thank u.
Okay but real talk, this series is bad and there's insta love everywhere but it's actually Good and read it because there's pain and you need to suffer what i went through, good day sir.
------
I want to dip Magnus in frying oil.
Anyway, why the fuck is JONAS NOT DEAD THIS ANNOYING FUCKING FOOL. i literally fuckiNg hate him so much, I just AKFJSKDBKS FUCK JONAS AND HIS DUMB FUCKING ASS. dONT SAY HIS NAME NEAR ME I WILL SCREAM.
This is a Great Series and I would like the next book to be shoved down my throat, thank u.
Okay but real talk, this series is bad and there's insta love everywhere but it's actually Good and read it because there's pain and you need to suffer what i went through, good day sir.
------
I want to dip Magnus in frying oil.
July 2, 2023
2023
I'm finally getting this whole series done, I swear.
I will say that I noticed a lot more of the...not love triangle because there aren't just 3 people...but there's a lot of potential love interest stuff happening between all of the characters. It didn't hurt my enjoyment, but your mileage may vary with that sort of thing.
2021
The narrator for this is AMAZING. I'm crushed that my library is only hit and miss with the audio versions because Fred Berman is maybe one of the best narrators that I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.
Ok, so this was just as good (maybe better?) than it was the first time around. I can't believe I let this series fall to the wayside because it's such an incredibly interesting story.
2015
Well, I'm back for Round 2 of this series that my Pushy Librarian is making me read!
If you don't have a Pushy Librarian of your own, I highly recommend you get one. Mine is very sweet once you get to know her...
The first book, Falling Kingdoms, was a total bloodbath. Main characters that I thought would make it to the end of the series weren't any safer than the minor characters who barely had time to say OUCH! before someone killed them off. So, I was kinda expecting the same thing to happen in Rebel Spring.
Ha!
The author changed it up on me, and I got lulled into a false sense of security. Not very many people bite it in this one, but when they did? I didn't see it coming.
I would be all, La-la-la-la-la!, and then BOOM! CRACK! SNAP!
Wait. What?! Really? Did he just twist her head off?!
Did that really happen in the story? Eh. I may be exaggerating. A tad.
But, this one is a true story:
I had just read the part where a knife is sliding into the heart of one of the Main Characters, and all I needed to do was turn the page to see how it all turned out. And I swear, the alarm on my phone goes off to let me know it's time to get in the car & pick up the kids from school, or I'll be late.
I actually sat there for a few seconds thinking to myself...
Would it REALLY kill them to be the last kids picked up. I'm never late. Maybe they'd appreciate me more if they had to sweat it this one time? It could be a learning experience for them!
In the end, even a slack parent like myself couldn't rationalize it, but I came close. Real close.
Does that make me a bad mom?
Maybe. But you know what I tell my kids?
I really think this series may be perfect for me.
You have multiple POVs going on, with each story telling a different side to the main plot. And there are honestly too many for me to go into detail with each one. The main ones I'm riveted by are Magnus and Cleo. Especially Magnus. He's the son of the evil king who has just forcibly taken over two other kingdoms. This dude has serious issues going on in his personal life. Not the least of which are his unrequited feelings toward his adopted sister.
Now, normally, I'd be all horrified and disgusted by this.
Because...
But Rhodes manages to keep him from feeling like a total scumbag. By the end of this book, I was actually rooting for him, because it seems like he may be on the verge of going in a different direction. In fact, almost every character is wildly different than they were when we first met them. That's not to say they all got personality transplants, but it seems like they are growing and changing in a natural way. Each one influenced by their own experiences during the course of the story.
Very cool!
Another thing I'm enjoying about this is the distinct lack of Twue Wuv as something that moves the plot. And now that I think about it, nobody in the entire book is having much luck in the love department.
It's one long list that looks like this:
He-Loves-Her-But-She-Loves-Someone-Else-And-They-Ain't-Interested.
I'd like to go on and on about his one, but the truth is, I have the next book sitting on my coffee table right now.
If you're looking for a YA Game of Thrones sort of tale, then check this out.
I'm finally getting this whole series done, I swear.
I will say that I noticed a lot more of the...not love triangle because there aren't just 3 people...but there's a lot of potential love interest stuff happening between all of the characters. It didn't hurt my enjoyment, but your mileage may vary with that sort of thing.
2021
The narrator for this is AMAZING. I'm crushed that my library is only hit and miss with the audio versions because Fred Berman is maybe one of the best narrators that I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.
Ok, so this was just as good (maybe better?) than it was the first time around. I can't believe I let this series fall to the wayside because it's such an incredibly interesting story.
2015
Well, I'm back for Round 2 of this series that my Pushy Librarian is making me read!
If you don't have a Pushy Librarian of your own, I highly recommend you get one. Mine is very sweet once you get to know her...
The first book, Falling Kingdoms, was a total bloodbath. Main characters that I thought would make it to the end of the series weren't any safer than the minor characters who barely had time to say OUCH! before someone killed them off. So, I was kinda expecting the same thing to happen in Rebel Spring.
Ha!
The author changed it up on me, and I got lulled into a false sense of security. Not very many people bite it in this one, but when they did? I didn't see it coming.
I would be all, La-la-la-la-la!, and then BOOM! CRACK! SNAP!
Wait. What?! Really? Did he just twist her head off?!
Did that really happen in the story? Eh. I may be exaggerating. A tad.
But, this one is a true story:
I had just read the part where a knife is sliding into the heart of one of the Main Characters, and all I needed to do was turn the page to see how it all turned out. And I swear, the alarm on my phone goes off to let me know it's time to get in the car & pick up the kids from school, or I'll be late.
I actually sat there for a few seconds thinking to myself...
Would it REALLY kill them to be the last kids picked up. I'm never late. Maybe they'd appreciate me more if they had to sweat it this one time? It could be a learning experience for them!
In the end, even a slack parent like myself couldn't rationalize it, but I came close. Real close.
Does that make me a bad mom?
Maybe. But you know what I tell my kids?
I really think this series may be perfect for me.
You have multiple POVs going on, with each story telling a different side to the main plot. And there are honestly too many for me to go into detail with each one. The main ones I'm riveted by are Magnus and Cleo. Especially Magnus. He's the son of the evil king who has just forcibly taken over two other kingdoms. This dude has serious issues going on in his personal life. Not the least of which are his unrequited feelings toward his adopted sister.
Now, normally, I'd be all horrified and disgusted by this.
Because...
But Rhodes manages to keep him from feeling like a total scumbag. By the end of this book, I was actually rooting for him, because it seems like he may be on the verge of going in a different direction. In fact, almost every character is wildly different than they were when we first met them. That's not to say they all got personality transplants, but it seems like they are growing and changing in a natural way. Each one influenced by their own experiences during the course of the story.
Very cool!
Another thing I'm enjoying about this is the distinct lack of Twue Wuv as something that moves the plot. And now that I think about it, nobody in the entire book is having much luck in the love department.
It's one long list that looks like this:
He-Loves-Her-But-She-Loves-Someone-Else-And-They-Ain't-Interested.
I'd like to go on and on about his one, but the truth is, I have the next book sitting on my coffee table right now.
If you're looking for a YA Game of Thrones sort of tale, then check this out.
July 3, 2023
That was so fucking good. Starting the 3rd book now. (Let's hope there will be lots of scenes of Magnus and Cleo.).
April 30, 2016
Do you know the feeling when after finishing a good book,it takes some time and considerable effort to adapt to reality again,to make sense of your surroundings and comprehend the sentences that form in the lips of the people around you?When your mind is clouded and refuses to operate and the only thing that matters is to go back in this book,go back where your soul lies?
is one of those books.After I finished it,I could hear people moving and talking,I recognized the need to study,but I just didn't care.Because it was that good.
Falling Kingdoms is the Young Adult version of A Song of Ice and Fire,without the explicit sex scenes and the gore. took us one step further to unraveling the secrets and the meaning of the prophecy about the sorceress and the Kindred in the land of Mytica,which is now ruled by the King of Blood who keeps his people loyal by lying to them and killing anyone who opposes him.The Watchers interfere in the world of the Mortals for their own benefit,everyone has a secret agenda and our 4 heroes still try to figure out their place in their everchanging world.
One of ' best assets is that she doesn't fail to surprise you.There were so many unexpected deaths that I lost count and I had to read it again and again until I accepted what happened.Shocked and shouting profanities was my permanent state!When eveything was peaceful and calm,I got slapped in the face by a plot twist,and not only regarding who lives and who dies.Revelations of schemings and betrayals,romances out of the blue and people doing something out of their character are part of this uncanny ability of Ms.Rhodes.
Magnus
Here's a moral question;is it ok to fall in love with the guy who killed the guy I was in love with?Because honestly,I did not see that coming.There are many things that Magnus needs to do to earn his atonement,since every time something atrocious happened in the name of the king he discarded his discomfort as irrelevant,but I deeply hope he will defy the monster he calls his father.He has some moments of humanity that show his heart will not be covered with ice for long.
Cleo
That's my girl!Cleo is still overly confident and naive,I have to admit that,but she started claiming her own fate with her small acts of defiance,and I expect great things from her!
Lucia
Hmm I think she is going crazy.I liked her in the first book,but she has become so heartless and cruel that she matches her father.And the worst thing is,most of the times she likes that change,she embraces the darkness with open arms.Not a good thing.
Jonas
Nope,I have nothing.He is still an indifferent character,he accomplishes nothing yet he makes it look like he does a lot.There are signs of developement though,so I just have to wait and see.
But you don't have to wait.You have to go read Falling Kingdoms and discover yourselves!
is one of those books.After I finished it,I could hear people moving and talking,I recognized the need to study,but I just didn't care.Because it was that good.
“Sometimes,to regain sanity,one had to acknowledge and embrace the madness.�
Falling Kingdoms is the Young Adult version of A Song of Ice and Fire,without the explicit sex scenes and the gore. took us one step further to unraveling the secrets and the meaning of the prophecy about the sorceress and the Kindred in the land of Mytica,which is now ruled by the King of Blood who keeps his people loyal by lying to them and killing anyone who opposes him.The Watchers interfere in the world of the Mortals for their own benefit,everyone has a secret agenda and our 4 heroes still try to figure out their place in their everchanging world.
One of ' best assets is that she doesn't fail to surprise you.There were so many unexpected deaths that I lost count and I had to read it again and again until I accepted what happened.Shocked and shouting profanities was my permanent state!When eveything was peaceful and calm,I got slapped in the face by a plot twist,and not only regarding who lives and who dies.Revelations of schemings and betrayals,romances out of the blue and people doing something out of their character are part of this uncanny ability of Ms.Rhodes.
Magnus
“Father and I-we're very much the same.We'll do whatever it takes to get what we want,and we'll hurt whoever gets in our way,no matter who they are.Without conscience or remorse.�
Here's a moral question;is it ok to fall in love with the guy who killed the guy I was in love with?Because honestly,I did not see that coming.There are many things that Magnus needs to do to earn his atonement,since every time something atrocious happened in the name of the king he discarded his discomfort as irrelevant,but I deeply hope he will defy the monster he calls his father.He has some moments of humanity that show his heart will not be covered with ice for long.
Cleo
“Think of me what you will.But I swear to the goddess I will have my throne back-and King Gaius will pay for his crimes.�
That's my girl!Cleo is still overly confident and naive,I have to admit that,but she started claiming her own fate with her small acts of defiance,and I expect great things from her!
Lucia
“They tell me it's not evil.It doesn't feel evil,really.But there is a darkness taking hold,as if the night itself wraps me in an embrace that grows tighter every moment.�
Hmm I think she is going crazy.I liked her in the first book,but she has become so heartless and cruel that she matches her father.And the worst thing is,most of the times she likes that change,she embraces the darkness with open arms.Not a good thing.
Jonas
Nope,I have nothing.He is still an indifferent character,he accomplishes nothing yet he makes it look like he does a lot.There are signs of developement though,so I just have to wait and see.
But you don't have to wait.You have to go read Falling Kingdoms and discover yourselves!
June 19, 2017
1 Star
Overview:
I wasn't a huge fan of the first book. (2/5 stars)
I found the writing cluttered and the dialogue stilted. The plotting sketchy at best, and the character’s inherently unlikable.
But I enjoyed reading it in a fun fantasy league, and thought there was potential. I was really hopeful this book would be a bit better.
...
It got worse, guys. Just so much worse.
Pros:
*shrug*
I’ve got nothing.
Cons:
HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS
I present to you, quite possibly the worst line I’ve ever read: (As a euphemism for sex.)
Is this not just disgusting sounding?? It literally makes me think of The Blob from the 1950s.
That plot? That was sketchy before? It’s not sketchy. It’s nonexistent. Everything happens incredibly randomly. Despite having just read this whole book, I feel like NOTHING HAPPENED and we're basically where we started.
But then everything that does happen is so completely over-the-top-ridiculous. For example:
- There’s a literal magic tornado of death that appears out of nowhere and the character’s shrug it off.
- A character decided to start a rebellion by literally approaching random people and asking if they want to join his rebellion.
- The horribly evil king who supposedly slaughters without remorse spends time telling his teenage son all of his plans
- Two female characters have a “who-suffered-more� contest where they bemoan their horrible circumstances and end up in tears.
- A character who was present for 3-pages of the first book is brought back to be killed in dramatic fashion.
- Every single female character is entranced by Jonas� beauty and immediately loves him.
At one point, a character literally decides to cauterize his own wound. I’m sure this was supposed to make him look badass and impress the lady he’s with—but it’s so medically inaccurate it hurts. The character feels the bleeding from his arm is significant enough to require cauterization, but he spends time talking about it first, doesn’t attempt to hold pressure or stop the bleeding, shows no signs of shock and remains completely composed as he grabs his dirty knife from his pocket to do it. IT’S ALL SO RIDICULOUS I CAN’T EVEN.
All of the characters are absolutely pathetic. There's no motivation for anyone’s actions. Every so often Rhodes will kill a random side-character that supposedly spurs one of our main-characters to action, as if that’s the only sort of motivating factor people are capable of?
Then towards the end, things went from just kind of ridiculous to full-on-awful. First off, a male-character we’ve been familiar with since book one is kissed by another man and enjoys it.
(Before we go any further, my problem is not the characters sexuality. I am literally bisexual myself. I don’t believe a character should be necessarily assumed straight because they’ve shown preference for opposite sex so far.)
If the character was kissed by another man, surprised to find he liked it and had to reevaluate himself and what he wants—I could get behind it. It’s not winning any Pulitzers, but it would have required introspection and actual character development.
What I'm NOT okay with is how the whole scene is written.
- This random man encourages our-character to get drunk, continually buying him drinks. ("more drinks for my friend here!")
- This man makes our-character FEAR for his life and follows him when he tries to leave.
- This man continues to frighten our character ON PURPOSE. ( "You're afraid of me..." he moved closer still. )
Our character reports he’s had 10-15 glasses of fermented rice-wine. (Which wikipedia tells me has an alcohol content of 18%-25%) Do you really think he could consent to anything???
This isn't some big scene that causes a crisis of sexuality. It literally reads like sexual assault. This stranger physically intimidates our impaired character before surprise kissing him and then insisting that the character enjoyed the kiss so much it just opened new worlds. It's gross. And it's even more disgusting that this was how Rhodes decided to add a shred of diversity to her massive cast.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, THE VERY NEXT CHAPTER includes an attempted rape scene. A female character is literally introduced for the sole purpose of being sexually assaulted by one of the “bad guys� so we can be reminded how evil he is and won’t mourn him when he dies two pages later.
Guys there’s quasi-incest in this that’s less disgusting.
In Conclusion:
As awful as this was, I enjoyed reading it in a fun-fantasy league with these lovely people! They are all hilarious and sweet, and the only thing that motivated me to finish this.
* The bunny mama who keeps us all organized, Frankie!
* The one who unlocked Rhodes' entire writing formula, Bentley!
* The ball of rage who hates everyone pretty equally, Mary!
* My medical buddy, who agrees that cauterization was ridiculous, Rachelle!
* The only one of us who liked the first book,
I'm glad we are taking a break before continuing on, because my mind needs it. At this point I'm just hoping it can't get worse.
Overview:
I wasn't a huge fan of the first book. (2/5 stars)
I found the writing cluttered and the dialogue stilted. The plotting sketchy at best, and the character’s inherently unlikable.
But I enjoyed reading it in a fun fantasy league, and thought there was potential. I was really hopeful this book would be a bit better.
...
It got worse, guys. Just so much worse.
Pros:
*shrug*
I’ve got nothing.
Cons:
HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS
I present to you, quite possibly the worst line I’ve ever read: (As a euphemism for sex.)
“We’ve shared flesh.
Is this not just disgusting sounding?? It literally makes me think of The Blob from the 1950s.
That plot? That was sketchy before? It’s not sketchy. It’s nonexistent. Everything happens incredibly randomly. Despite having just read this whole book, I feel like NOTHING HAPPENED and we're basically where we started.
But then everything that does happen is so completely over-the-top-ridiculous. For example:
- There’s a literal magic tornado of death that appears out of nowhere and the character’s shrug it off.
- A character decided to start a rebellion by literally approaching random people and asking if they want to join his rebellion.
- The horribly evil king who supposedly slaughters without remorse spends time telling his teenage son all of his plans
- Two female characters have a “who-suffered-more� contest where they bemoan their horrible circumstances and end up in tears.
- A character who was present for 3-pages of the first book is brought back to be killed in dramatic fashion.
- Every single female character is entranced by Jonas� beauty and immediately loves him.
At one point, a character literally decides to cauterize his own wound. I’m sure this was supposed to make him look badass and impress the lady he’s with—but it’s so medically inaccurate it hurts. The character feels the bleeding from his arm is significant enough to require cauterization, but he spends time talking about it first, doesn’t attempt to hold pressure or stop the bleeding, shows no signs of shock and remains completely composed as he grabs his dirty knife from his pocket to do it. IT’S ALL SO RIDICULOUS I CAN’T EVEN.
All of the characters are absolutely pathetic. There's no motivation for anyone’s actions. Every so often Rhodes will kill a random side-character that supposedly spurs one of our main-characters to action, as if that’s the only sort of motivating factor people are capable of?
Then towards the end, things went from just kind of ridiculous to full-on-awful. First off, a male-character we’ve been familiar with since book one is kissed by another man and enjoys it.
(Before we go any further, my problem is not the characters sexuality. I am literally bisexual myself. I don’t believe a character should be necessarily assumed straight because they’ve shown preference for opposite sex so far.)
If the character was kissed by another man, surprised to find he liked it and had to reevaluate himself and what he wants—I could get behind it. It’s not winning any Pulitzers, but it would have required introspection and actual character development.
What I'm NOT okay with is how the whole scene is written.
- This random man encourages our-character to get drunk, continually buying him drinks. ("more drinks for my friend here!")
- This man makes our-character FEAR for his life and follows him when he tries to leave.
- This man continues to frighten our character ON PURPOSE. ( "You're afraid of me..." he moved closer still. )
Our character reports he’s had 10-15 glasses of fermented rice-wine. (Which wikipedia tells me has an alcohol content of 18%-25%) Do you really think he could consent to anything???
This isn't some big scene that causes a crisis of sexuality. It literally reads like sexual assault. This stranger physically intimidates our impaired character before surprise kissing him and then insisting that the character enjoyed the kiss so much it just opened new worlds. It's gross. And it's even more disgusting that this was how Rhodes decided to add a shred of diversity to her massive cast.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, THE VERY NEXT CHAPTER includes an attempted rape scene. A female character is literally introduced for the sole purpose of being sexually assaulted by one of the “bad guys� so we can be reminded how evil he is and won’t mourn him when he dies two pages later.
Guys there’s quasi-incest in this that’s less disgusting.
In Conclusion:
As awful as this was, I enjoyed reading it in a fun-fantasy league with these lovely people! They are all hilarious and sweet, and the only thing that motivated me to finish this.
* The bunny mama who keeps us all organized, Frankie!
* The one who unlocked Rhodes' entire writing formula, Bentley!
* The ball of rage who hates everyone pretty equally, Mary!
* My medical buddy, who agrees that cauterization was ridiculous, Rachelle!
* The only one of us who liked the first book,
I'm glad we are taking a break before continuing on, because my mind needs it. At this point I'm just hoping it can't get worse.
June 9, 2023
Alright, I am officially addicted.
Read
March 23, 2017Not to sound insensitive but...
I hope hope 's coma will be a long and, if at all possible, unending one.
I hope hope 's coma will be a long and, if at all possible, unending one.
August 18, 2020
4.75 Golden Stars
May the last book of 2019 be a Five-Star!
6th best of 2019
I don't lie if I say I wanted to give it 4 stars until the last 10-15 chapters as I was back in the mood for this world again; all those events! It totally deserved 5 in the end.
it was definitely better than the first book, the characters met & their stories crossed; so many excitements & sarcasm! I laughed a lot & smirked a lot by their wits.
the whole plot was interesting & exciting, the way I like, the end was fantastic, intriguing & shocking. I could jump into the 3rd book.
the only flaw (beside being dragged at some points) was:
I wanted more Magnus!
a few words to the characters:
"please love Magnus!
don't you see he's under how much pressure!?
he has to act like this!
& he was grown up by the hands of king of Blood.
he is the heir!
& it's obvious he's different than him! (why can't you see it?)
the way he'd been surprised (but hid it in an instant) by the acts of his surroundings.
but he knows, I know he knows... I see, I feel!
Pleaseeeee Understand him!"
that's probably my ultimate goal in this series!
thank you very much!
the character developments were strong; the choices they made, the way they acted.
the Prince is changing. (slowly, but certainly)
the Rebel, being braver, stronger & more leader-like.
Re-read 2020: Cleo still could make me angry, but I like her now, she's determined & strong. but Lucia is still annoying & so much like Gaius.
World building: ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★(�)/5
Writing style: ★★★★/5
Plot: ★★★★(�)/5
General idea: ★★★★�/5
-
check out Falling Kingdom review of mine for more details
May the last book of 2019 be a Five-Star!
6th best of 2019
I don't lie if I say I wanted to give it 4 stars until the last 10-15 chapters as I was back in the mood for this world again; all those events! It totally deserved 5 in the end.
it was definitely better than the first book, the characters met & their stories crossed; so many excitements & sarcasm! I laughed a lot & smirked a lot by their wits.
the whole plot was interesting & exciting, the way I like, the end was fantastic, intriguing & shocking. I could jump into the 3rd book.
the only flaw (beside being dragged at some points) was:
I wanted more Magnus!
a few words to the characters:
"please love Magnus!
don't you see he's under how much pressure!?
he has to act like this!
& he was grown up by the hands of king of Blood.
he is the heir!
& it's obvious he's different than him! (why can't you see it?)
the way he'd been surprised (but hid it in an instant) by the acts of his surroundings.
but he knows, I know he knows... I see, I feel!
Pleaseeeee Understand him!"
that's probably my ultimate goal in this series!
thank you very much!
the character developments were strong; the choices they made, the way they acted.
the Prince is changing. (slowly, but certainly)
the Rebel, being braver, stronger & more leader-like.
Re-read 2020: Cleo still could make me angry, but I like her now, she's determined & strong. but Lucia is still annoying & so much like Gaius.
World building: ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★(�)/5
Writing style: ★★★★/5
Plot: ★★★★(�)/5
General idea: ★★★★�/5
-
check out Falling Kingdom review of mine for more details
March 22, 2020
AAAHAGSHSHSVSVSHSVSHSVSUSVSJSBSISHSVSHSVSUSVSUSVSUVSHSVSISVSIIDBSOHMYGODDDDDDD
Pardon my French but HOLY FUCK! What was that? Do you seriously call that an ending???
I need to know what happens, I need the third book like air. I NEED IT. NOW!
After careful consideration, I think I liked Rebel Spring better than the FK, however some things just didn't convince me at all, hence 4 stars instead of 5. Fortunately pour vous et pour moi, it's the kind of things one can easily overcome by wearing super useful fanbase goggles and squinting a little over the cheesiness and the eye-rolling plot escapes.
I even read it all in one sitting, can you believe how much it got me whipped? Like, my eyes are dry and burning but it's okay, my brain would like to let you guys know that it was totally worth it.
Rhodes writes nice dialogues, I'll give it to her. My favorite exchanges were between Cleo and Magnus. I love it when she puts him in his place.
To be honest, I haven't being paying much attention to the technical details, but I found the writing a little bit better this time around. Can't say the same for the character development (except for Cleo. Cleo is perfect. No, shh, I can't hear you over the sound of her greatness) of the entire cast, but I suppose it's only fair since this series is 6 books long and there's still so much to learn (hashtag watch me defend my fave 2k17).
Anyway...
By now, I consider this series my guilty pleasure. You know, those books a lot of people like to make fun of but that you secretly (not so secretly in my case) adore? Those books you're not particularly proud of enjoying because they're just so self-indulgent they make you wanna cry or punch SOMEONE, but that you enjoy anyway because who cares what the mass think? Well, this is mine.
It's not perfect and it probably never will br, but it made me feel things while I was reading it. I was happy while reading it. Popular or not popular, loved or hated, when it comes to books, I think that's the most important thing.
So, yeah, this is another YES, for me. Can't wait to see how everything blows up in the next one.
Gimme all the feels!
Pardon my French but HOLY FUCK! What was that? Do you seriously call that an ending???
I need to know what happens, I need the third book like air. I NEED IT. NOW!
After careful consideration, I think I liked Rebel Spring better than the FK, however some things just didn't convince me at all, hence 4 stars instead of 5. Fortunately pour vous et pour moi, it's the kind of things one can easily overcome by wearing super useful fanbase goggles and squinting a little over the cheesiness and the eye-rolling plot escapes.
I even read it all in one sitting, can you believe how much it got me whipped? Like, my eyes are dry and burning but it's okay, my brain would like to let you guys know that it was totally worth it.
Rhodes writes nice dialogues, I'll give it to her. My favorite exchanges were between Cleo and Magnus. I love it when she puts him in his place.
To be honest, I haven't being paying much attention to the technical details, but I found the writing a little bit better this time around. Can't say the same for the character development (except for Cleo. Cleo is perfect. No, shh, I can't hear you over the sound of her greatness) of the entire cast, but I suppose it's only fair since this series is 6 books long and there's still so much to learn (hashtag watch me defend my fave 2k17).
Anyway...
By now, I consider this series my guilty pleasure. You know, those books a lot of people like to make fun of but that you secretly (not so secretly in my case) adore? Those books you're not particularly proud of enjoying because they're just so self-indulgent they make you wanna cry or punch SOMEONE, but that you enjoy anyway because who cares what the mass think? Well, this is mine.
It's not perfect and it probably never will br, but it made me feel things while I was reading it. I was happy while reading it. Popular or not popular, loved or hated, when it comes to books, I think that's the most important thing.
So, yeah, this is another YES, for me. Can't wait to see how everything blows up in the next one.
Gimme all the feels!
May 15, 2017
“Sometimes, to regain sanity,
one had to acknowledge and embrace the madness.�
I really enjoyed this after putting down countless books. This one brought me back from my slump! There were some things that frustrated me but it was still highly entertaining.
Let's see...
Lucia did nothing.
Cleo did nothing.
Lysandra did nothing.
Nic did nothing.
Watchers did nothing.
Jonas, i wish he didn't do anything! He needs to sit down and find a new job or something. This one isn't working out for him very well.
Aron, go burn in hell! You deserved worse!
Magus, my pure baby angel, Magnus! I wasn't the biggest fan of him in Falling Kingdoms, but oh mother! His character has improved emphatically! He isn't the nice guy but isn't a douchebag either, nor is he an antihero. It's really hard to explain him. He is very complex! He's got many layers, and I pretty much love them all. I started to really appreciated him towards the end. Can't wait to see where his character goes in Gathering Darkness. :D
...................................................................
"Limerians are as cold as the kingdom they rule. No wonder your heart is forged of ice."
This earned the edge of a very unpleasant grin. "Before, you said i had no heart. This is definite progress."
AHH! I LOVE HIM SO MMMUUCCCHHHHH!
April 12, 2018
3.5 The road to power... is paved with blood and magic. �'s
“I believe we make our own destinies, every last one of us.�
I hate that i'm having to say this, but I didn't like "Rebel Spring" quite as much as as I did Falling Kingdoms... and sadly i'm not as excited as I originally was for this series :( I had such high hopes going into the second book and I was let down. I really hope Gathering Darkness will be able to restore my hopes in this series! One of the things I really didn't like is the "romantic relationships" between some of the characters. It really bugs me because it comes out of nowhere, it's like all of a sudden BAM they love each other!!! And i'm left confused because there was no indication of such feelings or even attraction toward one another. For real though, I didn't see any signs of these said feelings/attractions. So yeahhh, That bothers me a lot! Also every guy we get introduced to seems to always be in love with Princess Cleo or with Princess Lucia. Other than these things, I did still enjoy the plot, the writing style, the character and the world building. I think it skimmed over things to quickly, such as the wedding tour. I think there should have been more to it! I still love Cleo and I really wished she would have been in this one much more. I honestly think shes my favorite character :D I know everyone loves Magnus but as of now, i'm not entirely sure how i'm feeling about the dark prince. He has this unhealthy obsession for his sister and then he has this fake facade put up all the time and all the while, I'm still sitting here waiting for him to grow a pair! There were a few more deaths and one of them, I was happy about! Ugh... I hated that little bastard!! But perhaps because he was so well hated he should have stuck around?? IDK. Okay well anyways, now i'm onto book #3, I so hope it's better.
*I do love this cover though :D*
“She gripped the front of his shirt. It was all too much--she wasn't sure if she was pushing him away or pulling him closer. Much like diving into deep water, she had no idea which way would find her air to breathe or which way would drag her down deeper into the depths where she would surely drown.
And for a moment, just a moment, she found it didn't seem to matter.�
“But even the coldest hate can shift into something warmer if given enough time, just as an ugly caterpillar can turn into a beautiful butterfly.�
“I believe we make our own destinies, every last one of us.�
I hate that i'm having to say this, but I didn't like "Rebel Spring" quite as much as as I did Falling Kingdoms... and sadly i'm not as excited as I originally was for this series :( I had such high hopes going into the second book and I was let down. I really hope Gathering Darkness will be able to restore my hopes in this series! One of the things I really didn't like is the "romantic relationships" between some of the characters. It really bugs me because it comes out of nowhere, it's like all of a sudden BAM they love each other!!! And i'm left confused because there was no indication of such feelings or even attraction toward one another. For real though, I didn't see any signs of these said feelings/attractions. So yeahhh, That bothers me a lot! Also every guy we get introduced to seems to always be in love with Princess Cleo or with Princess Lucia. Other than these things, I did still enjoy the plot, the writing style, the character and the world building. I think it skimmed over things to quickly, such as the wedding tour. I think there should have been more to it! I still love Cleo and I really wished she would have been in this one much more. I honestly think shes my favorite character :D I know everyone loves Magnus but as of now, i'm not entirely sure how i'm feeling about the dark prince. He has this unhealthy obsession for his sister and then he has this fake facade put up all the time and all the while, I'm still sitting here waiting for him to grow a pair! There were a few more deaths and one of them, I was happy about! Ugh... I hated that little bastard!! But perhaps because he was so well hated he should have stuck around?? IDK. Okay well anyways, now i'm onto book #3, I so hope it's better.
*I do love this cover though :D*
“She gripped the front of his shirt. It was all too much--she wasn't sure if she was pushing him away or pulling him closer. Much like diving into deep water, she had no idea which way would find her air to breathe or which way would drag her down deeper into the depths where she would surely drown.
And for a moment, just a moment, she found it didn't seem to matter.�
“But even the coldest hate can shift into something warmer if given enough time, just as an ugly caterpillar can turn into a beautiful butterfly.�
December 1, 2016
I expected way more from this book but I still loved it a lot mostly because i know that this series is going to be great. Before I get into the actual review here’s my reactions and feelings towards characters,
(edit before gathering darkness)
Me falling for Magnus in this book:
Me looking at the situations Cleo is in:
Me with Lucia towards the end:
ILY Jonas, but me whenever I saw his plans:
Whenever Aron, the douchiest most annoying character to ever exist came into scenes:
Gaius, the father of the year award recipient:
Me with the watchers:
This book was both underwhelming and overwhelming at once if that even makes sense. It was such a fun ride with all the ups and downs that the first book had. It has you at the edge of your seat since the very beginning. This book I think is kind of a bridge book, that is just furthering the plot and making way for better storylines in the future. That being said, nothing exactly happens in this book especially when you compare it to Falling Kingdoms. That does not mean that you won’t have a fun time reading this. There is something seriously so addictive about these books that will hook you and won’t let you go till the end.
This plot as said in the synopsis, is focused more on the road that is being built to bridge all of Mytica together. There is a deeper reason behind this that will come into play in the future books and I am really excited to see where it heads. The kingdoms are slowly starting to come together especially since Gaius takes over everything and is now officially ruling over the entire Mytica. The characters are also starting to come together, and I can finally see their storylines intertwine a little and I am so glad that it is happening.
The characters are growing so much and honestly I’m starting to love them and understand their motives and feeling that drive them. This book does show a lot of growth for the characters and I’m happy that I’m finally starting to understand them!
As shown before, I’m definitely a Magnus fan as of now which I was not in the first book. I truly get to see the emotions that he has and what goes on inside him, while he puts up an icy exterior as a mask. Cleo is starting to get way more understand-able and I’m seeing the good qualities in her that I could not spot in the first book, she is going to make a great queen (in the coming books, I hope). Lucia was always an interesting character and we see her go through massive changes in this book that I’m quite surprised about! Honestly, I can’t wait to see what happens to her in the next books. Jonas was my favorite in the first book, but I feel as though his position has been usurped by the one and only Magnus. Jonas kind of takes to the shadows and this was kind of disappointing (his plans were even more disappointing). I hope his character gets explored more in the next few books.
WARNING, spoilery talk from here
This book might have been less interesting from the previous one but it still had its fair share of drama, that I obviously enjoyed. It was so surprising to think that Cleo and Magnus were going to be , I understand why Gaius would have wanted it to happen but it was literally announced in the first chapter I believe.
It was so interesting to see the character dynamics of Cleo and Magnus together. Both are so very different but if you put them together, I’m sure they will make a really really adorable couple. I knew what was coming for them (curtesy to spoilers :/) but still when their I was so surprised, I mean I at least thought it would have been done later lmao. But when it did happen I was just there like,
The minor run in the woods that happened was kind of awkward for me. . I expected it to happen, but I didn’t expect to be so indifferent about it.
Also what on earth is happening to Lucia’s character. What happened to the sweet and caring girl from Book 1??
Despite, there not being anything much, this was still an amazing sequel and I’m sure this series is going to keep on getting better book by book.
(edit before gathering darkness)
Me falling for Magnus in this book:
Me looking at the situations Cleo is in:
Me with Lucia towards the end:
ILY Jonas, but me whenever I saw his plans:
Whenever Aron, the douchiest most annoying character to ever exist came into scenes:
Gaius, the father of the year award recipient:
Me with the watchers:
This book was both underwhelming and overwhelming at once if that even makes sense. It was such a fun ride with all the ups and downs that the first book had. It has you at the edge of your seat since the very beginning. This book I think is kind of a bridge book, that is just furthering the plot and making way for better storylines in the future. That being said, nothing exactly happens in this book especially when you compare it to Falling Kingdoms. That does not mean that you won’t have a fun time reading this. There is something seriously so addictive about these books that will hook you and won’t let you go till the end.
This plot as said in the synopsis, is focused more on the road that is being built to bridge all of Mytica together. There is a deeper reason behind this that will come into play in the future books and I am really excited to see where it heads. The kingdoms are slowly starting to come together especially since Gaius takes over everything and is now officially ruling over the entire Mytica. The characters are also starting to come together, and I can finally see their storylines intertwine a little and I am so glad that it is happening.
The characters are growing so much and honestly I’m starting to love them and understand their motives and feeling that drive them. This book does show a lot of growth for the characters and I’m happy that I’m finally starting to understand them!
As shown before, I’m definitely a Magnus fan as of now which I was not in the first book. I truly get to see the emotions that he has and what goes on inside him, while he puts up an icy exterior as a mask. Cleo is starting to get way more understand-able and I’m seeing the good qualities in her that I could not spot in the first book, she is going to make a great queen (in the coming books, I hope). Lucia was always an interesting character and we see her go through massive changes in this book that I’m quite surprised about! Honestly, I can’t wait to see what happens to her in the next books. Jonas was my favorite in the first book, but I feel as though his position has been usurped by the one and only Magnus. Jonas kind of takes to the shadows and this was kind of disappointing (his plans were even more disappointing). I hope his character gets explored more in the next few books.
WARNING, spoilery talk from here
This book might have been less interesting from the previous one but it still had its fair share of drama, that I obviously enjoyed. It was so surprising to think that Cleo and Magnus were going to be , I understand why Gaius would have wanted it to happen but it was literally announced in the first chapter I believe.
It was so interesting to see the character dynamics of Cleo and Magnus together. Both are so very different but if you put them together, I’m sure they will make a really really adorable couple. I knew what was coming for them (curtesy to spoilers :/) but still when their I was so surprised, I mean I at least thought it would have been done later lmao. But when it did happen I was just there like,
The minor run in the woods that happened was kind of awkward for me. . I expected it to happen, but I didn’t expect to be so indifferent about it.
Also what on earth is happening to Lucia’s character. What happened to the sweet and caring girl from Book 1??
Despite, there not being anything much, this was still an amazing sequel and I’m sure this series is going to keep on getting better book by book.
March 2, 2016
4.5 stars!
“Evil is a choice one makes, not a natural state of being.�
So I don't usually do this, but this review is going to be told mostly in gifs. To be more specific, Mean Girls gifs. AWWWW YEAAAHHHHH!!!!!
Me while reading this series:
After the events of the previous book, three kingdoms have become one under the rule of the tyrant King Gaius. The land has transformed into one where no one is safe and survival is not easy. The king has become crazy with the notion that magic will further his power and he is doing everything he can to work magic into his own plans.
Jonas has become the leader of the rebellion against King Gaius who was once his ally. He got better in this book than the last but he seemed to make some decisions.
This was Jonas throughout the book with his revenge plans:
Lucia spends the majority of her time in a powerful sleep (aka coma) and also struggles with the attentions of Magnus.
I am joining Jasmine and Christine in the I Hate Lucia club of which I declare myself the treasurer.
Seriously this gif describes her perfectly:
Magnus oh that beautiful man.
So tortured and misunderstood by those around him. He keeps an ice cold facade and keeps everyone at an arm's length.
Meanwhile Cleo is dealing with the destruction of her kingdom. She is literally left at the whims of the King and others, a prisoner in her own home.
^^this was the most relevant gif I could find (and no Cleo is not a slut).
Anyways I am totally binging this series and you all need to read it too.
“Sometimes, to regain sanity, one had to acknowledge and embrace the madness.�
“Evil is a choice one makes, not a natural state of being.�
So I don't usually do this, but this review is going to be told mostly in gifs. To be more specific, Mean Girls gifs. AWWWW YEAAAHHHHH!!!!!
Me while reading this series:
After the events of the previous book, three kingdoms have become one under the rule of the tyrant King Gaius. The land has transformed into one where no one is safe and survival is not easy. The king has become crazy with the notion that magic will further his power and he is doing everything he can to work magic into his own plans.
Jonas has become the leader of the rebellion against King Gaius who was once his ally. He got better in this book than the last but he seemed to make some decisions.
This was Jonas throughout the book with his revenge plans:
Lucia spends the majority of her time in a powerful sleep (aka coma) and also struggles with the attentions of Magnus.
I am joining Jasmine and Christine in the I Hate Lucia club of which I declare myself the treasurer.
Seriously this gif describes her perfectly:
Magnus oh that beautiful man.
So tortured and misunderstood by those around him. He keeps an ice cold facade and keeps everyone at an arm's length.
Meanwhile Cleo is dealing with the destruction of her kingdom. She is literally left at the whims of the King and others, a prisoner in her own home.
^^this was the most relevant gif I could find (and no Cleo is not a slut).
Anyways I am totally binging this series and you all need to read it too.
“Sometimes, to regain sanity, one had to acknowledge and embrace the madness.�
January 4, 2021
Re-read, part two, with Alison!
THAT’S HOW YOU END IT?!!! My only saving grace is that I took so long to get to this sequel that all six instalments of this series are already released.
Ok wow. So this was a roller coaster of emotions. Honestly, I saw the ratings for this and was quite worried ... what are you lot smoking? This was amazing! I was on the edge of my seat, SO WORRIED for my babies.
Cleo is an amazingly brave protagonist. I love her so much. I feel so bad for her, considering everything that she’s been through. Magnus, I also love and feel bad for. He’s had such a rough upbringing and just wants to be loved and ... ok I ship him and Cleo SO HARD.
I’m kind of indifferent to Lucia though? I hated her chapters. I literally couldn’t care less about her, so hopefully she’ll become a more endearing character in the future instalments?
Regardless, I’m going to start book three now because that was a heck of an abrupt ending!
P.S. I read this entire book in THREE HOURS! Yes, folks, it’s THAT ADDICTING!
THAT’S HOW YOU END IT?!!! My only saving grace is that I took so long to get to this sequel that all six instalments of this series are already released.
Ok wow. So this was a roller coaster of emotions. Honestly, I saw the ratings for this and was quite worried ... what are you lot smoking? This was amazing! I was on the edge of my seat, SO WORRIED for my babies.
Cleo is an amazingly brave protagonist. I love her so much. I feel so bad for her, considering everything that she’s been through. Magnus, I also love and feel bad for. He’s had such a rough upbringing and just wants to be loved and ... ok I ship him and Cleo SO HARD.
I’m kind of indifferent to Lucia though? I hated her chapters. I literally couldn’t care less about her, so hopefully she’ll become a more endearing character in the future instalments?
Regardless, I’m going to start book three now because that was a heck of an abrupt ending!
P.S. I read this entire book in THREE HOURS! Yes, folks, it’s THAT ADDICTING!
July 4, 2017
From the previous book, I had learned the lesson not to love characters too much. That lesson really helped me. Because there were very unexpected deaths I didn't want to happen.
But along this fact, there were addition of characters too.
Remember my complaint about the characters in the previous book that I didn't like them? This book was essential in that regard. I am beginning to like Jonas and Magnus. For now I like Jonas more than Magnus. But Magnus is improving impressively. I am liking that. Maybe in future I will like him more than Jonas. *Fingers crossed* Cleo is also improving in a likeable manner.
As far as plot is concerned, this book is pretty plain in that regard. Not that it's boring. Not at all! It just remains the same though out the book and few times represents in different manner.
Well, it goes like this: There is a road King Gaius is very impatient to build though out Mytica to link all the three kingdoms. There are just talks about it that it will lead towards Kindred, four crystals which can give god-like powers to the keeper. But rebels are also rising to get back their kingdom. Mostly they are Paelsians. Their leader is Jonas. Rebels will try hard to defeat King Gaius and try find his week points.
Be aware. There are some spoilers ahead.
=> Another main development is an unexpected marriage of Magnus and Cleo. I thought it wouldn't happen because of the earthquake. But King Gaius! He couldn't see the failure of his plan. His wrath was really frightening when he forced Cleo for the marriage.
=> Jonas was foolishly brave. Really! His plans to defeat the king were quite good. But he always underestimated the dangers. That was the very weakness of him I felt. In spite of this, I still liked him.
=> Lysandra was an amazing addition to this series. She was brave. Jonas and Lysandra's characters were almost the same. Both were stubborn. But Lys was not a foolhardy. She was rational. That was the only difference.
=> There was a character from other place than Mytica. Prince Ashur of a vast empire. He was also interested in Kindred.
I thought he would kill Nic because he didn't tell him anything about Kindred. Of course I would think so because it was the pattern of this series. Useless characters had no right to live! But Nic was an exception. I didn't like what Ashur did to him rather than killing him. Why?! Why?! What was the need of doing that?! Why Ashur had to be that way?! T__T I meant no offence. I just didn't feel that necessary.
Overall, I still enjoyed this book. Ending was intriguing enough for me to start the next book without any further delay.
July 3, 2017
But along this fact, there were addition of characters too.
Remember my complaint about the characters in the previous book that I didn't like them? This book was essential in that regard. I am beginning to like Jonas and Magnus. For now I like Jonas more than Magnus. But Magnus is improving impressively. I am liking that. Maybe in future I will like him more than Jonas. *Fingers crossed* Cleo is also improving in a likeable manner.
As far as plot is concerned, this book is pretty plain in that regard. Not that it's boring. Not at all! It just remains the same though out the book and few times represents in different manner.
Well, it goes like this: There is a road King Gaius is very impatient to build though out Mytica to link all the three kingdoms. There are just talks about it that it will lead towards Kindred, four crystals which can give god-like powers to the keeper. But rebels are also rising to get back their kingdom. Mostly they are Paelsians. Their leader is Jonas. Rebels will try hard to defeat King Gaius and try find his week points.
Be aware. There are some spoilers ahead.
=> Another main development is an unexpected marriage of Magnus and Cleo. I thought it wouldn't happen because of the earthquake. But King Gaius! He couldn't see the failure of his plan. His wrath was really frightening when he forced Cleo for the marriage.
=> Jonas was foolishly brave. Really! His plans to defeat the king were quite good. But he always underestimated the dangers. That was the very weakness of him I felt. In spite of this, I still liked him.
=> Lysandra was an amazing addition to this series. She was brave. Jonas and Lysandra's characters were almost the same. Both were stubborn. But Lys was not a foolhardy. She was rational. That was the only difference.
=> There was a character from other place than Mytica. Prince Ashur of a vast empire. He was also interested in Kindred.
I thought he would kill Nic because he didn't tell him anything about Kindred. Of course I would think so because it was the pattern of this series. Useless characters had no right to live! But Nic was an exception. I didn't like what Ashur did to him rather than killing him. Why?! Why?! What was the need of doing that?! Why Ashur had to be that way?! T__T I meant no offence. I just didn't feel that necessary.
Overall, I still enjoyed this book. Ending was intriguing enough for me to start the next book without any further delay.
July 3, 2017
April 13, 2017
This is a reread because I have no chill and I just MISS THIS WORLD SO SO MUCH! Plus I need more Magnus Damora in my life.
I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH. ITS JUST AS GOOD THE SECOND TIME AROUND. PICK UP THESE BOOKS IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY. OKAY? PROMISE ME. THANK YOU
Look, I know I said I was going to write a full review of this. But, I'm a liar. This series is incredible. Even though this is my least favourite of the series, it's still an incredible book. I just love everything about this world and the characters are A+. Sorry for a shit review but I honestly don't care at the moment so DEAL WITH IT.
Pick up the books. Kthnxbai
I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH. ITS JUST AS GOOD THE SECOND TIME AROUND. PICK UP THESE BOOKS IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY. OKAY? PROMISE ME. THANK YOU
Look, I know I said I was going to write a full review of this. But, I'm a liar. This series is incredible. Even though this is my least favourite of the series, it's still an incredible book. I just love everything about this world and the characters are A+. Sorry for a shit review but I honestly don't care at the moment so DEAL WITH IT.
Pick up the books. Kthnxbai
March 4, 2018
Right, strap yourselves in, here comes one of my most eloquent, detailed, intricate, complex reviews ever. Pronto?
*takes a deeeep breath*
I LOVE THE FUCK OUT OF THIS SERIES!!!
*takes a deeeep breath*
I LOVE THE FUCK OUT OF THIS SERIES!!!
December 2, 2016
even better than book 1!!
June 27, 2016
Sometimes, to regain sanity, one had to acknowledge and embrace the madness.
This week is dreadfully busy for me so I find I won’t have much time to review what I read�..which makes me extremely sad for my beautiful boy, Magnus. I just want him to be happy, poor tortured thing. But I WILL say this:
Since I read the first book in February, every time I think of picking up the second, Magnus is all I see. He is all I think about. He is what I missed the most. And now, here in this book, I feel like I truly connected with his surly self-I am a goner. And hey, I hear he gets even better�.I don’t know. I don’t know if my heart can take his pain. Who am I kidding. I would walk through fire for this dude.
He wanted so desperately not to care about this-not to care about anything but finding the Kindred for himself and for Lucia-to be as cold and ruthless as his father found it so easy to be.
If only that were possible.
And just so everyone knows, since I am loving this series so much, I might be coming back and adding stuff here and there since I’m so busy. So…sorry in advance. Whoops.
The boy nodded. "It's best in the end that a princess marry a prince. I suppose."
"Ah. I suppose." Oh, this was deeply unpleasant. Being trapped into meaningless small talk with an idiot had never intrigued him, even on a good day. Which this wasn't.
MAGNUS! AGH!
"...You have a kind heart, Magnus. And there's nothing you can do to change that."
---
EEEPSSSSSS now I really have the Magnus fever....AND I DON'T WANT TO BE CURED AGHHHH!!!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
September 8, 2024
� Magic
� Characters (Magnus and Cleo more specifically)
� Villain
� Pace
� Plot and action
� I'm sensing great potential for hate-to-love here!!
❗️❗️ Kind of cliffhanger / intense ending
4.5 stars
This book is a great sequel, I liked it even more than the first book. It's a roller coaster of emotions, and as in the first book, many things happened! Deaths, betrayals, twists, rebels in action, we can't catch a break!
Cleo is now at the mercy of the King of Blood who killed her family and took her Kingdom, and she decides to fight back with smiles and manipulation. She is cunning and pretends to be compliant while she plots to take back her kingdom, I admire her strength because there are times when I don't know how she managed to just smile instead of slapping someone. Meanwhile, Magnus tries to be what his father wants and expects of him, but the more he tries to be cruel and evil, the more he realizes that it doesn't feel quite right and that he does not wish to end up as cold and ruthless as his father.
Lucia is trying to come to terms with the horrible consequence of her actions and seems to be slowly descending into madness as her Elementia is pushing her closer to the edge. She wants to be good, but she just can't control her magic anymore, and her Elementia wants to be used... And not necessarily in good ways. Lucia is still a character that I struggle to connect with. She's not bad, but I don't really care about her, and I don't find her really interesting, maybe (hopefully) it will change in the next books.
Meanwhile, poor Jonas is still trying - and failing - to lead a rebellion, even though it seems hopeless. I honestly don't know how he manages to still have followers in his group of rebels. I know he's doing the best he can, and his intentions are good, but every decision he makes seems to end up in death and chaos and so far he's accomplished nothing except kill 3/4 of "his" rebels.
He has half-baked ideas and had me rolling my eyes a few times, but I feel that he's not at his full potential yet and that his character will change in the next book (hopefully he will because he is not very impressive right now).
There is so much action, fighting, twists, and deaths in this book! I was scared until the very end because I know now that this author does not hesitate to kill characters that we care about!
Cleo remains a great main character, she is brave and resilient and strong, and she's been through so much, I hope she does get some love soon (I looking at you Magnus...). Magnus is as amazing in this book as he was in the previous one. We can see more of the brutal and rough upbringing he's had and he is so conflicted and multi-layered! I feel bad for him, and even though he says that he doesn't care about anyone and is violent whenever it is expected from him, he seems to care quite a lot about people’s lives. We can see the beginning of a redemption path for him (I think) and I hope that he will somehow end up with Cleo. Their snarky reply and sass when they talk to each other are also delightful to read. I NEED MORE OF THEM.
I’m calling a hate-to-love in the next book or the one after� There seems to be a kinda romance budding between Cleo and Jonas, although I can’t understand for the life of me what she sees in him, I really hope that she will forget him and turn her full attention to Magnus because HE DESERVES IT.
I also can't write a review about this series without mentioning King Gaius. Oh how evil and horrible he is. He doesn't care about anyone or anything besides him and his power, and while I love him as a villain, I can't wait for him to topple from his golden throne and to get what he deserves for all the pain he caused.
I will also be on the lookout for the Watchers, they are a shady bunch. I know that some of them are definitely up to no good (hi Melenia!), but I'm not sure who and what exactly, so that will keep a touch of intrigue and uncertainty in the series for sure.
I definitely recommend this series to any lover of YA and fantasy out there. If you are looking for an adventure full of forbidden friendship and romance, politics, rebellions, cruelty, and betrayal, this series is for you!
0.5 Crimson Dagger ⭐⭐�
1. Falling Kingdoms ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🙂
� Characters (Magnus and Cleo more specifically)
� Villain
� Pace
� Plot and action
� I'm sensing great potential for hate-to-love here!!
❗️❗️ Kind of cliffhanger / intense ending
4.5 stars
“Sometimes the smallest glimmer of inner strength is all that we have to help us press forward through the darkness.�
This book is a great sequel, I liked it even more than the first book. It's a roller coaster of emotions, and as in the first book, many things happened! Deaths, betrayals, twists, rebels in action, we can't catch a break!
But there was nothing else she could be right now except strong.
Cleo is now at the mercy of the King of Blood who killed her family and took her Kingdom, and she decides to fight back with smiles and manipulation. She is cunning and pretends to be compliant while she plots to take back her kingdom, I admire her strength because there are times when I don't know how she managed to just smile instead of slapping someone. Meanwhile, Magnus tries to be what his father wants and expects of him, but the more he tries to be cruel and evil, the more he realizes that it doesn't feel quite right and that he does not wish to end up as cold and ruthless as his father.
Lucia is trying to come to terms with the horrible consequence of her actions and seems to be slowly descending into madness as her Elementia is pushing her closer to the edge. She wants to be good, but she just can't control her magic anymore, and her Elementia wants to be used... And not necessarily in good ways. Lucia is still a character that I struggle to connect with. She's not bad, but I don't really care about her, and I don't find her really interesting, maybe (hopefully) it will change in the next books.
Meanwhile, poor Jonas is still trying - and failing - to lead a rebellion, even though it seems hopeless. I honestly don't know how he manages to still have followers in his group of rebels. I know he's doing the best he can, and his intentions are good, but every decision he makes seems to end up in death and chaos and so far he's accomplished nothing except kill 3/4 of "his" rebels.
He has half-baked ideas and had me rolling my eyes a few times, but I feel that he's not at his full potential yet and that his character will change in the next book (hopefully he will because he is not very impressive right now).
There is so much action, fighting, twists, and deaths in this book! I was scared until the very end because I know now that this author does not hesitate to kill characters that we care about!
“Evil is a choice one makes, not a natural state of being.�
Cleo remains a great main character, she is brave and resilient and strong, and she's been through so much, I hope she does get some love soon (I looking at you Magnus...). Magnus is as amazing in this book as he was in the previous one. We can see more of the brutal and rough upbringing he's had and he is so conflicted and multi-layered! I feel bad for him, and even though he says that he doesn't care about anyone and is violent whenever it is expected from him, he seems to care quite a lot about people’s lives. We can see the beginning of a redemption path for him (I think) and I hope that he will somehow end up with Cleo. Their snarky reply and sass when they talk to each other are also delightful to read. I NEED MORE OF THEM.
I’m calling a hate-to-love in the next book or the one after� There seems to be a kinda romance budding between Cleo and Jonas, although I can’t understand for the life of me what she sees in him, I really hope that she will forget him and turn her full attention to Magnus because HE DESERVES IT.
“A KISS! A KISS!" the crowd chanted.
(...)
"I dont know," Cleo began, sickened by the thought of it. How far was she willing to go to appear agreeable? "Quite honestly, it seems like a bad--"
Magnus took a tight hold of her arm and turned her around. Before she could say another word, he put his hand behind her neck, drew her closer to him, and kissed her.
Every muscle in her body stiffened. It was the sensation of being a bird caught in a hinter's trap. Her wings screamed out for her to fly away as fast and as far as possible. But he held her firmly in place, his mouth against hers, soft but demanding a response.
She gripped the front of his shirt. It was all too much--she wasn't sure if she was pushing him away or pulling him closer. Much like diving into deep water, she had no idea which way would find her air to breathe or which way would drag her down deeper into the depths where she would surely drown.
And for a moment, just a moment, she found it didn't seem to matter.
The warmth of his body against hers on such a cold day, his now-familiar scent of sandalwood, the heat of his mouth against hers...it all made her head spin, and logic fell away.�
When he pulled back, her lips felt as if they’d been set ablaze, a fire that continued to burn as bright as the flame now spreading across her cheeks.
"Magnus leaned closer so he could whisper in her ear, his breath hot against her already flushed skin.
"Don't worry, princess. It was the first and the last."
"Good."
I also can't write a review about this series without mentioning King Gaius. Oh how evil and horrible he is. He doesn't care about anyone or anything besides him and his power, and while I love him as a villain, I can't wait for him to topple from his golden throne and to get what he deserves for all the pain he caused.
I will also be on the lookout for the Watchers, they are a shady bunch. I know that some of them are definitely up to no good (hi Melenia!), but I'm not sure who and what exactly, so that will keep a touch of intrigue and uncertainty in the series for sure.
I definitely recommend this series to any lover of YA and fantasy out there. If you are looking for an adventure full of forbidden friendship and romance, politics, rebellions, cruelty, and betrayal, this series is for you!
“What? Who are you marrying?�
His jaw tightened.“Princess Cleiona Bellos.�
Lucia could not believe her ears. “This has been arranged.�
Magnus gave her a look. “Oh, not at all. Since helping to take her father's kingdom and destroy her life, I couldn’t help but fall madly in love with her. Yes, obviously it was arranged.�
0.5 Crimson Dagger ⭐⭐�
1. Falling Kingdoms ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🙂
August 24, 2015
Ughhhhhh
EDIT - I feel like a lot of people are confused and want my thoughts as to why I rated this so poorly, so here it goes! I feel like the writing is very simple and nothing special, there has been instalove in both books I've read so far, I was honestly bored and felt like not a lot happened except for unnecessary character deaths which served no purpose except for being used for shock value, it wasn't memorable at all - I just finished it the other day and I can't even remember what happened, I don't feel anything towards any of the characters, it's just meh all around tbh :(
EDIT - I feel like a lot of people are confused and want my thoughts as to why I rated this so poorly, so here it goes! I feel like the writing is very simple and nothing special, there has been instalove in both books I've read so far, I was honestly bored and felt like not a lot happened except for unnecessary character deaths which served no purpose except for being used for shock value, it wasn't memorable at all - I just finished it the other day and I can't even remember what happened, I don't feel anything towards any of the characters, it's just meh all around tbh :(
June 22, 2017
2 stars
The one redeeming quality of this book is the Super Sexy Scottish accent the narrator gives Magnus.
Otherwise, I am sad to say I actually paid for this.
There are so many things wrong with this book....everything from the themes (exploitation of sexual assault and harrassment) to the meat and bones of the book (terribly written dialogue, horrible character arcs). Is it possible that this book is even worse than the first one? Yes, yes it is.
I don't think I've ever read such terrible dialogue in a published, POPULAR book. The over-the-top drama was infused with almost every scene, and it was exhausting. I swear a daytime soap opera has a better script than this. The actions of the characters make no sense whatsoever either. This whole book is a never-ending cycle of Person A hating Person B's guts and wanting to murder the shit out of him/her. But, because FEELINGS, Person A ends up falling in looooove with Person B. It's absolutely ridiculous.
Okay let's meet our characters! And to help you get a good sense of their personalities, I'm attaching a gif that describes them to a T.
PS: some of my gifs are from General Hospital, which is probably more medically accurate than these books. I'm not bitter..... -_-
First up, we have our piney fresh smelling "if I only had a brain" Jonas:
Next in line, our wishy washy whiney princess Cleo (who everyone is in love with):
He's-all-that homeboy Aron:
Broody, sexy, morally ambiguous Magnus:
Jekyll and Hyde Lucia:
Her bitch Alexius:
The loyal puppy dog Brion:
Katniss's sister from another mister Lysandra:
Psycho serial killer King Gaius:
And that's just the main cast geesh. Rhodes needs to trim off the number of characters. This is getting ridiculous.
Okay overall, the ONLY reason I gave this book 2 stars is because the narrator is awesome. I read the first 2/3 and listened to the last 1/3 when I was taking a road trip. I hated Magnus and his actions/thoughts/feelings, but the narrator totally changed my mind on that. Giving him an accent and inflection definitely made me see Magnus in a whole new light. Sadly, this only worked for Magnus. My opinion stayed the same for the rest of the characters.
Yes I will be reading the third book, because our fantasy league is the bomb.com and I have so much fun discussing and roasting the books with them =)
--------
Moving along with the Fantasy League!
The one redeeming quality of this book is the Super Sexy Scottish accent the narrator gives Magnus.
Otherwise, I am sad to say I actually paid for this.
There are so many things wrong with this book....everything from the themes (exploitation of sexual assault and harrassment) to the meat and bones of the book (terribly written dialogue, horrible character arcs). Is it possible that this book is even worse than the first one? Yes, yes it is.
I don't think I've ever read such terrible dialogue in a published, POPULAR book. The over-the-top drama was infused with almost every scene, and it was exhausting. I swear a daytime soap opera has a better script than this. The actions of the characters make no sense whatsoever either. This whole book is a never-ending cycle of Person A hating Person B's guts and wanting to murder the shit out of him/her. But, because FEELINGS, Person A ends up falling in looooove with Person B. It's absolutely ridiculous.
Okay let's meet our characters! And to help you get a good sense of their personalities, I'm attaching a gif that describes them to a T.
PS: some of my gifs are from General Hospital, which is probably more medically accurate than these books. I'm not bitter..... -_-
First up, we have our piney fresh smelling "if I only had a brain" Jonas:
Next in line, our wishy washy whiney princess Cleo (who everyone is in love with):
He's-all-that homeboy Aron:
Broody, sexy, morally ambiguous Magnus:
Jekyll and Hyde Lucia:
Her bitch Alexius:
The loyal puppy dog Brion:
Katniss's sister from another mister Lysandra:
Psycho serial killer King Gaius:
And that's just the main cast geesh. Rhodes needs to trim off the number of characters. This is getting ridiculous.
Okay overall, the ONLY reason I gave this book 2 stars is because the narrator is awesome. I read the first 2/3 and listened to the last 1/3 when I was taking a road trip. I hated Magnus and his actions/thoughts/feelings, but the narrator totally changed my mind on that. Giving him an accent and inflection definitely made me see Magnus in a whole new light. Sadly, this only worked for Magnus. My opinion stayed the same for the rest of the characters.
Yes I will be reading the third book, because our fantasy league is the bomb.com and I have so much fun discussing and roasting the books with them =)
--------
Moving along with the Fantasy League!
March 9, 2017
*yells for the next 10 years* THAT WAS JUST INCREDIBLE.
I lowkey stared at my laptop screen for a long while before I actually started typing out my review. I was too shook to write a review for book one and I'm also shook about this one, but I feel the need to write one. Excuse me, it will basically consist of me yelling. Also, fair warning: it'll suck. Enjoy.
First: READ THE BOOKS IF YOU HAVEN'T YET, OKAY. I RECOMMEND THEM STRONGLY.
Second: *stares for another 4782 hours at the laptop screen because I don't know how to start this?!?!*
LOOK. I BINGED THE HELL OUT OF THIS TODAY. IT WAS THAT GOOD. I dedicated my day for it. I love the plot. I love the world. I love the characters (except King Gaius and Aron, they can go to hell). I love it ALL ALL ALL.
My favorite character: Magnus Lukas Damora, ladies and gentleman. MY PRECIOUS LOST BABY. HE'S DEVELOPED SINCE BOOK ONE AND I LOVE IT. He's so confused and doesn't know what kind of person to be and baby, he's just so conflicted. I just want to protect him. #ProtectMagnusDamora
ALSO. Cleo. Poor thing, she's suffered so much and I can't wait to see how she'll rise above everyone because she's badass and she can kick ass. Just you wait!
Lucia is insane. I love her though. She's also confused and lost and scared. Poor baby. We didn't get too much Lucia chapters but I can't wait to see what Morgan Rhodes has in store for her character!
Jonas, my messed up baby. Literally all his plans have a 0% success chance. He's impulsive and stubborn but I love him, okay. I get why he's like that, but Jonas, honey, chill.
ALL IN ALL: I LOVE ALL THE MAINS.
The plot is well... INCREDIBLE. I will not go into details because I just can't???? (Psssst, read the books). Also, Morgan Rhodes and her random, spontaneous deaths. They kill me. MORGAN, PLEASE. What's also funny is basically everyone's in love with everyone one way or another, but do I care? NOPE. I AM LIVING FOR IT, TOO. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK (except the pieces of shits King Gaius and Aron, again).
THIS IS MY REVIEW, OK. IT SUCKS BUT I CAN'T DO IT. I'M TOO SKEAHJSDFJ. THIS IS ALL I CAN DO BECAUSE THIS BOOK IS TOO GOOD AND I CAN'T WRITE A COHERENT PROPER REVIEW. BYE. ALSO, READ THE BOOKS, DON'T FORGET.
I lowkey stared at my laptop screen for a long while before I actually started typing out my review. I was too shook to write a review for book one and I'm also shook about this one, but I feel the need to write one. Excuse me, it will basically consist of me yelling. Also, fair warning: it'll suck. Enjoy.
First: READ THE BOOKS IF YOU HAVEN'T YET, OKAY. I RECOMMEND THEM STRONGLY.
Second: *stares for another 4782 hours at the laptop screen because I don't know how to start this?!?!*
LOOK. I BINGED THE HELL OUT OF THIS TODAY. IT WAS THAT GOOD. I dedicated my day for it. I love the plot. I love the world. I love the characters (except King Gaius and Aron, they can go to hell). I love it ALL ALL ALL.
My favorite character: Magnus Lukas Damora, ladies and gentleman. MY PRECIOUS LOST BABY. HE'S DEVELOPED SINCE BOOK ONE AND I LOVE IT. He's so confused and doesn't know what kind of person to be and baby, he's just so conflicted. I just want to protect him. #ProtectMagnusDamora
ALSO. Cleo. Poor thing, she's suffered so much and I can't wait to see how she'll rise above everyone because she's badass and she can kick ass. Just you wait!
Lucia is insane. I love her though. She's also confused and lost and scared. Poor baby. We didn't get too much Lucia chapters but I can't wait to see what Morgan Rhodes has in store for her character!
Jonas, my messed up baby. Literally all his plans have a 0% success chance. He's impulsive and stubborn but I love him, okay. I get why he's like that, but Jonas, honey, chill.
ALL IN ALL: I LOVE ALL THE MAINS.
The plot is well... INCREDIBLE. I will not go into details because I just can't???? (Psssst, read the books). Also, Morgan Rhodes and her random, spontaneous deaths. They kill me. MORGAN, PLEASE. What's also funny is basically everyone's in love with everyone one way or another, but do I care? NOPE. I AM LIVING FOR IT, TOO. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK (except the pieces of shits King Gaius and Aron, again).
THIS IS MY REVIEW, OK. IT SUCKS BUT I CAN'T DO IT. I'M TOO SKEAHJSDFJ. THIS IS ALL I CAN DO BECAUSE THIS BOOK IS TOO GOOD AND I CAN'T WRITE A COHERENT PROPER REVIEW. BYE. ALSO, READ THE BOOKS, DON'T FORGET.
August 28, 2016
2.5/5 stars
I have a feeling this series just isn't for me. It has a lot of potential and elements that could be amazing but just don't follow through.
The audiobook narrator is fantastic and part of the reason I stuck with this, but the story just hasn't been compelling enough to grip me and keep me wanting more. (It probably didn't help that I read a torch against the night while listening to this audiobook because torch was AMAZING)
For the most part I really enjoy the characters and the fact that they are very flawed, but I just don't feel an attachment to them. I'm interested, but not enough to NEED to know what happens to them.
The story is about the same for me. I'm interested, but not enough to keep going with the series at this point in time. It's just not interesting enough to hold my attention.
I totally understand why people love this series, but I just don't.
I have a feeling this series just isn't for me. It has a lot of potential and elements that could be amazing but just don't follow through.
The audiobook narrator is fantastic and part of the reason I stuck with this, but the story just hasn't been compelling enough to grip me and keep me wanting more. (It probably didn't help that I read a torch against the night while listening to this audiobook because torch was AMAZING)
For the most part I really enjoy the characters and the fact that they are very flawed, but I just don't feel an attachment to them. I'm interested, but not enough to NEED to know what happens to them.
The story is about the same for me. I'm interested, but not enough to keep going with the series at this point in time. It's just not interesting enough to hold my attention.
I totally understand why people love this series, but I just don't.
January 2, 2014
Spoilers
-I enjoyed Rebel Spring more than the first book, which I absolutely hated, I only read this for completion's sake. This was still mostly a rubbish book but it did at least have some entertaining moments.
-What's what: Evul King Gaius conquered Auranos/Paelasia. He now wants to gain ultimate power and immortality and do other cliched evul things. Naturally, a bunch of sexy teenagers have to stop him.
-There were too many cliched romances. Every character seemed to fall in love with anyone they spent five minutes with. None of the romances seemed believable.
I still don't get why a two thousand year old man would be lusting after a sixteen year old child-like teenage girl. It was perverted.
-Magnus and Cleo were the only characters I was remotely invested in.
-Lucia was a whiny-self-obsessed-pathetic-judgmental Mary Sue, I thought she was bad in the first book but she was even worse in this one. I hope she dies by the end of the series.
-Cleo was the best character. I thought her being forced to marry Magnus would be boring but it was actually rather interesting. Their history (Magnus being a dick and killing her first love) just made their interactions all the more fun. It was quite sweet how they slowly developed feelings for each other, even though they didn't realise what was happening. I kind of hope they end up together.
-Jonas was a judgmental prick. I hated him in the first book and I hate him even more now. Characters that constantly moan about the rich or people that live comfortably piss me off. Jonas acted like he had the right to judge everyone else just because he was poor. Ugh, he was a wanker.
-Magnus was a self-pitying emo bitch but his relationship with Cleo gave him some much needed dimensions. His feelings for his sister (Lucia) were still creepy, but I'm sure he's confusing romantic love with loving a sibling who has always been there for him.
-Lysandra was annoying, she was basically a female Jonas. Someone who was constantly on their high horse acting like judge, jury, and executioner. Her horrid attitude towards Cleo was irritating, she thought because she was poor she had a monopoly on pain and that rich Cleo couldn't possibly understand or experience any kind of hardships - Cleo lost her whole family and was forced to live with her father's murderers, she went through hell but did Lysandra show any compassion or kindness? No, she acted like a cow to Cleo even though she didn't deserve it. Ugh.
Lysandra's romance with Jonas was cringey and came out of nowhere. I guess they both suited each other though since they were both douches.
-King Gaius was so one dimensional and flat, he had no depth whatsoever. His ultimate plan was to gain immortality and power no matter how many lives he had to take, he didn't have one redeeming quality about him, someone that fucked up should have motivations behind their actions. But there was no reason behind his desires and needs, why was he so hellbent on getting power? Why was he so cool with death and destruction? He didn't even love his own children. Where was his layers? Ugh, I hate bad guys who have no depth at all.
-There were too many POV's and too many love triangles.
-All in all, most of this was rubbish but there were some moments (Cleo and Magnus's relationship mainly) that were enjoyable.
-I enjoyed Rebel Spring more than the first book, which I absolutely hated, I only read this for completion's sake. This was still mostly a rubbish book but it did at least have some entertaining moments.
-What's what: Evul King Gaius conquered Auranos/Paelasia. He now wants to gain ultimate power and immortality and do other cliched evul things. Naturally, a bunch of sexy teenagers have to stop him.
-There were too many cliched romances. Every character seemed to fall in love with anyone they spent five minutes with. None of the romances seemed believable.
I still don't get why a two thousand year old man would be lusting after a sixteen year old child-like teenage girl. It was perverted.
-Magnus and Cleo were the only characters I was remotely invested in.
-Lucia was a whiny-self-obsessed-pathetic-judgmental Mary Sue, I thought she was bad in the first book but she was even worse in this one. I hope she dies by the end of the series.
-Cleo was the best character. I thought her being forced to marry Magnus would be boring but it was actually rather interesting. Their history (Magnus being a dick and killing her first love) just made their interactions all the more fun. It was quite sweet how they slowly developed feelings for each other, even though they didn't realise what was happening. I kind of hope they end up together.
-Jonas was a judgmental prick. I hated him in the first book and I hate him even more now. Characters that constantly moan about the rich or people that live comfortably piss me off. Jonas acted like he had the right to judge everyone else just because he was poor. Ugh, he was a wanker.
-Magnus was a self-pitying emo bitch but his relationship with Cleo gave him some much needed dimensions. His feelings for his sister (Lucia) were still creepy, but I'm sure he's confusing romantic love with loving a sibling who has always been there for him.
-Lysandra was annoying, she was basically a female Jonas. Someone who was constantly on their high horse acting like judge, jury, and executioner. Her horrid attitude towards Cleo was irritating, she thought because she was poor she had a monopoly on pain and that rich Cleo couldn't possibly understand or experience any kind of hardships - Cleo lost her whole family and was forced to live with her father's murderers, she went through hell but did Lysandra show any compassion or kindness? No, she acted like a cow to Cleo even though she didn't deserve it. Ugh.
Lysandra's romance with Jonas was cringey and came out of nowhere. I guess they both suited each other though since they were both douches.
-King Gaius was so one dimensional and flat, he had no depth whatsoever. His ultimate plan was to gain immortality and power no matter how many lives he had to take, he didn't have one redeeming quality about him, someone that fucked up should have motivations behind their actions. But there was no reason behind his desires and needs, why was he so hellbent on getting power? Why was he so cool with death and destruction? He didn't even love his own children. Where was his layers? Ugh, I hate bad guys who have no depth at all.
-There were too many POV's and too many love triangles.
-All in all, most of this was rubbish but there were some moments (Cleo and Magnus's relationship mainly) that were enjoyable.
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