I started this series thinking, for some reason, it was going to be boring and just not my cup of tea. Alas, I ended up adoring the first book and mostly enjoying the second (and hoping for a third and fourth and so on). Ree is such a compelling character and I really love her and this world.
This was an unbelievably hopeful story. I wasn’t totally sure what was happening all of the time, but neither did the narrator, which made for an enthralling experience. It was a super brief story and the stakes never felt super high, but despite all that I still managed to find myself caring deeply and truly empathizing with our narrator. Aadet was a lovely companion and the brief discussions on war throughout the story felt very poignant. The beginning was captivating, the ending heart-warming, and everything in between was just genuinely lovely to read.
Favorite Quote: The only ones hurt by hope are those who believe in it.
By itself, this was an exciting and enjoyable read, but compared to its predecessor, I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed. Ree’s journey of self discovery felt less urgent here. I still love the world and felt it come alive from page to page, but I just wasn’t as invested. I am holding out hope, though, that there will be another installment after the ending we got.
Favorite Quote: Dead was dead.
These are both tremendously short novellas that quite literally maybe took an hour to read each. Despite the short length, they were both incredibly captivating and honestly just a treat to read. I’m desperately hoping another will be announced ASAP, but for now, I’m content with having read these two.
Books in Series: Cold-Forged Flame; Lightning in the Blood
