I continue my quest for improving my ratio on NetGalley and on having the reviews for ARCs I've received on a timely manner! This one I didn't manage to have up before relase day this Tuesday, but it's up on release week at least! I wanna give a great thank you again to Harlequin Teen for being so kind to me and approving my request once again!
This one is also part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge!
Witchfall by Victoria Lamb
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was approved on NetGalley for Witchstruck, the first book of this trilogy and I really enjoyed, so when I saw that book too was also available for review since it was coming out soon, I had to know what was coming next for Meg, Alejandro and Lady Elizabeth!
Thank you so much to Harlequin Tee for once again approving my request!
As always, since this is the review of a sequel you can expect spoilers for book 1 as those are very hard to avoid but know that I will do my best to avoid spoilers for Witchfall!
Meg finally can breathe without the shadow of witchhunter behind her, but she exchanged that for the long hand of the Inquisition. She has moved to court since Lady Elizabeth was recalled by her sister, Queen Mary. It would seem a good thing, but Lady Elizabeth and Meg are under even a more strict vigilance there, and the Inquisition is there at every step.
The thing I really really love about these books is how fantastically they mix the period time events and politics, with the customs and the atmosphere with the world of magick. While you are reading, it all comes together to seamlessly that you simply think that is how it had to be, with magick in between all the political intrigues!
Being so truthful to the period it also means there are loads of mysoginistic attitudes that always grate on my nerves, nothing against the book but something to be warned about. Also, the Inquisition is scaring as hell (pun not intended, but approppriate) and there's some torture in the book that even if not graphic, it was both deeply uncomfortable and enraging to read.
This is a very solid sequel, without middle book syndrome, with a plot that takes a few unexpected turns, with some very dangerous foes, some new, some old. More magick, more political intrigue, more secrets revealed and more to uncover.
Meg grows as a character, even if sometimes she can be a bit irritating, she has a backbone and she won't stop from doing what's right. Alejandro continue to be slightly heatheaded when it comes to Meg sometimes, but he always manages to be there for her and to help as he can. There's no love triangle despite someone else being interested, it was never an issue of having doubts, though some jealousy was experiencen here and there.
Lady Elizabeth is still not the strong woman the world will meet as Elizabeth I, but she is still trying to navigate the waters of Court and avoid the dangers of the Inquisition. Her change of heart and the end of the book was not unexpected, but it was disappointing.
The climax was a bit quick and over a bit too soon, too easy and at the same time it seems that we go through a loop of "it's over, but no it really isn't" sort of a feel.
A book with exquisite world building, even if I don't seem to connect with them emotionally as I'd wish. Well deserved 3.5 stars.
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This one is also part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge!
Witchfall by Victoria LambMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was approved on NetGalley for Witchstruck, the first book of this trilogy and I really enjoyed, so when I saw that book too was also available for review since it was coming out soon, I had to know what was coming next for Meg, Alejandro and Lady Elizabeth!
Thank you so much to Harlequin Tee for once again approving my request!
As always, since this is the review of a sequel you can expect spoilers for book 1 as those are very hard to avoid but know that I will do my best to avoid spoilers for Witchfall!
Meg finally can breathe without the shadow of witchhunter behind her, but she exchanged that for the long hand of the Inquisition. She has moved to court since Lady Elizabeth was recalled by her sister, Queen Mary. It would seem a good thing, but Lady Elizabeth and Meg are under even a more strict vigilance there, and the Inquisition is there at every step.
The thing I really really love about these books is how fantastically they mix the period time events and politics, with the customs and the atmosphere with the world of magick. While you are reading, it all comes together to seamlessly that you simply think that is how it had to be, with magick in between all the political intrigues!
Being so truthful to the period it also means there are loads of mysoginistic attitudes that always grate on my nerves, nothing against the book but something to be warned about. Also, the Inquisition is scaring as hell (pun not intended, but approppriate) and there's some torture in the book that even if not graphic, it was both deeply uncomfortable and enraging to read.
This is a very solid sequel, without middle book syndrome, with a plot that takes a few unexpected turns, with some very dangerous foes, some new, some old. More magick, more political intrigue, more secrets revealed and more to uncover.
Meg grows as a character, even if sometimes she can be a bit irritating, she has a backbone and she won't stop from doing what's right. Alejandro continue to be slightly heatheaded when it comes to Meg sometimes, but he always manages to be there for her and to help as he can. There's no love triangle despite someone else being interested, it was never an issue of having doubts, though some jealousy was experiencen here and there.
Lady Elizabeth is still not the strong woman the world will meet as Elizabeth I, but she is still trying to navigate the waters of Court and avoid the dangers of the Inquisition. Her change of heart and the end of the book was not unexpected, but it was disappointing.
The climax was a bit quick and over a bit too soon, too easy and at the same time it seems that we go through a loop of "it's over, but no it really isn't" sort of a feel.
A book with exquisite world building, even if I don't seem to connect with them emotionally as I'd wish. Well deserved 3.5 stars.
View all my reviews
I hadn't heard of these -- they're based on the Tudor period? With witches? I'm in!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
Yep, I loved the Tudor period setting a lot!
DeleteWell yay for no middle book syndrome Pili! That's exciting. I haven't read the first book in this series, but I really want to give it a try. I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear there's no love triangle, that's certainly a rare occasion it seems in YA lately so I do a happy dance whenever I come across one. While you had a few issues here and there, it sounds like a solid read for the most part, and I hope the next book blows you away!
ReplyDeleteYep, it's a solid book alright and the lack of love triangle was a relief!!
DeleteThank you for visiting, Jenny!
This sounds really good, but I'm trying not to request more NetGalley's ARC. I think I need to read all those sequels I need.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I hope I can read it someday, you made it sound really good! :)
Lis @ The reader lines
Thank you, Lis! I'm only requesting books on Netgalley from series I'm reading already or books in my super eagerly awaited list!
DeleteI've been wanting to give this series a try especially with how much I like witch books! I love how well well the whole time period is written and midle book syndrome sucks so I'm glad this one avoided that! I also find character growth is super important in a series. This sounds like a pretty great sequel overall!
ReplyDeleteThe period setting is written ready well! I didn't connect too well with the characters, but the world building is fantastic!
DeleteLack of emotional connection is such a bummer. I'm glad you enjoyed it overall, though, Pili, even if it does suffer from book 2 syndrome.
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
It was quite annoying... I loved the world building but somehow I just didn't connect with the characters as much!
Delete