Daughter of Winter and Twilight: In Every Myth There Is a Seed of Truth (Queen of Coin and Whispers)
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Beschreibung
Beiträge
After I liked the first book of the author, I was eager to read more. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the sequel in advance! Daughter of Winter and Twilight is about Emri, adopted daughter of Queen Aurelia and Xania from the first book. Because Emri’s birth father was a traitor, she faces a lot of scrutiny at court and struggles to find her footing. Even more, she is still suffering from the effects of her abusive childhood before she was adopted and, on top of that, a recent heartbreak. If that wasn’t enough, rumors appear about the resurrection of the gods. However, Emri’s nation has long since abandoned worship of the gods and their patron goddess, Lady Winter, is not known for her mercy. Even though it has been a few months since I read what happened in the first book, it was easy to find my way into the story. I can see how it is meant to stand alone, which certainly helped. The beginning focuses a lot on Emri’s life in the palace and I appreciate these insights a lot. She is a sympathetic character and made me curious about unveiling her past and the way her character is going to develop. Unfortunately, the book takes its time with that. It’s not until the second third that the promised magic starts to be relevant. As much as I liked the beginning, it felt like it took forever to get anywhere. Both plot threads - Emri’s introduction to court and the challenge of her god - feel disjointed. Reason for that is that it includes a very sudden switch in setting and all the previous characters are replaced (with one exception) with new ones. There isn't much to connect those two parts of the book. In addition to that, I felt like the overall goal of the plot wasn’t very clear. It makes sense in hindsight and ties in to the themes, but it still felt like there was only little initial motivation for the characters (including the gods). Emri and her companions react more than they act, which does fit very well into the overarching questions of the book - how independent are your choices when you are being manipulated by gods? Still, it takes a while to figure out those motives which doesn't make the pacing feel any faster. Aside from those negative aspects, I still liked the book a lot! Emri’s personal growth and her relationships to the other characters feel authentic. The way she adapts to the new environment and how she is forced to face her fears kept pulling me in. I loved seeing their little group grow together and was sorry to say goodbye to them at the end of the book. Compared to the first book, this one leans more into the worldbuilding. The other nations become relevant, not only in their politics but also in their myths an stance on religion. I liked those glimpes in their cultures, mostly because they influences the main plot as well. The focus is less on one country and its queen, but rather a group of heirs from different countries and how they each deal with the differing expectations that rest upon them. In the end, I recommend this sequel for anyone who liked the first book or who wants to dip their toes into this world but is too intimidated by the politics of the first one! Pacing problems aside, I was able to enjoy Daughter of Winter and Twilight a lot.
Beschreibung
Beiträge
After I liked the first book of the author, I was eager to read more. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the sequel in advance! Daughter of Winter and Twilight is about Emri, adopted daughter of Queen Aurelia and Xania from the first book. Because Emri’s birth father was a traitor, she faces a lot of scrutiny at court and struggles to find her footing. Even more, she is still suffering from the effects of her abusive childhood before she was adopted and, on top of that, a recent heartbreak. If that wasn’t enough, rumors appear about the resurrection of the gods. However, Emri’s nation has long since abandoned worship of the gods and their patron goddess, Lady Winter, is not known for her mercy. Even though it has been a few months since I read what happened in the first book, it was easy to find my way into the story. I can see how it is meant to stand alone, which certainly helped. The beginning focuses a lot on Emri’s life in the palace and I appreciate these insights a lot. She is a sympathetic character and made me curious about unveiling her past and the way her character is going to develop. Unfortunately, the book takes its time with that. It’s not until the second third that the promised magic starts to be relevant. As much as I liked the beginning, it felt like it took forever to get anywhere. Both plot threads - Emri’s introduction to court and the challenge of her god - feel disjointed. Reason for that is that it includes a very sudden switch in setting and all the previous characters are replaced (with one exception) with new ones. There isn't much to connect those two parts of the book. In addition to that, I felt like the overall goal of the plot wasn’t very clear. It makes sense in hindsight and ties in to the themes, but it still felt like there was only little initial motivation for the characters (including the gods). Emri and her companions react more than they act, which does fit very well into the overarching questions of the book - how independent are your choices when you are being manipulated by gods? Still, it takes a while to figure out those motives which doesn't make the pacing feel any faster. Aside from those negative aspects, I still liked the book a lot! Emri’s personal growth and her relationships to the other characters feel authentic. The way she adapts to the new environment and how she is forced to face her fears kept pulling me in. I loved seeing their little group grow together and was sorry to say goodbye to them at the end of the book. Compared to the first book, this one leans more into the worldbuilding. The other nations become relevant, not only in their politics but also in their myths an stance on religion. I liked those glimpes in their cultures, mostly because they influences the main plot as well. The focus is less on one country and its queen, but rather a group of heirs from different countries and how they each deal with the differing expectations that rest upon them. In the end, I recommend this sequel for anyone who liked the first book or who wants to dip their toes into this world but is too intimidated by the politics of the first one! Pacing problems aside, I was able to enjoy Daughter of Winter and Twilight a lot.