Vow of the Shadow King

Vor und Feraine haben nur wenige Momente im gesamten Buch zusammen und Vor hat ihren Verrat noch immer nicht vergeben. Doch auch wenn sich ihre Beziehung nicht zusammen entwickelt, ist viel in ihren Köpfen los und sie kommen sich dadurch näher. Es passiert so viel in diesem Buch. Man lernt Charaktere besser kennen, die Welt der Trolde, deren Bräuche, Sprache und Politik sowie die Probleme mit den Erdbeben und Höhlendämonen. Eine Sache nervt mich ein bisschen. Dass es so lange dauert bis sie über Feraines Gabe sprechen und auch dann wird das Thema schnell wieder abgehakt, anstatt dem auf den Grund zu gehen. Für mich sind da so viele Fragen offen, die dringend beantwortet werden sollten, statt so lasch beiseite gewischt zu werden. Ich hab das Buch innerhalb von 2 Tagen inhaliert und kann kaum erwarten wenn morgen dann Band 3 ankommt.

„I haven’t fooled her, though. Not in the least. Gods, on high! Does she realize what she does to me simply by existing?“

I really wanted to like this book, but after the first half I got more and more annoyed and less interested. Vor is such a bad king - all his advisors are described as selfish (who chose them?), he is impulsive, throws himself into any danger he can find (no thought about who leads them all when he is dead), abandons all reason when Faraine is in danger. He literally thinks something like "I forget about my city being attacked and all those people dying right now, I just think of finding Faraine." Some might find that romantic, but I was just annoyed. Apparently he fought hard for this alliance with the humans and it might be the only thing that can save his kingdom, but when Faraine is concerned, he forgets it all. I could excuse it if it was just the raog poison, but he behaves similarily after being healed / cleansed. Also, I get that they come from vastly different cultures, but why dont they try to talk and communicate from time to time? This is just very exhausting. Faraine doesn't do much most of the book, except for choosing the most plain outfit that still makes Vor gasps and forget his royal duties. Sadly, this second part lost what made part 1 a bit unique. We don't get much of the Under world. Just a young, weak-but-oh-so-strong princess that kinda saves everyone and gets "finally being his wife" as her reward. Urgh!