I was given this ARC from Voracious Readers for an honest review.
This review has spoilers for the story. If you do not want to know what happens, please stop reading.
The beginning of this story started out slow, and there seemed to be a lot of wordiness that were not needed. At times during the first few chapters I also felt the author used big words for the sake of sounding like she was smart, however as the story progresses she stops doing this, which makes the story more enjoyable.
I felt like there were two possible times for a climax in this story, and both were underwhelming. When Eloy and Corwin find the underground city and meet Evas there is build up as to why the city lives underground. The night when Eloy and Corwin are out to see what the evil creatures are was well written. You worried about if they would make it through the night, and when they are discovered you start to panic a bit that they won't make it.... Well Corwin anyway, as the story is about Eloy so you know he will get through it. Eloy then comes up with a viable plan, and they work towards this plan. Once the put into the motion the burning of the creatures, I feel like other than Charlin having to sacrifice himself to start the fires, but the fact that Corwin ended up with a scratch and Eloy was fine, doesn't seem realistic. There should have been more detail in this scene, and more injuries, even if they live through them, it should have been a little more realistic than barely anything. I was a little disappointed with this part of the story because of all of the build up to it that it should have been more exciting.
I enjoyed when Eloy and Corwin went back to the Bowl. The description of Corwin learning they were going back, and how angry he was, was very well done. Going back to something that changed who those little boys were was great. When they find that the Bowl is no longer filled with people they are creating to just be war fodder, and their disappointment that Tudek is lost to insanity, and no longer the man they hated was very well done. You felt the anger, sadness and relief when they got out again. That horrible time in their lives was over, and they never had to go back to it. It also gave Eloy a lead to where Francena was.
Which brings me to the second possible climax of the story, and again it was underwhelming. I felt like Francena fell into Eloy's lap too easily. His determination to find his sister is a main theme throughout the whole book, and then he just finds her after he gets his first lead. I understand that she ended up being treated well, but it should not have been so easy. Even if the person who came out of the house with an arrow to his face was someone else, and they bring him into the house to try and figure out what he wants from them, and eventually she comes in, would have been better then him walking in front of the house too many times and she bolts out. It was too easy. I expected more, because of the arc of the storyline of her being taken. It just wasn't enough.
Francena's relationship with Corwin however, I like. She has not been broken, or burdened with a loveless marriage, and now she can love, and so can he. Corwin and Eloy have been through so much together that it is nice to have something good happen for him. Eloy will not get his happy ending til the end of the third book.
Although there were things I would change about this book, I did enjoy it. I look forward to the rest of the series and to finding out what the heck that stone opens.
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