This was a re-read(or listen rather) of a book that I read and liked many years ago.

I'll be honest, I didn't remember much of this book compared to what I remembered of Empress, and I can see why. In book two you are no longer in Mijak for the most part and it's a bit of a shock. Ethrea is very European-like, maybe this world's version of England. I like Rhian, the new main character, and her retinue, but after the feelings of Hekat's story Rhian is a bit flatter. Book two is a waiting game, a build up similar to the first book set in another nation that any reader would know is leading to a standoff between the nations. The plot of book two is necessary, but this reader was impatient with it. Get it over with, this plot is small fries compared to what's coming. So I enjoyed it less, especially since the religious stuff makes me feel quite a bit grosser now than it did the first time I read it. I did like that I got some explanation for the two, seemingly clashing, voices of the god of the book universe, an explanation that I had guessed, and not remembered was explicitly stated in book two. Also, I think Zendikar's mental workings in this book were meant to be similar to those of the reader who has been thrown into this more familiar, but jarring world compared to Mijak. You and he are supposed to heal from some of the brutality of Empress, but still have some contempt for the way some people are a bit soft in Ethrea. It's a big jump to go from monsters to pacifists, and you and Zendikar have to do it together. Having him around also helps with comparing the cultures to see that neither of them have it all right or wrong, considering the misogyny question.

I will honestly admit that I remember even less of book three, but I'm hoping that I just forgot it due to time and not because the series continues to not be as good as the first book. Here I am, moving on in this series(by listening to the audio because I think that my paperback copy has had it). ( )

I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book, mainly because it got a bit repetitious for my taste (especially the language). But at least it was different. I quite liked hearing the story from the antagonist's pov.

This one is just boring. 700 pages about dynastic struggles, arguments about marriage and a whole bunch of one dimensional characters. I'll take battles over boring politics any day.

What really bugged me is how euro-centric it suddenly is. It just reads like a thinly veiled version of good white Christians and evil barbaric Muslims. ( )

Dit boek paste prima in de challenge voor augustus (een boek met een eiland) van de ff-leesclub, maar hij stond niet erg hoog op mijn binnenkort-te-lezen lijst. Ik ben erg blij dat ik dit boek toch heb gepakt, want ik vond het een prima te lezen boek en ga dan ook gelijk door in het derde deel. ( )

Good ( )

This book wasnt as good as the first book but I still really enjoyed it. ( )