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Shades of Rust and Ruin #2
Seasons of Flesh and Flame
New York Times bestselling author A.G. Howard concludes her dark, compelling YA fantasy series about twins separated by a family curse.
Nix Loring stepped into Mystiquel to face the Goblin King and break her family’s curse. When she found her twin, Lark, held captive for three years and forced to power the magical realm with her imagination, Nix offered herself up in her sister’s place.
Now, Nix wants nothing more than to be home with the people she loves. Instead, she's tasked to create beauty from a world fallen to desolation. She finds herself drawn to the faerie creatures under her care—and even reluctantly drawn to the Goblin King himself. But how can she rebuild the very realm that tore her family apart?
Back home, her uncle and boyfriend desperately plan a rescue. But Lark, having learned Nix was meant to be the Goblin King’s captive in the first place, resents how her twin stole everything belonging to her during her absence. Worse yet, Lark harbors an unspeakable secret that could destroy what little she has left.
As time draws closer to the rescue, Lark grapples with the darkness growing inside: should she help save her sister, or finally get her revenge?
Set in a gritty, atmospheric world filled with magical creatures, New York Times bestselling author A.G. Howard concludes her thrilling fantasy duology full of romance, twists, and betrayals.
Nix Loring stepped into Mystiquel to face the Goblin King and break her family’s curse. When she found her twin, Lark, held captive for three years and forced to power the magical realm with her imagination, Nix offered herself up in her sister’s place.
Now, Nix wants nothing more than to be home with the people she loves. Instead, she's tasked to create beauty from a world fallen to desolation. She finds herself drawn to the faerie creatures under her care—and even reluctantly drawn to the Goblin King himself. But how can she rebuild the very realm that tore her family apart?
Back home, her uncle and boyfriend desperately plan a rescue. But Lark, having learned Nix was meant to be the Goblin King’s captive in the first place, resents how her twin stole everything belonging to her during her absence. Worse yet, Lark harbors an unspeakable secret that could destroy what little she has left.
As time draws closer to the rescue, Lark grapples with the darkness growing inside: should she help save her sister, or finally get her revenge?
Set in a gritty, atmospheric world filled with magical creatures, New York Times bestselling author A.G. Howard concludes her thrilling fantasy duology full of romance, twists, and betrayals.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2024
17 people are currently reading
6485 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Howard
21 books9,076 followers#1 New York Times and International bestselling Author of gothic / fantasy & paranormal tales, mystical & romantic with a side of horror. A.G.'s dark Alice in Wonderland inspired Splintered series has been published in over a dozen languages.
Young adult, Adult, and literary romance. Repped by Jenny Bent.
How A.G. Howard rates books on GoodReads:
"I only rate or review books I enjoyed reading, and won't give any rating below 4 stars. Please don't consider every high rating a personal endorsement / recommendation from me. My ratings here are subjective to me as an individual.
I don't rate books solely on style. Every writer's voice is individual and unique; I've come to respect this truth during my own personal journey. As long as a story takes me to another place and is well edited, I'm going to give it a good rating. And if, for some reason, a book doesn't entertain me or I don't finish it, I won't leave a rating or review at all.
If you're considering a book I've reviewed/rated, be sure to read other reviews/ratings alongside mine to help you decide if it's a read you might enjoy personally.
Happy book hunting!"
Young adult, Adult, and literary romance. Repped by Jenny Bent.
How A.G. Howard rates books on GoodReads:
"I only rate or review books I enjoyed reading, and won't give any rating below 4 stars. Please don't consider every high rating a personal endorsement / recommendation from me. My ratings here are subjective to me as an individual.
I don't rate books solely on style. Every writer's voice is individual and unique; I've come to respect this truth during my own personal journey. As long as a story takes me to another place and is well edited, I'm going to give it a good rating. And if, for some reason, a book doesn't entertain me or I don't finish it, I won't leave a rating or review at all.
If you're considering a book I've reviewed/rated, be sure to read other reviews/ratings alongside mine to help you decide if it's a read you might enjoy personally.
Happy book hunting!"
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 24, 2024
I'd really love to drop all the spoilers right here, but I'll refrain because you deserve to savor every word of this delicious duology with a clean palette.
So, I'll say this instead:
THIS BOOK IS SO RIDICULOUSLY CLEVER & CREATIVE I COULD CRY!
From start to finish, I was either at the edge of my seat, giggling with schoolgirl delight, or hoisting my jaw off the floor. Besides the twisty plot, the unexpected reveals, speedy pacing, and the tantalizing descriptions, the very concept of this series has left me completely dumbstruck by AG's talents.
HOW DOES SHE COME UP WITH THIS STUFF?!
If you read SHADES OF RUST & RUIN (book 1) you're going to devour this!! In proven AG fashion, every question your brain's been churning over will be answered (and expanded upon!) with seamless precision...never a dangling plot thread in her realm.
If you haven't read SHADES OF RUST & RUIN do that RIGHT NOW!
Buy both books so you can read them back-to-back. You'll thank me, I promise!
5 VERY SHINY STARS FOR THIS STUNNER!
So, I'll say this instead:
THIS BOOK IS SO RIDICULOUSLY CLEVER & CREATIVE I COULD CRY!
From start to finish, I was either at the edge of my seat, giggling with schoolgirl delight, or hoisting my jaw off the floor. Besides the twisty plot, the unexpected reveals, speedy pacing, and the tantalizing descriptions, the very concept of this series has left me completely dumbstruck by AG's talents.
HOW DOES SHE COME UP WITH THIS STUFF?!
If you read SHADES OF RUST & RUIN (book 1) you're going to devour this!! In proven AG fashion, every question your brain's been churning over will be answered (and expanded upon!) with seamless precision...never a dangling plot thread in her realm.
If you haven't read SHADES OF RUST & RUIN do that RIGHT NOW!
Buy both books so you can read them back-to-back. You'll thank me, I promise!
5 VERY SHINY STARS FOR THIS STUNNER!
September 23, 2024
Ok, so when I first started this book, I was not super impressed. I don't really know what it was. But once I hit one plot twist about halfway through, everything changed, and the second half was fantastic.
So in the first book, we only have Nix's POV. This is obvious because we don't know Lark is alive until the very end of the first book. The second book is from both of their POV's which makes so much sense, but at the same time, we get so many (long) flashbacks from Lark that it almost felt like the first book should have been a dual POV so we understood how Lark was living without it taking up so much of the second book. Reading this book felt like doing a puzzle without knowing what it was supposed to be. I fumbled around at the beginning, I didn't really know what our end goal was, but then you start to figure out the picture and everything starts making sense. Once we get to one specific plot twist, everything just clicked into place and I was so excited to see how it would end. Things just kept getting thrown at me that I wasn't expecting but it made so much sense. And it was one thing after the other for the entire second half of the book which just made me so intrigued. I absolutely loved the resolution of a specific thing. I had no idea how it was going to turn out and everything that happened, I feel like couldn't have ended any better.
At first I didn't like Lark. She was so mad at Nix and her uncle for "taking her life" and for moving on without her after she died. Even though people told her that Nix was so broken for so long that that's even why she thought she stopped seeing colors, Lark didn't believe them and was so mad at Nix. Honestly, she didn't get much better until the end, but I enjoyed her character arc and who she ended up being. Nix was so worried about doing her best for Mystiquiel until she found out Lark betrayed her. Her poor emotions went on a rollercoaster ride throughout this book. So many things were revealed to her and she did her best to navigate it all.
The writing style of this book was just ok, I feel like there were super out there words that were used. It just was so jarring reading these words that I had never even seen before and it almost took me out of the story every time. I feel like more common words could have reached the same thoughts and made it flow better. That's the only complaint I have about it though and once I got into the second half, it didn't bother me as much because I was so interested in what was going on.
While there were things that weren't my favorite, I was so entranced by the entire second half of the book that it made up for everything that I didn't love in the first half. It was just so good!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
So in the first book, we only have Nix's POV. This is obvious because we don't know Lark is alive until the very end of the first book. The second book is from both of their POV's which makes so much sense, but at the same time, we get so many (long) flashbacks from Lark that it almost felt like the first book should have been a dual POV so we understood how Lark was living without it taking up so much of the second book. Reading this book felt like doing a puzzle without knowing what it was supposed to be. I fumbled around at the beginning, I didn't really know what our end goal was, but then you start to figure out the picture and everything starts making sense. Once we get to one specific plot twist, everything just clicked into place and I was so excited to see how it would end. Things just kept getting thrown at me that I wasn't expecting but it made so much sense. And it was one thing after the other for the entire second half of the book which just made me so intrigued. I absolutely loved the resolution of a specific thing. I had no idea how it was going to turn out and everything that happened, I feel like couldn't have ended any better.
At first I didn't like Lark. She was so mad at Nix and her uncle for "taking her life" and for moving on without her after she died. Even though people told her that Nix was so broken for so long that that's even why she thought she stopped seeing colors, Lark didn't believe them and was so mad at Nix. Honestly, she didn't get much better until the end, but I enjoyed her character arc and who she ended up being. Nix was so worried about doing her best for Mystiquiel until she found out Lark betrayed her. Her poor emotions went on a rollercoaster ride throughout this book. So many things were revealed to her and she did her best to navigate it all.
The writing style of this book was just ok, I feel like there were super out there words that were used. It just was so jarring reading these words that I had never even seen before and it almost took me out of the story every time. I feel like more common words could have reached the same thoughts and made it flow better. That's the only complaint I have about it though and once I got into the second half, it didn't bother me as much because I was so interested in what was going on.
While there were things that weren't my favorite, I was so entranced by the entire second half of the book that it made up for everything that I didn't love in the first half. It was just so good!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
November 21, 2024
I put off reading this a little bit because I'm in a very festive holiday mood and I meant to read this closer to Halloween. To my surprise, this takes place in November/December and had a lot of fun spooky festive elements like monster gingerbread men and krampus! It also continues the extremely unique fantasy world that I loved in book one. Such a delightful duology.
October 19, 2024
I love how Howard played around with the mythology and magic of Labyrinth and Goblin Market in bringing the finale of Mystiquel to life. I enjoyed how the more creepy aspects of Christmas were used in this sequel to Shades of Rust and Ruin. Overall, the plotline and characters evoke her Splintered novels while standing apart in their own goblin fairyland. I believe Alyssa and Lark would be amazing friends. Lark's character arc was my favorite and I loved the drama surrounding Nix and her's parent's story.
September 9, 2024
**I was given an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I can't think of a better way for this duology to end! To be back in this world with these characters, unravel more of the mystery and yearning for a HEA. This gives all the gothic vibes that you would want for your fall reads. Definitely make sure you start with book 1 which is Shades of Rust & Ruin. The backstory, the reason why her family members die every halloween and so much more are revealed there.
I'm sad that this story ended but I think it was so fitting on where the characters ended up.
https://www.youtube.com/@EnchantedRos...
I can't think of a better way for this duology to end! To be back in this world with these characters, unravel more of the mystery and yearning for a HEA. This gives all the gothic vibes that you would want for your fall reads. Definitely make sure you start with book 1 which is Shades of Rust & Ruin. The backstory, the reason why her family members die every halloween and so much more are revealed there.
I'm sad that this story ended but I think it was so fitting on where the characters ended up.
https://www.youtube.com/@EnchantedRos...
October 28, 2024
I love this book what an amazing magical story! Wow! What a crazy twist! I did not see that coming but so amazing! Nix and Lark 2 sides of the same coin but nothing like Sisterly Love.
October 30, 2024
Please do not read this review unless you have already read the first book called Shades of Rust and Ruin. If you choose to read the second book first, then you will be left spoiled for this book and you won't understand the backstory or the characters for this book. This is truly a duology that works best together, much like the two main characters Nix and Lark.
I read Shades of Rust and Ruin and I was speechless. I am still torn about giving it 4 to 5 stars because while I did enjoy it, I wanted the emotional moments to hit harder. Well, I finished Seasons of Flesh and Flame and I found myself emotionally satisfied. Perhaps that is a strange way to word it, but I loved this book and dare I say that it was even better than the first book...because I loved getting more into the nitty gritty of Nix and Lark.
Phoenix "Nix" has switched places with her twin Lark. Nix is stuck in Mystiquiel and must fulfill her duties as the Architect, heal the damage done by Lark, and return Mystiquiel to glory. Nix is the true Architect of Mystiquiel.
Lark was never supposed to be the Architect for Mystiquiel. We read from Lark's perspective as well. Lark has returned back to the land of humans but she is not the same girl she was when she first left either...
The first book we followed Nix and her grief over Lark's death, this time we follow Nix and Lark as they learn to forgive each other and themselves. In Shades of Rust and Ruin, Nix felt that she was the weaker twin, no good, and she even gave up on her own dreams of artwork to pursue her sister's dream of robotics to keep Lark alive. Nix was always jealous of her sister's talents and was even in love with Lark's boyfriend Clarey. Oh how the tables have turned.
We learn very quickly how bad Lark was for Mystiquiel because she was into robotics which is metal and iron. Her dreams of robotics basically poisoned Mystiquiel and corrupted all the inhabitants. She loved them...but that love was not enough. In this book we learn that Lark, much like Nix, feels the lesser of the two. She feels like a failure because she couldn't do her job as the Architect, angry again that it was supposed to be Nix all along. Her anger that Nix "stole" her life from her TWICE. She is angry at Nix for so much. Angry at the family who she feels never grieved her. Angry that when she is finally home, everyone is preoccupied with rescuing Nix and now she cannot even have her life back! Lark has to pretend to be Nix because in the human world "Lark is dead" and so she must begrudgingly step into Nix's life. So even though she has returned home...she can never truly belong there...much like she never belonged in Mystiquiel either.
The first one was a story focusing on grief, this one is a story of forgiveness. Nix and Lark must learn to forgive each other and perhaps most importantly to forgive themselves. They must realize how strong they are for their strengths and how amazing they are together.
Most importantly this is the bond between two sisters. This book hit me in the feels harder than the first one. I could understand everything that these two girls felt.
setting: This book flourished in prose and setting. It was so easy to immerse myself into their worlds and be right alongside with them. AG Howard has the type of prose that isn't overly flowery but it feels magical. It paints the picture of magic, deceit, cunning, and danger. I was so enamoured with this story I had to finish it in one day. I was immersed into this story and I enjoyed following both Nix in Mystiquiel as she fixes it back up and Lark in the human world. It is so difficult for an author to do two perspectives, BUT she did it wonderfully. I enjoyed having both sister's perspectives to read from, I understood their feelings, their passions, their pain, actions, and all I wanted was for them to reconcile. To remember how much they love each other. I can see why some people might be frustrated with one or the other, but I saw two young girls who are hurting, both put into impossible situations, and they needed each other.
plot: This book blew the first one out of the water. This book was so much faster and more things happening. The course of the book goes over a longer period of time. First book was two days, this book is from November (right after Halloween when Nix switched with Lark) all the way through December. Again, in this second book, I was not able to 100% guess all the twists and reveals in this story. Which I love the unpredictably of this book in particular. There were several times where I thought, "oh I know where this is going" and then suddenly AG Howard said, "nope! gotcha!" AG Howard lays the groundwork for the clues in the book and it truly is like piecing together a puzzle that once you see the big picture it all makes sense. The book kinda makes me think of The Nightmare Before Christmas (because it works as a Halloween and a horror Christmas movie).
characters: I loved Lark, Nix and the Goblin King, and Uncle Thatch. Gosh, I do not know where to begin.
Lark and Nix, even though they are twins they are their own individuals. They are each other's halves and they need to find their way back to each other. I loved getting to know these young ladies better.
Uncle Thatch truly is such a kind, loving and gentle man. He loves Nix and Lark so very very much. I am so appreciative by how he showed a fatherly love towards the girls. There is a particular scene between him and Lark that made me emotional.
The Goblin King. I do not want to give anything away, but wow. I love him. He might get a bad reputation but he is a true King. While you may think he is nothing but selfish, that couldn't be further from the case.
For those of you who loved Clarey, you might be disappointed. Clarey does take more of a backseat to this book....I thought he would be more prominent but he wasn't. Which is quite sad and weird as he is a love interest and literally got pushed to the side.
side characters: those who want to know, there are a couple friends of Nix who are in the book. A lesbian couple. I do not even remember their names! They were barely in the first book and barely in this second one. Honestly makes me wonder why the author even included them, when she could have just had another established character like uncle or Clarey get more "screentime". Well that's my take, personally it felt like a check off a diverse box because they are barely in the story to begin with.
Overall, I am satisfied with this book. I loved it. I devoured it and nearly stayed up until midnight to read it (sorry hubby!). It was written so well and the emotional moments hit me harder in this book. I loved Lark and Nix and I'm sad to leave them behind. I do hope that maybe AG Howard can write a book focusing on their parents, Imogen and Owen. I would just love that.
It opens up with a scene from the past focusing on Imogen and Owen:
"Once you remember yourself, you'll remember me and be drawn to the location of the veil. Wait there on Halloween, and I'll find my way to you." As Imogen slid the ring onto Owen's finger, her whisper lingered in the air between them, an unseeable bridge as intimate and potent as shared breath. She paused. "You're sure you want to remember?" Tears filled the corners of her eyes.
"Yes." Owen answered without hesitation, although he knew to forget would be easier. His insides quaked with emotion--a gut wrenching dread of being away from her for the next seven and a half months: watchful for the end of October, wondering how she was, unable to offer aid. It would feel like an eternity.
I read Shades of Rust and Ruin and I was speechless. I am still torn about giving it 4 to 5 stars because while I did enjoy it, I wanted the emotional moments to hit harder. Well, I finished Seasons of Flesh and Flame and I found myself emotionally satisfied. Perhaps that is a strange way to word it, but I loved this book and dare I say that it was even better than the first book...because I loved getting more into the nitty gritty of Nix and Lark.
Phoenix "Nix" has switched places with her twin Lark. Nix is stuck in Mystiquiel and must fulfill her duties as the Architect, heal the damage done by Lark, and return Mystiquiel to glory. Nix is the true Architect of Mystiquiel.
Lark was never supposed to be the Architect for Mystiquiel. We read from Lark's perspective as well. Lark has returned back to the land of humans but she is not the same girl she was when she first left either...
The first book we followed Nix and her grief over Lark's death, this time we follow Nix and Lark as they learn to forgive each other and themselves. In Shades of Rust and Ruin, Nix felt that she was the weaker twin, no good, and she even gave up on her own dreams of artwork to pursue her sister's dream of robotics to keep Lark alive. Nix was always jealous of her sister's talents and was even in love with Lark's boyfriend Clarey. Oh how the tables have turned.
We learn very quickly how bad Lark was for Mystiquiel because she was into robotics which is metal and iron. Her dreams of robotics basically poisoned Mystiquiel and corrupted all the inhabitants. She loved them...but that love was not enough. In this book we learn that Lark, much like Nix, feels the lesser of the two. She feels like a failure because she couldn't do her job as the Architect, angry again that it was supposed to be Nix all along. Her anger that Nix "stole" her life from her TWICE. She is angry at Nix for so much. Angry at the family who she feels never grieved her. Angry that when she is finally home, everyone is preoccupied with rescuing Nix and now she cannot even have her life back! Lark has to pretend to be Nix because in the human world "Lark is dead" and so she must begrudgingly step into Nix's life. So even though she has returned home...she can never truly belong there...much like she never belonged in Mystiquiel either.
The first one was a story focusing on grief, this one is a story of forgiveness. Nix and Lark must learn to forgive each other and perhaps most importantly to forgive themselves. They must realize how strong they are for their strengths and how amazing they are together.
Most importantly this is the bond between two sisters. This book hit me in the feels harder than the first one. I could understand everything that these two girls felt.
setting: This book flourished in prose and setting. It was so easy to immerse myself into their worlds and be right alongside with them. AG Howard has the type of prose that isn't overly flowery but it feels magical. It paints the picture of magic, deceit, cunning, and danger. I was so enamoured with this story I had to finish it in one day. I was immersed into this story and I enjoyed following both Nix in Mystiquiel as she fixes it back up and Lark in the human world. It is so difficult for an author to do two perspectives, BUT she did it wonderfully. I enjoyed having both sister's perspectives to read from, I understood their feelings, their passions, their pain, actions, and all I wanted was for them to reconcile. To remember how much they love each other. I can see why some people might be frustrated with one or the other, but I saw two young girls who are hurting, both put into impossible situations, and they needed each other.
plot: This book blew the first one out of the water. This book was so much faster and more things happening. The course of the book goes over a longer period of time. First book was two days, this book is from November (right after Halloween when Nix switched with Lark) all the way through December. Again, in this second book, I was not able to 100% guess all the twists and reveals in this story. Which I love the unpredictably of this book in particular. There were several times where I thought, "oh I know where this is going" and then suddenly AG Howard said, "nope! gotcha!" AG Howard lays the groundwork for the clues in the book and it truly is like piecing together a puzzle that once you see the big picture it all makes sense. The book kinda makes me think of The Nightmare Before Christmas (because it works as a Halloween and a horror Christmas movie).
characters: I loved Lark, Nix and the Goblin King, and Uncle Thatch. Gosh, I do not know where to begin.
Lark and Nix, even though they are twins they are their own individuals. They are each other's halves and they need to find their way back to each other. I loved getting to know these young ladies better.
Uncle Thatch truly is such a kind, loving and gentle man. He loves Nix and Lark so very very much. I am so appreciative by how he showed a fatherly love towards the girls. There is a particular scene between him and Lark that made me emotional.
The Goblin King. I do not want to give anything away, but wow. I love him. He might get a bad reputation but he is a true King. While you may think he is nothing but selfish, that couldn't be further from the case.
For those of you who loved Clarey, you might be disappointed. Clarey does take more of a backseat to this book....I thought he would be more prominent but he wasn't. Which is quite sad and weird as he is a love interest and literally got pushed to the side.
side characters: those who want to know, there are a couple friends of Nix who are in the book. A lesbian couple. I do not even remember their names! They were barely in the first book and barely in this second one. Honestly makes me wonder why the author even included them, when she could have just had another established character like uncle or Clarey get more "screentime". Well that's my take, personally it felt like a check off a diverse box because they are barely in the story to begin with.
Overall, I am satisfied with this book. I loved it. I devoured it and nearly stayed up until midnight to read it (sorry hubby!). It was written so well and the emotional moments hit me harder in this book. I loved Lark and Nix and I'm sad to leave them behind. I do hope that maybe AG Howard can write a book focusing on their parents, Imogen and Owen. I would just love that.
It opens up with a scene from the past focusing on Imogen and Owen:
"Once you remember yourself, you'll remember me and be drawn to the location of the veil. Wait there on Halloween, and I'll find my way to you." As Imogen slid the ring onto Owen's finger, her whisper lingered in the air between them, an unseeable bridge as intimate and potent as shared breath. She paused. "You're sure you want to remember?" Tears filled the corners of her eyes.
"Yes." Owen answered without hesitation, although he knew to forget would be easier. His insides quaked with emotion--a gut wrenching dread of being away from her for the next seven and a half months: watchful for the end of October, wondering how she was, unable to offer aid. It would feel like an eternity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2025
A beautifully dark and immersive journey filled with rich imagery, enchanting twists, and a hauntingly magical atmosphere. Each page draws you deeper into a world where fantasy and emotion collide.
July 22, 2025
I hate writing this but this book just didn't work for me. it felt way too convenient
January 1, 2025
Loved it!being a twin myself I was over the moon to find a series about twins and the fey world!!
April 4, 2025
An enchanting sequel to Nix and Lark’s story. Full of plot twists I did NOT see coming. I really enjoyed the goblin lore and I was eating up the Goblin King’s romance storyline. I need more Perish and Lark! I am going to miss the world and characters of Mystiquel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2025
There are spoilers ahead for Shades of Rust and Ruin. This suffers the fate of a lot of sequels in feeling like there’s not quite enough story left for an entire book. Instead of developing much of a plot of its own, the prose wallows in lush descriptions (of things we’ve mostly already seen) and things that happened to the characters in the past. Howard’s books are always heavy on the imagery, but it’s excessive even by her standards here. I even enjoy them to a point, since it makes for wonderfully atmospheric worlds, but not at the expense of the plot, characters, and everything else. To top it off, the fantastic Halloweencore/steampunk goblin world I fell in love with in the first book is largely absent here, “cured” into being what’s pretty much like every faerie world I’ve ever read about, no resemblance to goblin lore whatsoever. It’s a disappointing downgrade, and I found myself skimming through a lot of the descriptions, since they’re not actually relevant to anything that’s happening.
I struggled with the characters as well. It’s difficult to be in Lark’s perspective after all the sacrifices Nix made to free her sister, knowing now that Lark resents her so much. I fail to see how letting Lark get kidnapped to the goblin world is even Nix’s fault when we learn that Lark chose to stay there, so she hates her for exactly no reason. If anyone’s got cause for a grudge, it’s Nix. Perish is sidelined for a lot of the action as well, so there’s not a lot of goblin king on the page either. While I was ultimately satisfied with the ending, it’s a pretty bland road getting there. I had higher hopes for it.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
I struggled with the characters as well. It’s difficult to be in Lark’s perspective after all the sacrifices Nix made to free her sister, knowing now that Lark resents her so much. I fail to see how letting Lark get kidnapped to the goblin world is even Nix’s fault when we learn that Lark chose to stay there, so she hates her for exactly no reason. If anyone’s got cause for a grudge, it’s Nix. Perish is sidelined for a lot of the action as well, so there’s not a lot of goblin king on the page either. While I was ultimately satisfied with the ending, it’s a pretty bland road getting there. I had higher hopes for it.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
December 16, 2025
Lark ha regresado al mundo humano decidida a romper todo vínculo con el mundo de los Goblin. Su hermana Nix ha tomado su lugar para volver a darle vida a Mystiquel, recreando el lugar a través de su arte. Sin embargo, los secretos que se esconden podrían ponerlo todo en peligro.
Me gustó este libro, fue una lectura muy interesante que estuvo contada desde la perspectiva de ambas hermanas. Al tener estos dos puntos de vista, nos permitió saber lo que sucedía tanto en Mystiquel como en el mundo humano. La trama fue entretenida, se fue creando una bola de nieve de problemas hasta desatar un completo caos. El inicio me pareció un poco lento, pero fue tomando ritmo a medida que avanzaba la historia hasta llegar a las últimas páginas que estuvieron llenas de acción y adrenalina.
Lo que más me gustó fue el mundo mágico que ha creado la autora. Cada detalle estuvo repleto de imaginación y creatividad, desde los lugares y las criaturas de Mystiquel, hasta el despliegue de una magia increíblemente hermosa que me dejó alucinada. Destaco el gran talento que tiene Anita para crear estos mundos únicos y oscuramente bellos en cada uno de sus libros.
Tuvo un gran plot twist que no me esperaba para nada y me dejó recalculando. Eso estuvo muy bueno, aunque creo que esperaba más revelaciones impactantes, algo que hiciera que la trama fuera más compleja porque me resultó bastante lineal.
También me hubiera gustado un poco más de romance, esos momentos que te dejan suspirando de amor, en donde cómo se va formando una conexión. Sólo obtenemos pequeños vistazos de lo que fue ocurriendo en el pasado y muy poco en tiempo real.
De todas maneras, fue un libro que se enfocó mayormente en el vínculo entre hermanas, en esa relación tan fragmentada entre Nix y Lark que ha pasado por tantos choques, traiciones y la nostalgia por un pasado compartido. Eso me pareció muy bonito y especial, esa lucha entre el rencor y el perdón. Hubo momentos repletos de drama y emociones.
Y tuvo un final muy bonito, aunque esperaba más. Todo se resolvió bastante rápido y eso me decepcionó un poco. Eso me pasó con todo el libro, incluso algunas cosas me parecieron un tanto similares a Susurros, pero igual fue una buena lectura y un lindo cierre para una historia muy especial.
Me gustó este libro, fue una lectura muy interesante que estuvo contada desde la perspectiva de ambas hermanas. Al tener estos dos puntos de vista, nos permitió saber lo que sucedía tanto en Mystiquel como en el mundo humano. La trama fue entretenida, se fue creando una bola de nieve de problemas hasta desatar un completo caos. El inicio me pareció un poco lento, pero fue tomando ritmo a medida que avanzaba la historia hasta llegar a las últimas páginas que estuvieron llenas de acción y adrenalina.
Lo que más me gustó fue el mundo mágico que ha creado la autora. Cada detalle estuvo repleto de imaginación y creatividad, desde los lugares y las criaturas de Mystiquel, hasta el despliegue de una magia increíblemente hermosa que me dejó alucinada. Destaco el gran talento que tiene Anita para crear estos mundos únicos y oscuramente bellos en cada uno de sus libros.
Tuvo un gran plot twist que no me esperaba para nada y me dejó recalculando. Eso estuvo muy bueno, aunque creo que esperaba más revelaciones impactantes, algo que hiciera que la trama fuera más compleja porque me resultó bastante lineal.
También me hubiera gustado un poco más de romance, esos momentos que te dejan suspirando de amor, en donde cómo se va formando una conexión. Sólo obtenemos pequeños vistazos de lo que fue ocurriendo en el pasado y muy poco en tiempo real.
De todas maneras, fue un libro que se enfocó mayormente en el vínculo entre hermanas, en esa relación tan fragmentada entre Nix y Lark que ha pasado por tantos choques, traiciones y la nostalgia por un pasado compartido. Eso me pareció muy bonito y especial, esa lucha entre el rencor y el perdón. Hubo momentos repletos de drama y emociones.
Y tuvo un final muy bonito, aunque esperaba más. Todo se resolvió bastante rápido y eso me decepcionó un poco. Eso me pasó con todo el libro, incluso algunas cosas me parecieron un tanto similares a Susurros, pero igual fue una buena lectura y un lindo cierre para una historia muy especial.
September 29, 2024
Have you ever read a book that just went places you didn’t think it would go and that you didn’t see coming, but in a bad way?
This was my experience with Seasons of Flesh and Flame.
I quite liked Shades of Rust and Ruin, enough that I preordered Seasons of Flesh and Flame and was truly excited to get my hands on a eARC. In my opinion, Shades of Rust and Ruin may have had a slight tendency to slip into over-description too often, but the plot was entertaining and the characters were extremely interesting. The ending was absolutely perfect, and so I wanted to see more of that fearlessness and audacity in Seasons of Flesh and Flame.
Instead, I felt like this book could’ve been 100 pages shorter and felt less like a Disney Channel movie.
I’m sorry to state it that way, but there it is.
I was provided a copy of this title by the publisher and the author via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews rated three stars or under will not appear on my social media. Thank you.
File Under: Book Series/Fantasy/Fantasy Series/YA Fantasy
This was my experience with Seasons of Flesh and Flame.
I quite liked Shades of Rust and Ruin, enough that I preordered Seasons of Flesh and Flame and was truly excited to get my hands on a eARC. In my opinion, Shades of Rust and Ruin may have had a slight tendency to slip into over-description too often, but the plot was entertaining and the characters were extremely interesting. The ending was absolutely perfect, and so I wanted to see more of that fearlessness and audacity in Seasons of Flesh and Flame.
Instead, I felt like this book could’ve been 100 pages shorter and felt less like a Disney Channel movie.
I’m sorry to state it that way, but there it is.
I was provided a copy of this title by the publisher and the author via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews rated three stars or under will not appear on my social media. Thank you.
File Under: Book Series/Fantasy/Fantasy Series/YA Fantasy
October 24, 2025
I don’t know how she does it, but Howard is so good at bringing all the gothic vibes to YA fiction. Her worlds are always just the right amount of creepy, too.
There was ALOT going on in this story with revelations and plot twists galore. I loved being in both Astoria, WA and the goblin city of Mystiquel with the differing viewpoints of the twins. I did, however, find the last 100 pages a bit too drawn out.
I was surprised that this book extends into the Christmas season, but I LOVED the appearance of Krampus and killer gingerbread men. The Santa joke at the end was super cute, too.
I will say that the romance in this duology was more subdued than her Splintered series, which is fine. There were no curse words that I can remember either. Also, the violence in this didn’t seem anything above a PG-13 movie rating.There are two girls that are mentioned to be in a relationship, which was probably just thrown in there to check the inclusive box. All in all a solid YA read.
There was ALOT going on in this story with revelations and plot twists galore. I loved being in both Astoria, WA and the goblin city of Mystiquel with the differing viewpoints of the twins. I did, however, find the last 100 pages a bit too drawn out.
I was surprised that this book extends into the Christmas season, but I LOVED the appearance of Krampus and killer gingerbread men. The Santa joke at the end was super cute, too.
I will say that the romance in this duology was more subdued than her Splintered series, which is fine. There were no curse words that I can remember either. Also, the violence in this didn’t seem anything above a PG-13 movie rating.There are two girls that are mentioned to be in a relationship, which was probably just thrown in there to check the inclusive box. All in all a solid YA read.
October 27, 2025
A kind of mid conclusion to the duology. It never quite went the way I expected, in an unsatisfying way.
I did like that the romances in this book took a backseat to the sister story. I was annoyed by both sisters throughout the book, but it is nice that they ended up fighting for each other. (That being said, the way she describes the goblin king is a little creepy.)
But the story and prose were hard to follow. The older I've gotten, the more I've noticed that A. G. Howard's writing tends to be a bit purple in nature. She also managed to make Mystiquel feel very small, when I feel like a magical world powered by imagination should be sprawling.
Anyway, not entirely sure I recommend this duology, but it's not terrible, either.
I did like that the romances in this book took a backseat to the sister story. I was annoyed by both sisters throughout the book, but it is nice that they ended up fighting for each other. (That being said, the way she describes the goblin king is a little creepy.)
But the story and prose were hard to follow. The older I've gotten, the more I've noticed that A. G. Howard's writing tends to be a bit purple in nature. She also managed to make Mystiquel feel very small, when I feel like a magical world powered by imagination should be sprawling.
Anyway, not entirely sure I recommend this duology, but it's not terrible, either.
November 17, 2025
Immediately after finishing this book, I had to rewatch Labyrinth and reread Goblin Market.I love how Howard incorporated so many elements from the movie and the poem into this duology. The first hundred-ish pages of this book were hard to read because of all the betrayal and heartbreak between Nix and Lark. The action, the revelations, and the ending totally made up for the emotional turmoil of the beginning. I love how vibrant and grotesque Howard's worlds and characters are. This duology is worthy of the Goblin King himself.
July 10, 2025
I don't remember being super impressed by the first book, but I thought I might as well finish the series. The first book was kinda in that grey area where it wasn't completely not for me, but it also wasn't interesting enough that I would be excited for the next book.
Anyways. The story was interesting, but I couldn't really find myself super invested in any of the characters. It read kinda superficially for me.
Not saying that it's poorly written, but this one just wasn't for me.
Anyways. The story was interesting, but I couldn't really find myself super invested in any of the characters. It read kinda superficially for me.
Not saying that it's poorly written, but this one just wasn't for me.
October 28, 2025
I enjoyed this book more than the previous one, but I still found myself very bored thru most of it. It was enjoyable to have both Nix & Larks point of views. I was glad we got to see what was happening in both of their worlds and heads. I liked how the story was wrapped up. Overall thinking back I enjoyed the story and liked it for the most part I just felt there was too many small details that made it so much longer than it needed to be.
February 16, 2024
I don't always give my books stars, but this was such a surprising conclusion to the story of the Loring twins and the Goblin King (even for me while writing it)! Plus, the cover art is worthy of five stars alone--so atmospheric and vibrant. <3
September 27, 2025
Escritura preciosisima, mundo de fantasia atrapante, protagonistas complejas y con un buen desarollo
Pero no puedo creer que lei casi 400 paginas para ver a Nix y Clarrey amarse libremente sin presiones y lo unico que tuve es una sugerencia sexual en el epilogo
Punto menos por eso
Pero no puedo creer que lei casi 400 paginas para ver a Nix y Clarrey amarse libremente sin presiones y lo unico que tuve es una sugerencia sexual en el epilogo
Punto menos por eso
July 21, 2024
This was cool. Might have been a five star if I had the context of the first book
October 13, 2024
Narrated by Nix Loring and her twin Lark, the two sisters are trying to keep Scourge from becoming the Goblin King.
November 20, 2024
I personally enjoyed the first one more, but it's a solid, pretty unique duology overall.
March 18, 2025
I think I hate it. Will expand later
September 28, 2025
a pleasing albeit fast ending to a duology I truly enjoyed,I hope now to maybe see a ten years later sequel series
not much in the way of particularly adult content.
not much in the way of particularly adult content.
December 23, 2025
I probably would have enjoyed this more if I read the first one. That was my mistake. I mixed up which one was supposed to be first. 3 stars
September 4, 2024
This is a sequel! Which I didn’t know when I read it. That being said, after a chapter or two I was totally and fully invested without reading the first book. I wouldn’t recommend reading it the way I did— because when referenced things in the past I kept thinking “it would be so cool to read some of that stuff!” Uh, yeah. It would have. 🤦♀️😂 Anyway, I’ll read it. But I didn’t realize I was missing it till 1/3 in. 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, it is a very interesting fantasy novel that bleeds with our world. I love the twins and the tone of the book. The lore is interesting, and the way it resolves is satisfying. Definitely worth a read!
Anyway, it is a very interesting fantasy novel that bleeds with our world. I love the twins and the tone of the book. The lore is interesting, and the way it resolves is satisfying. Definitely worth a read!
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