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Beasts Made of Night #2
Crown of Thunder
In the sequel to the acclaimed Beasts Made of Night, Taj has escaped Kos, but Queen Karima will go to any means necessary--including using the most deadly magic--to track him down.
Taj is headed west, but the consequences of leaving Kos behind confront him at every turn. Innocent civilians flee to refugee camps as Karima's dark magic continues to descend on the city. Taj must return, but first he needs a plan.
With Arzu's help, Taj and Aliya make it to the village of her ancestors, home of the tastahlik--sin-eaters with Taj's same ability to both battle and call forth sins. As Taj comes to terms with his new magic, he realizes there are two very different groups of tastahlik--one using their powers for good, the other for more selfish ends.
Aliya is struggling with her own unique capabilities. She's immersed in her work to uncover the secret to Karima's magic, but her health begins to mysteriously deteriorate. With the help of a local western mage, Aliya uncovers her true destiny--a future she's not sure she wants.
As Taj and Aliya explore their feelings for each other and Arzu connects with her homeland, the local westerners begin to question Taj's true identity. Karima is on his heels, sending dark warnings to the little village where he's hiding. Taj will have to go back and face her before she sends her most deadly weapon--Taj's former best friend, Bo.
Taj is headed west, but the consequences of leaving Kos behind confront him at every turn. Innocent civilians flee to refugee camps as Karima's dark magic continues to descend on the city. Taj must return, but first he needs a plan.
With Arzu's help, Taj and Aliya make it to the village of her ancestors, home of the tastahlik--sin-eaters with Taj's same ability to both battle and call forth sins. As Taj comes to terms with his new magic, he realizes there are two very different groups of tastahlik--one using their powers for good, the other for more selfish ends.
Aliya is struggling with her own unique capabilities. She's immersed in her work to uncover the secret to Karima's magic, but her health begins to mysteriously deteriorate. With the help of a local western mage, Aliya uncovers her true destiny--a future she's not sure she wants.
As Taj and Aliya explore their feelings for each other and Arzu connects with her homeland, the local westerners begin to question Taj's true identity. Karima is on his heels, sending dark warnings to the little village where he's hiding. Taj will have to go back and face her before she sends her most deadly weapon--Taj's former best friend, Bo.
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First published October 16, 2018
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About the author
Tochi Onyebuchi
92 books1,347 followersTochi Onyebuchi is the author of Beasts Made of Night, its sequel Crown of Thunder, War Girls, and Riot Baby, published by Tor.com in January 2020. He has graduated from Yale University, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Columbia Law School, and L’institut d’études politiques with a Masters degree in Global Business Law.
His short fiction has appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction, Omenana, Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America, and elsewhere. His non-fiction has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Nowhere Magazine, Tor.com and the Harvard Journal of African-American Public Policy. He is the winner of the Ilube Nommo Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel by an African and has appeared in Locus Magazine's Recommended Reading list.
Born in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut, Tochi is a consummate New Englander, preferring the way the tree leaves turn the color of fire on I-84 to mosquitoes and being able to boil eggs on pavement. He has worked in criminal justice, the tech industry, and immigration law, and prays every day for a new album from System of a Down.
His short fiction has appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction, Omenana, Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America, and elsewhere. His non-fiction has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Nowhere Magazine, Tor.com and the Harvard Journal of African-American Public Policy. He is the winner of the Ilube Nommo Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel by an African and has appeared in Locus Magazine's Recommended Reading list.
Born in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut, Tochi is a consummate New Englander, preferring the way the tree leaves turn the color of fire on I-84 to mosquitoes and being able to boil eggs on pavement. He has worked in criminal justice, the tech industry, and immigration law, and prays every day for a new album from System of a Down.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
March 27, 2019
I absolutely loved this book!
December 28, 2018
So, I'm going to be brutally honest here. I rushed through this book. I felt like if I didn't I would be bored to tears and not finish it. Even when I only had 20 pages to go at the end, I found my attention wandering and thought that doing some chores would be better.
For a while, it felt like each chapter introduced a new character that was integral to the plot for like, 1 chapter. They even brought back a character from the first book who I never even remembered being mentioned. It just felt so forced. There were sections of the book where I wondered if anyone had edited the book at all. The conclusion I came to was "Probably not."
The ending was so totally unsatisfactory that I was mad at myself for finishing it. Again, I caught myself thinking that this would make a much better tv adaptation than a novel.
I never really felt myself connect with the main character. Taj is kind of a fuckboy to be honest. He is so awesome and amazing that all of the aki look up to him and give him nicknames related to epic poems that he can't be bothered to remember. He already gets so much credit that he passes off credit for everything else to his bestie, Bo (who totally gets the novel equivalent of martyrdom for no apparent reason.) He pisses and moans constantly about how shitty the aki are treated in Kos, but when he gets out in the world and see that this is not the case worldwide, he is in continual disbelief and keeps doing these gut-punches talking about how it used to be. He also has this massive chip on his shoulder about who he is despite the fact that he sees how his aki peers see him. He is actually the most static main character that I have ever seen in my life. He doesn't really change, he just gains new abilities. Bo basically bails him out in the end.
SPOILERS BELOW
Not only that but it almost seems as though the entire part of the text taking place in Juba's village was totally unnecessary to the main story line. Again, seems like it would make sense if there was some sort of character revelation that he went through, but all that really happens there is Aliyah and Taj both gain new abilities. And then we gain a new villain in Abeo who is immediately defeated right after he takes over. The fact that at the end Aliyah made a big deal out of Karima not being killed for her sins after Aliyah literally burned Abeo to death because he tried to overthrow the government in a small village was the worst kind of hypocrisy and totally ruined any affection I had for her character (which is truly sad because her character was almost kickass.)
By the end, the only character I half cared about was Arzu and she was basically written out of any valid role during the end battle due to some never explained major wound. I mean, up until the end she was a major player in both books and all of a sudden someone carries her in, covered in blood, and piffity poof, oh well, no end scene for you. Oh no wait, my bad, almost as an afterthought, she gets a 12 line reunion with her mom on the second to last page (oh by the way, her mom gets reintroduced as an actual person 2 chapters beforehand as a GearHead [also wtf is the deal with the gearheads and all of the cyborg tech that has no real explanation or part in the text until Arzu's mom turns out to be a gearhead]).
Like I continually say, this is like he was trying to pitch an idea for a tv show in novel form. The concept is great, and I would probably watch it (until Taj gets too irritating to be tolerable.) Unfortunately, the books just blow.
For a while, it felt like each chapter introduced a new character that was integral to the plot for like, 1 chapter. They even brought back a character from the first book who I never even remembered being mentioned. It just felt so forced. There were sections of the book where I wondered if anyone had edited the book at all. The conclusion I came to was "Probably not."
The ending was so totally unsatisfactory that I was mad at myself for finishing it. Again, I caught myself thinking that this would make a much better tv adaptation than a novel.
I never really felt myself connect with the main character. Taj is kind of a fuckboy to be honest. He is so awesome and amazing that all of the aki look up to him and give him nicknames related to epic poems that he can't be bothered to remember. He already gets so much credit that he passes off credit for everything else to his bestie, Bo (who totally gets the novel equivalent of martyrdom for no apparent reason.) He pisses and moans constantly about how shitty the aki are treated in Kos, but when he gets out in the world and see that this is not the case worldwide, he is in continual disbelief and keeps doing these gut-punches talking about how it used to be. He also has this massive chip on his shoulder about who he is despite the fact that he sees how his aki peers see him. He is actually the most static main character that I have ever seen in my life. He doesn't really change, he just gains new abilities. Bo basically bails him out in the end.
SPOILERS BELOW
Not only that but it almost seems as though the entire part of the text taking place in Juba's village was totally unnecessary to the main story line. Again, seems like it would make sense if there was some sort of character revelation that he went through, but all that really happens there is Aliyah and Taj both gain new abilities. And then we gain a new villain in Abeo who is immediately defeated right after he takes over. The fact that at the end Aliyah made a big deal out of Karima not being killed for her sins after Aliyah literally burned Abeo to death because he tried to overthrow the government in a small village was the worst kind of hypocrisy and totally ruined any affection I had for her character (which is truly sad because her character was almost kickass.)
By the end, the only character I half cared about was Arzu and she was basically written out of any valid role during the end battle due to some never explained major wound. I mean, up until the end she was a major player in both books and all of a sudden someone carries her in, covered in blood, and piffity poof, oh well, no end scene for you. Oh no wait, my bad, almost as an afterthought, she gets a 12 line reunion with her mom on the second to last page (oh by the way, her mom gets reintroduced as an actual person 2 chapters beforehand as a GearHead [also wtf is the deal with the gearheads and all of the cyborg tech that has no real explanation or part in the text until Arzu's mom turns out to be a gearhead]).
Like I continually say, this is like he was trying to pitch an idea for a tv show in novel form. The concept is great, and I would probably watch it (until Taj gets too irritating to be tolerable.) Unfortunately, the books just blow.
October 26, 2019
Man I love audiobooks!
Crown of Thunder was so freaking good! I don't know why I took a mini break between books 1 and 2 but I am happy that I found time to sneak it in this month! I love everything about Taj's new journey in this book! Of course I felt for him when he was going through his downward spiral of leaving Kos but HEY the grass was bound to be greener on the other side - right?
Enter Aliya! Ahhhh I loved her so much! There was something mysterious about her and I think that's why Taj (and I) were so drawn to her. I couldn't help but ship these two together as well. They definitely questioned one another but then found a way to work through things together.
Besides romancing being in the air, this book definitely upped it's game on the action. I honestly enjoy every page this narrator read to me because the journey was non-stop fun. I will admit, however, that the ending came rather quickly to me. Maybe it's because I was enjoying everything so much that I wasn't expecting it to end so soon. But yeah, it did and I was a little said when I realized that the audio was over.
Now I have no idea what to do with my life because there's no more books! I want more - of course - but I guess I will have to see what else Tochi has written.
Crown of Thunder was so freaking good! I don't know why I took a mini break between books 1 and 2 but I am happy that I found time to sneak it in this month! I love everything about Taj's new journey in this book! Of course I felt for him when he was going through his downward spiral of leaving Kos but HEY the grass was bound to be greener on the other side - right?
Enter Aliya! Ahhhh I loved her so much! There was something mysterious about her and I think that's why Taj (and I) were so drawn to her. I couldn't help but ship these two together as well. They definitely questioned one another but then found a way to work through things together.
Besides romancing being in the air, this book definitely upped it's game on the action. I honestly enjoy every page this narrator read to me because the journey was non-stop fun. I will admit, however, that the ending came rather quickly to me. Maybe it's because I was enjoying everything so much that I wasn't expecting it to end so soon. But yeah, it did and I was a little said when I realized that the audio was over.
Now I have no idea what to do with my life because there's no more books! I want more - of course - but I guess I will have to see what else Tochi has written.
March 16, 2022
Hoy por fin os traigo mi opinión sobre “Corona de trueno”, la segunda y última parte de la bilogía “Bestias de la noche ”.
Al ser una segunda parte no voy a dejar la sinopsis para no caer en ningún spoiler innecesario, y por lo tanto la reseña tampoco va a incidir en muchas cosas, solo pondré en rasgos generales lo que me ha parecido.
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🦁 Estamos ante una segunda parte que empieza lenta (demasiado para mi gusto) pero va cogiendo ritmo conforme pasas las páginas. Coge tanto ritmo que he sentido que el final ha sido muy precipitado, he necesitado algo más de explicación.
🦁 El mundo que ha creado el autor me parece oro, como ya conté en la reseña de la primera parte, el hecho de que los pecados de la gente se conviertan en bestias que unos pocos tienen que matar para acabar con ellos me parece alucinante. La magia que se trata en estos libros es de diez.
🦁 Como he dicho antes, un mundo maravilloso pero poco explotado, creo que el autor tenía un diamante en su mente y no acabó de pulirlo.
🦁 Si algo se destaca en estos libros, bajo mi punto de vista, son los personajes. Creo que todos tienen mucha profundidad, están muy bien construidos y en ningún momento caen en contradicciones. Y los que salen nuevos en esta segunda parte son 😍
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En definitiva, ha sido una bilogía de la que he disfrutado y recomiendo, pero de la que me esperaba un poquito más.
Fantasía en estado puro, pero una fantasía que no se parece en nada a otras que he leído y eso me ha sorprendido para bien.
Al ser una segunda parte no voy a dejar la sinopsis para no caer en ningún spoiler innecesario, y por lo tanto la reseña tampoco va a incidir en muchas cosas, solo pondré en rasgos generales lo que me ha parecido.
-------
🦁 Estamos ante una segunda parte que empieza lenta (demasiado para mi gusto) pero va cogiendo ritmo conforme pasas las páginas. Coge tanto ritmo que he sentido que el final ha sido muy precipitado, he necesitado algo más de explicación.
🦁 El mundo que ha creado el autor me parece oro, como ya conté en la reseña de la primera parte, el hecho de que los pecados de la gente se conviertan en bestias que unos pocos tienen que matar para acabar con ellos me parece alucinante. La magia que se trata en estos libros es de diez.
🦁 Como he dicho antes, un mundo maravilloso pero poco explotado, creo que el autor tenía un diamante en su mente y no acabó de pulirlo.
🦁 Si algo se destaca en estos libros, bajo mi punto de vista, son los personajes. Creo que todos tienen mucha profundidad, están muy bien construidos y en ningún momento caen en contradicciones. Y los que salen nuevos en esta segunda parte son 😍
------
En definitiva, ha sido una bilogía de la que he disfrutado y recomiendo, pero de la que me esperaba un poquito más.
Fantasía en estado puro, pero una fantasía que no se parece en nada a otras que he leído y eso me ha sorprendido para bien.
July 9, 2020
Grand in scope, and but with plenty of little, wonderful, personal moments, Tochi Onyebuchi's conclusion to the fascinating story he began in Beasts Made of Night was worth the trip. I loved the idea of sin beasts, and mages, and the sin spot markings on the skin, and the world he created for this tale. Taj grows a lot over the course of these two books into someone pretty great, and I absolutely loved Aliya and her ability to create algebraic proofs for so many things, and her humour and strength. This was a good finish to this duology.
July 12, 2019
Corona de trueno ha sido una secuela y final de bilogía que ha estado muy en la línea del primero: con ambientación e idea fenomenales pero un desarrollo argumental que, desgraciadamente, no ha terminado de convencerme.
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
June 2, 2018
I liked book 1 well enough...I liked this one more. I would say it's 3.5-4 stars...but...
The one niggling thing that keeps me from just full out loving both of these is the habit of having a very tiny moment (like 2 seconds on the page) be something that is then referenced later in the book (repeatedly) as actually having been a very big moment.
I don't want to further explain without being super spoilerific. But think of when you've seen a movie, and there's a scene at the end where the characters act like something really big happened earlier--and you think "was there an earlier scene cut that would have made that moment seem meaningful?" That's how some of the stuff feels here.
OK OK I'll try to think of an example (I'm at work and both books are at home)...so in the first book, the kid, Omar I think his name is, is only with Taj for a very very very few scenes. But when he reflects back on Omar in the 2nd book, it sounds as if Omar was a major character in book 1, as if they had shared soooooo many moments together. Does that make sense?
Anyway, it's a tick this author seems to have quite a few times in both books and every time it popped me out of the narrative.
OTOH, I really enjoyed this book and saw a lot of growth from book 1. I *think* it is just a duo and not a trilogy. But either way I'll definitely be looking to read more from him!!
The one niggling thing that keeps me from just full out loving both of these is the habit of having a very tiny moment (like 2 seconds on the page) be something that is then referenced later in the book (repeatedly) as actually having been a very big moment.
I don't want to further explain without being super spoilerific. But think of when you've seen a movie, and there's a scene at the end where the characters act like something really big happened earlier--and you think "was there an earlier scene cut that would have made that moment seem meaningful?" That's how some of the stuff feels here.
OK OK I'll try to think of an example (I'm at work and both books are at home)...so in the first book, the kid, Omar I think his name is, is only with Taj for a very very very few scenes. But when he reflects back on Omar in the 2nd book, it sounds as if Omar was a major character in book 1, as if they had shared soooooo many moments together. Does that make sense?
Anyway, it's a tick this author seems to have quite a few times in both books and every time it popped me out of the narrative.
OTOH, I really enjoyed this book and saw a lot of growth from book 1. I *think* it is just a duo and not a trilogy. But either way I'll definitely be looking to read more from him!!
April 25, 2022
I had very high expectations for this going in to it after loving the first book so very much. It didn’t fully live up to my high expectations but it was still a fabulous read anyways. I just thought the ending was SO rushed and sudden, it felt like the author went oh shit only 10 pages left, gotta end it quick. Which was quite disappointing because the story is just so stunning and interesting and to then cut it so abruptly was sad. I still highly recommend this little duology, we need more beautiful Nigerian fantasy like this one. Exploring a stunningly dark story and a wonderful culture all at once was just wonderful and minus my small complaints I loved it so much.
April 8, 2019
Esperaba que esta segunda parte mejorase el recuerdo que tenía de la primera, pero no ha sido así: aunque la premisa me sigue pareciendo genial, así como la ambientación, el desarrollo y los personajes no me han terminado de convencer :c
December 1, 2019
BOOK TWO:
And people wonder why fantasy books need to be very, very carefully written and often are very long, or there's a lot of books to the series. Cramming so much information into two books sometimes struggles to work.
After reading the second book, I can now add the following to what I said about the author's voice and style of writing. This does indeed read like a large fairy-tale, filled to the brim with mystery and magic. There's a reason for everything, and an ending that doesn't necessarily wrap up every single solitary thing. So those readers who like their books to be nicely wrapped up and good to go... don't read this series, it'll drive you nuts and leave you wanting to slam a low rating on it.
The characters continue to build throughout this book and many of the mysteries slowly reveal their truths as you continue to read. This is NOT a fast-paced read, but it does lull its way into your heart, if you sit and savor.
I found a few things about structure that should have been edited out more and a few questionable oops, but they were small in their importance to the story and more annoying than anything else. The author does have an interesting story-telling capability and I will look for future work.
And people wonder why fantasy books need to be very, very carefully written and often are very long, or there's a lot of books to the series. Cramming so much information into two books sometimes struggles to work.
After reading the second book, I can now add the following to what I said about the author's voice and style of writing. This does indeed read like a large fairy-tale, filled to the brim with mystery and magic. There's a reason for everything, and an ending that doesn't necessarily wrap up every single solitary thing. So those readers who like their books to be nicely wrapped up and good to go... don't read this series, it'll drive you nuts and leave you wanting to slam a low rating on it.
The characters continue to build throughout this book and many of the mysteries slowly reveal their truths as you continue to read. This is NOT a fast-paced read, but it does lull its way into your heart, if you sit and savor.
I found a few things about structure that should have been edited out more and a few questionable oops, but they were small in their importance to the story and more annoying than anything else. The author does have an interesting story-telling capability and I will look for future work.
March 10, 2020
Well. I don’t know if this would’ve been better had I read it right after I finished the first or not. I just never felt like I got into the story here. I ended up continuing to dislike Taj, increasing as the story went on. I still liked Aliya and felt she was a strong character, but it just wasn’t enough. I was very happy to find out rather quickly that Arzu was still alive(which it turns out I could’ve found out just by reading the book summary lol), as she remains my favorite character, but I felt like she got basically zero storyline and hers was what I was most interested in. I could’ve read an entire book more about her and her background. . And then the gearheads? What the heck was that about randomly appearing in the story? And not explained at all really. Weird. Then there’s Bo. As we knew at the end of the last book he’s turned team Evil by Karima, and spends this book getting worse.
The resolution seemed rushed near the end, but by that point I was basically rushing to finish and move on. I wish I liked this book more but unfortunately it just never kept my interest.
The resolution seemed rushed near the end, but by that point I was basically rushing to finish and move on. I wish I liked this book more but unfortunately it just never kept my interest.
January 5, 2019
Yet another book that has taken me over two weeks to read, simply because I just didn't feel like reading it. When work gets stressful and it's Summer (impossible to sleep) I just never feel like reading much for some reason. I need to lock myself away in cool air like I did today just to get things finished!
I really did enjoy the first book, but this one felt a little bogged down. Full of action, sure, but it was almost too much action? or at least too many fight scenes. I felt like the writing was clunky too, and I ended up lost in too many characters/unfamiliar words to keep track of what everything was. I did want to know what happened though, and I was invested in Taj's story. I just didn't always understand it!
All in all, this is a solid duology and one that is set in a fascinating magical world that I wouldn't mind reading more from. Three stars.
I really did enjoy the first book, but this one felt a little bogged down. Full of action, sure, but it was almost too much action? or at least too many fight scenes. I felt like the writing was clunky too, and I ended up lost in too many characters/unfamiliar words to keep track of what everything was. I did want to know what happened though, and I was invested in Taj's story. I just didn't always understand it!
All in all, this is a solid duology and one that is set in a fascinating magical world that I wouldn't mind reading more from. Three stars.
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February 15, 2019Gracias Tochi por todas las respuestas a mis dudas existenciales en torno a tu historia.
Me queda claro que esta historia pudo dar para mucho más y profundizar en varios temas fantásticos ya que el tema de la cultura africana y el racismo lo supo manejar muy bien, las razones por las cuales eso sigue siendo innecesario en la vida de los humanos y tan difícil de erradicar es perturbador.
En cuento a los personajes quiero recalcar a Karima, que pese a que su participación es escasa, resulta una voraz dentro de los hechos, me atrevo a compararla con la villana de Crónicas Lunares, del estilo donde tan solo mencionar su nombre es plena destrucción. Me encantaron las referencias y la importancia matemática en la vida, es como dar una vuelta a cómo se veían las cosas por ahí de los primero filósofos y no dejo de mencionar que tiene un final muy bonito y esperanzador.
Me queda claro que esta historia pudo dar para mucho más y profundizar en varios temas fantásticos ya que el tema de la cultura africana y el racismo lo supo manejar muy bien, las razones por las cuales eso sigue siendo innecesario en la vida de los humanos y tan difícil de erradicar es perturbador.
En cuento a los personajes quiero recalcar a Karima, que pese a que su participación es escasa, resulta una voraz dentro de los hechos, me atrevo a compararla con la villana de Crónicas Lunares, del estilo donde tan solo mencionar su nombre es plena destrucción. Me encantaron las referencias y la importancia matemática en la vida, es como dar una vuelta a cómo se veían las cosas por ahí de los primero filósofos y no dejo de mencionar que tiene un final muy bonito y esperanzador.
July 7, 2019
I read Beasts Made of Night and did not enjoy it. But I wanted to give Onyebuchi another shot, since first books tend to be rough. Unfortunately this book suffers from the same frustrating lack of depth and clunky narration. I wish it was good! The creatures are very cool and they deserved a more robust story.
August 14, 2019
Me da la sensación de que la prosa del autor o su forma de narrar mejoró bastante en esta segunda parte. Sin embargo, se me hizo algo más caótica que la primera. No me gustó tanto el viaje que hace Taj, entiendo lo que aprendió de él y su utilidad, pero sentí que fue demasiado largo y por momento perdíamos el foco del problema (Karima en Koz). Luego, vuelven rápidamente y tenemos la pelea en las últimas 20 páginas.
Me gustó el tema del equilibrio, el perdón y la culpa. Me encantó cómo trató el tema, y la importancia del perdón más allá de que no exista culpa por parte del otro lado. Aprecio mucho cuando un libro tiene un mensaje así de potente en medio de su historia.
Admito que me confundí un poco con los personajes porque no los recordaba tanto (salvo los más importante), así que ciertos personajes que aparecían u otros que morían no me afectaban tanto. Por lo mismo me costó tomarle el ritmo porque había olvidado la trama y toda la jerga propia de este mundo.
Es un buen final de la historia, aunque creo que podría haber sido un solo libro pero más largo. Mucho de este libro se centraba en cosas que no tenían más peso. Sin embargo, la construcción del mundo es buena y diferente de otras que he leído; Taj es un buen personaje, algo cliché, pero no molesta; me gusta la diversidad en razas que tiene y que tome base de otra cultura.
Me gustó el tema del equilibrio, el perdón y la culpa. Me encantó cómo trató el tema, y la importancia del perdón más allá de que no exista culpa por parte del otro lado. Aprecio mucho cuando un libro tiene un mensaje así de potente en medio de su historia.
Admito que me confundí un poco con los personajes porque no los recordaba tanto (salvo los más importante), así que ciertos personajes que aparecían u otros que morían no me afectaban tanto. Por lo mismo me costó tomarle el ritmo porque había olvidado la trama y toda la jerga propia de este mundo.
Es un buen final de la historia, aunque creo que podría haber sido un solo libro pero más largo. Mucho de este libro se centraba en cosas que no tenían más peso. Sin embargo, la construcción del mundo es buena y diferente de otras que he leído; Taj es un buen personaje, algo cliché, pero no molesta; me gusta la diversidad en razas que tiene y que tome base de otra cultura.
November 25, 2025
"I want to feel as though I'm running toward something instead of running away."
This book was bad. I was so bored, and if it would have been any longer, I definitely wouldn't have finished it. None of the sub-plots/side quests had any relevance to the main plot, and the main plot was wrapped up so quickly (how did the final battle take place in the final 10 pages, and why was there no resolution at the end of said final battle?). I feel like this author's writing style just isn't for me.
This book was bad. I was so bored, and if it would have been any longer, I definitely wouldn't have finished it. None of the sub-plots/side quests had any relevance to the main plot, and the main plot was wrapped up so quickly (how did the final battle take place in the final 10 pages, and why was there no resolution at the end of said final battle?). I feel like this author's writing style just isn't for me.
April 4, 2021
I had a really difficult time stating focused and interested in this audio book. The narrator was perfect for it, but despite that I tuned out alot. My rating isn't necessarily a reflection on the cast of character, plot or setting. The premise of "sin eating" was interesting in and of itself.
January 2, 2025
This was a great black fantasy series. For anyone who is new to fantasy and wants something short but with a world you can get immersed in I would say this is a great pick. The way I teared up twice in this book is crazy. We need more fantasy duologies out there!!
February 24, 2021
This is the second in a Nigerian fantasy series. In this book, Taj comes to understand his powers as a tastahlik - one who can summon and eat sin beasts. This story also delves more into the romantic feelings between Taj and Aliya and the theme of guilt.
February 28, 2022
first things first: I'm sorry but taj is so dumb. like he is an absolute idiot. I’ll put a list just bc there’s so much.
1. why didn’t he warn everyone bo was coming? like told straight up tells him to run and save the village, and instead he ignores tolu and guess what happens?? everyone dies because of his negligence, yay taj 🤡
2. why not turn yourself over to bo when he asks? his sense of self-importance is so exaggerated. like everyone would be fine without you, just turn yourself over instead of letting this whole village be destroyed. he even admits that all these other ppl like juba would easily be willing to sacrifice themselves, but oh noo, taj is just so important to the revolution 🙄
3. why did he trust bo again so easily?? like this is a mass murderer how do u forgive him just like that and let him bring you back to the palace as a prisoner with knowledge of all your plans 🤨
4. you see a body under a blanket with hair like aliya’s and you immediately assume she’s dead, and go as far as to tell everyone that… ig he was kind of right but she was most definitely not dead…
not to mention the pacing in this… like someone would be gravely injured, barely able to move then in the next scene they’re fighting for their lives… successfully. idk abt realism but i want whatever these guys are having.
despite the absolutely ridiculous pacing in this book and the astronomical amount of fight scenes, it was pretty good entertainment, and managed to be sufficiently enjoyable and emotional even with all its flaws.
other notes:
- i was so mad at how fast bo's redemption was and how quickly it was resolved, it made no sense by the end of the story and was never explained
- istg the author doesn’t know what a mathematical proof is. he kept saying aliya would “make a proof of [blank],” as if a proof was proving that an object is real. maybe i’m the wrong one here, but wouldn’t it make more sense to write a proof for something?? idk maybe he’s right i just felt like he was talking abt math and equations in a way that made no sense to me whatsoever lmaoo
- the themes of the story and taj's character development didn’t feel like it had a clear direction: one minute he had sin lust and a complex relationship with violence, the next he was making the sin beasts go poof with no problem. not to mention, he really likes fighting and talked about what a strong aki he was but it kinda seemed like literally everyone else was a better fighter than him. lowkey feel like everyone praised him for surviving for a long time and he just got cocky
- the end of the book was so rushed??? like what happened to karima?? no conclusion or epilogue so we have no idea what happened to the characters smh
1. why didn’t he warn everyone bo was coming? like told straight up tells him to run and save the village, and instead he ignores tolu and guess what happens?? everyone dies because of his negligence, yay taj 🤡
2. why not turn yourself over to bo when he asks? his sense of self-importance is so exaggerated. like everyone would be fine without you, just turn yourself over instead of letting this whole village be destroyed. he even admits that all these other ppl like juba would easily be willing to sacrifice themselves, but oh noo, taj is just so important to the revolution 🙄
3. why did he trust bo again so easily?? like this is a mass murderer how do u forgive him just like that and let him bring you back to the palace as a prisoner with knowledge of all your plans 🤨
4. you see a body under a blanket with hair like aliya’s and you immediately assume she’s dead, and go as far as to tell everyone that… ig he was kind of right but she was most definitely not dead…
not to mention the pacing in this… like someone would be gravely injured, barely able to move then in the next scene they’re fighting for their lives… successfully. idk abt realism but i want whatever these guys are having.
despite the absolutely ridiculous pacing in this book and the astronomical amount of fight scenes, it was pretty good entertainment, and managed to be sufficiently enjoyable and emotional even with all its flaws.
other notes:
- i was so mad at how fast bo's redemption was and how quickly it was resolved, it made no sense by the end of the story and was never explained
- istg the author doesn’t know what a mathematical proof is. he kept saying aliya would “make a proof of [blank],” as if a proof was proving that an object is real. maybe i’m the wrong one here, but wouldn’t it make more sense to write a proof for something?? idk maybe he’s right i just felt like he was talking abt math and equations in a way that made no sense to me whatsoever lmaoo
- the themes of the story and taj's character development didn’t feel like it had a clear direction: one minute he had sin lust and a complex relationship with violence, the next he was making the sin beasts go poof with no problem. not to mention, he really likes fighting and talked about what a strong aki he was but it kinda seemed like literally everyone else was a better fighter than him. lowkey feel like everyone praised him for surviving for a long time and he just got cocky
- the end of the book was so rushed??? like what happened to karima?? no conclusion or epilogue so we have no idea what happened to the characters smh
October 1, 2018
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Razorbill/Penguin. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 16th, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, romance, slight mature scenes, sins, and slight gore)
Pages: 336
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Taj is headed west, but the consequences of leaving Kos behind confront him at every turn. Innocent civilians flee to refugee camps as Karima's dark magic continues to descend on the city. Taj must return, but first he needs a plan.
With Arzu's help, Taj and Aliya make it to the village of her ancestors, home of the tastahlik—sin-eaters with Taj's same ability to both battle and call forth sins. As Taj comes to terms with his new magic, he realizes there are two very different groups of tastahlik—one using their powers for good, the other for more selfish ends.
Aliya is struggling with her own unique capabilities. She's immersed in her work to uncover the secret to Karima's magic, but her health begins to mysteriously deteriorate. With the help of a local western mage, Aliya uncovers her true destiny—a future she's not sure she wants.
As Taj and Aliya explore their feelings for each other and Arzu connects with her homeland, the local westerners begin to question Taj's true identity. Karima is on his heels, sending dark warnings to the little village where he's hiding. Taj will have to go back and face her before she sends her mostly deadly weapon—Taj's former best friend, Bo.
I felt like for a sequel this book was well done. The writing was still as strong as it was in the first book and the plot was so interesting. I liked the relationships that were explored in this book and I liked how the characters are more developed in this book. I feel that this was a solid book and I would love to see more of this series.
However, I do feel that the ending was very rushed and it felt that there were things that were left unsaid. Some of the parts of this book could have used a bit more fleshing out. I also feel that this book had some continuality issues. It felt that there were some parts of this book that didn’t seem to line up with the first book.
Verdict: Overall, I think this is a solid read and the series is fantastic despite my nitpicking. Definitely pick up book 1 and 2 this Halloween season!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 16th, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, romance, slight mature scenes, sins, and slight gore)
Pages: 336
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Taj is headed west, but the consequences of leaving Kos behind confront him at every turn. Innocent civilians flee to refugee camps as Karima's dark magic continues to descend on the city. Taj must return, but first he needs a plan.
With Arzu's help, Taj and Aliya make it to the village of her ancestors, home of the tastahlik—sin-eaters with Taj's same ability to both battle and call forth sins. As Taj comes to terms with his new magic, he realizes there are two very different groups of tastahlik—one using their powers for good, the other for more selfish ends.
Aliya is struggling with her own unique capabilities. She's immersed in her work to uncover the secret to Karima's magic, but her health begins to mysteriously deteriorate. With the help of a local western mage, Aliya uncovers her true destiny—a future she's not sure she wants.
As Taj and Aliya explore their feelings for each other and Arzu connects with her homeland, the local westerners begin to question Taj's true identity. Karima is on his heels, sending dark warnings to the little village where he's hiding. Taj will have to go back and face her before she sends her mostly deadly weapon—Taj's former best friend, Bo.
I felt like for a sequel this book was well done. The writing was still as strong as it was in the first book and the plot was so interesting. I liked the relationships that were explored in this book and I liked how the characters are more developed in this book. I feel that this was a solid book and I would love to see more of this series.
However, I do feel that the ending was very rushed and it felt that there were things that were left unsaid. Some of the parts of this book could have used a bit more fleshing out. I also feel that this book had some continuality issues. It felt that there were some parts of this book that didn’t seem to line up with the first book.
Verdict: Overall, I think this is a solid read and the series is fantastic despite my nitpicking. Definitely pick up book 1 and 2 this Halloween season!
October 17, 2018
'Crown of Thunder' is the fascinating and unique sequel to 'Beasts Made of Night'. The two together create a wholly original and highly imaginative series that fans of YA fantasy are definitely going to want to pick up. I personally flew through both of these books, one right after the other, in about 2 days. From the very beginning of this beautifully told story, I was enchanted and sucked into Taj's world. The author writes with such vivid imagery and detailed descriptions that I could easily picture myself alongside Taj in this dark world he lives in. Everything came to life before my eyes, which is kind of unusual for me to get so submersed in a world that I have no sort of connection with.
I loved Taj as the main character. He grows and matures so much in the story, and it really shows at the end of the book. I thought he was brave, smart, courageous, but also had flaws that made him realistic and easy to identify with as well. The secondary characters like Aliya, Bo, Arzu, and even Queen Karima were also well rounded and complex, which made them feel realistic to me as well. The plot was intricately woven and filled with action and even a bit of romance. I couldn't help but fall inside the story and couldn't stop reading until I had finished the book. I loved the ideas of the Sin-Eaters, the inisisa, the aki and so much else was utterly fascinating to me and I greatly enjoyed learning about all of it. I could definitely read more in this series, but I'm not sure if the author is going to be doing any more installments. I very highly recommend this book to fans of YA, fantasy, paranormal, and even dystopia and romance - there's a bit of something for everyone.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Taj as the main character. He grows and matures so much in the story, and it really shows at the end of the book. I thought he was brave, smart, courageous, but also had flaws that made him realistic and easy to identify with as well. The secondary characters like Aliya, Bo, Arzu, and even Queen Karima were also well rounded and complex, which made them feel realistic to me as well. The plot was intricately woven and filled with action and even a bit of romance. I couldn't help but fall inside the story and couldn't stop reading until I had finished the book. I loved the ideas of the Sin-Eaters, the inisisa, the aki and so much else was utterly fascinating to me and I greatly enjoyed learning about all of it. I could definitely read more in this series, but I'm not sure if the author is going to be doing any more installments. I very highly recommend this book to fans of YA, fantasy, paranormal, and even dystopia and romance - there's a bit of something for everyone.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2019
No sé ni cómo describir la decepción que sufrí al leer este libro.
Todo comenzó con un protagonista egocéntrico, tonto e inmaduro que no dio el ancho como protagonista. Luego continuó con escenas decepcionantes y no muy bien descritas, para terminar con un final feliz cliché y que solo cumplió con lo mínimo.
Es impresionante la manera en la que, en mi opinión, el autor desperdició una historia creativa, la estructura que terminó con esta secuela carece de dedicación, como si el autor hubiera querido terminarlo lo más pronto posible para entregarlo y que se lo publicaran. Por supuesto, carezco de información al respecto, no sé si sea verdad la impresión que me dio, pero tan solo el hecho de causarme esa impresión es suficiente para decir que el autor lo pudo hacer mucho, mucho mejor; tenía las herramientas necesarias para sacarle jugo a su mundo.
Corona de trueno, junto con su antecesor Bestias de la noche, quedan en el olvido de mis lecturas. Gracias a esta segunda y última parte que no fue más que una secuela pobre, para mi.
Todo comenzó con un protagonista egocéntrico, tonto e inmaduro que no dio el ancho como protagonista. Luego continuó con escenas decepcionantes y no muy bien descritas, para terminar con un final feliz cliché y que solo cumplió con lo mínimo.
Es impresionante la manera en la que, en mi opinión, el autor desperdició una historia creativa, la estructura que terminó con esta secuela carece de dedicación, como si el autor hubiera querido terminarlo lo más pronto posible para entregarlo y que se lo publicaran. Por supuesto, carezco de información al respecto, no sé si sea verdad la impresión que me dio, pero tan solo el hecho de causarme esa impresión es suficiente para decir que el autor lo pudo hacer mucho, mucho mejor; tenía las herramientas necesarias para sacarle jugo a su mundo.
Corona de trueno, junto con su antecesor Bestias de la noche, quedan en el olvido de mis lecturas. Gracias a esta segunda y última parte que no fue más que una secuela pobre, para mi.
October 25, 2018
My main issues with the first book were the pacing and the writing, so I was hoping the sequel would be better.
No. It wasn't.
Too many situations were resolved by characters suddenly discovering hidden powers but then a few paragraphs later, the characters go back to acting like they haven't just made this major discovery THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.
This happened so many times in the book that by the end, I was pretty much rolling my eyes. Things get unnecessarily dire because characters forget their special powers, then when people are just about to die, then they suddenly remember their powers and even discover new ones!
The pacing was slightly better than in the first book, but I had a hard time staying interested because most of the "quest" seemed like aimless wandering. And it wasn't clear why anyone wanted Taj so much or why everyone was so invested in protecting him.
No. It wasn't.
Too many situations were resolved by characters suddenly discovering hidden powers but then a few paragraphs later, the characters go back to acting like they haven't just made this major discovery THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.
This happened so many times in the book that by the end, I was pretty much rolling my eyes. Things get unnecessarily dire because characters forget their special powers, then when people are just about to die, then they suddenly remember their powers and even discover new ones!
The pacing was slightly better than in the first book, but I had a hard time staying interested because most of the "quest" seemed like aimless wandering. And it wasn't clear why anyone wanted Taj so much or why everyone was so invested in protecting him.
February 6, 2019
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.
Maybe it's because the set up has been established. Or maybe it's because we've already caught a glimpse of the world and characters but Crown of Thunder was better than Beasts made of Night. I still had a problem with the villains not being properly set up or having any personality or reason other than them being evil (we get yet another new villainous character who like the others is pretty much a cardboard bond villain), and the myriad of secondary characters that more often than not contributed little or nothing to the plot.
But the magic system was more detailed and intricate and algebraic which I enjoyed immensely. The pacing was better than it was in the first book and although the ending was still rushed, there was a better build up and payoff.
Maybe it's because the set up has been established. Or maybe it's because we've already caught a glimpse of the world and characters but Crown of Thunder was better than Beasts made of Night. I still had a problem with the villains not being properly set up or having any personality or reason other than them being evil (we get yet another new villainous character who like the others is pretty much a cardboard bond villain), and the myriad of secondary characters that more often than not contributed little or nothing to the plot.
But the magic system was more detailed and intricate and algebraic which I enjoyed immensely. The pacing was better than it was in the first book and although the ending was still rushed, there was a better build up and payoff.
October 6, 2020
I don’t understand the characters in this book. Big monsters are everywhere, people are dying, there’s a war! And in every chapter they’re feasting and snacking and drinking. There are more important things going on guys.
Literally a big action scene, everyone’s running? They’re scare. Oh crap they may die! The chapter ends with them eating. wtf
This one like the first is jumpy and nothing really happens. The action scenes are great but everything else is boring.
Literally a big action scene, everyone’s running? They’re scare. Oh crap they may die! The chapter ends with them eating. wtf
This one like the first is jumpy and nothing really happens. The action scenes are great but everything else is boring.
January 18, 2021
I am a bit confused...a lot of unanswered questions. I get that the book is about BALANCE and forgiveness but I feel like I didn't get any closure. What happened to Omar and Taj's parents? Will there be another book?
April 7, 2019
Corona de trueno comienza su historia justo después del final de Bestias de la noche, un final que dejaba al lector lleno de preguntas y un gran deseo de saber cómo iba a arreglarse el gran desastre con el que había terminado todo. Si bien en el primer libro la historia transcurría siempre en las inmediaciones de Kos (los distintos barrios y el Palacio), Corona de trueno cambia su escenografía por completo. Nuestro protagonista, Taj, se ve arrastrado a la fuerza de su zona de confort y no le queda más remedio que ver mundo, algo que le cambia la vida.
He disfrutado mucho con la evolución del personaje de Taj y la importancia que cobran otros dos personajes femeninos, Arzu y Aliya, en especial esta última. Además, resulta interesante cómo el autor va cerrando el funcionamiento del mundo mágico que crea: al principio sólo sabemos que los pecados de la gente toman forma de enfermedades y malestar y que los aki son unos jóvenes con la capacidad de devorar estos pecados para sanar a las personas, pero siempre se ven perjudicados al hacerlo, porque cargan con una culpa y un peso que no son suyos, hasta el punto en el que se pierden a sí mismos y son consumidos por los pecados.
Sin embargo, en su aventura Taj descubre que su existencia y la del resto de los aki es mucho más importante de lo que parece, que en su cuerpo también hay lugar para el amor y para el perdón. Que todas las cosas tienen un por qué y la luz y la oscuridad encuentran siempre el equilibrio.
La historia cobra mucha profundidad, así como los personajes que intervienen en ella. Abundan las descripciones, que son de agradecer pero resultan demasiado sobrecargadas en algunas ocasiones. A veces tenía la sensación de que, para contar algo, el autor daba demasiados rodeos.
Creo que la novela tiene un mensaje muy potente para el lector: la dualidad del ser humano. En el libro encontramos a menudo referencias a la luz y la oscuridad, el bien y el mal, el perdón y el pecado. Taj no ve un sólo atisbo de luz en su interior, se siente un extraño para todos los que le rodean y un extraño para sí mismo. Algo que no encaja en ninguna parte y está condenado a la muerte. Pero se va dando cuenta poco a poco de que nadie es completamente bueno o completamente malo, de que las cosas no son blanco o negro. Sólo nosotros tenemos el poder de definir cómo somos realmente, mediante nuestros actos y decisiones; es normal equivocarse, tropezar, caer en la tentación y ser egoístas... pero siempre estará en nuestra mano el poder remediar los errores, levantarnos, pedir perdón y perdonarnos a nosotros mismos.
El final es lo que me ha dejado más indiferente. Está bien cerrado, pero le falta una chispa para ser un buen final para mi gusto.
Recomendado. Corona de trueno es el cierre correcto para una bilogía interesante y original, con un trasfondo muy elaborado y unos personajes muy buenos.
He disfrutado mucho con la evolución del personaje de Taj y la importancia que cobran otros dos personajes femeninos, Arzu y Aliya, en especial esta última. Además, resulta interesante cómo el autor va cerrando el funcionamiento del mundo mágico que crea: al principio sólo sabemos que los pecados de la gente toman forma de enfermedades y malestar y que los aki son unos jóvenes con la capacidad de devorar estos pecados para sanar a las personas, pero siempre se ven perjudicados al hacerlo, porque cargan con una culpa y un peso que no son suyos, hasta el punto en el que se pierden a sí mismos y son consumidos por los pecados.
Sin embargo, en su aventura Taj descubre que su existencia y la del resto de los aki es mucho más importante de lo que parece, que en su cuerpo también hay lugar para el amor y para el perdón. Que todas las cosas tienen un por qué y la luz y la oscuridad encuentran siempre el equilibrio.
La historia cobra mucha profundidad, así como los personajes que intervienen en ella. Abundan las descripciones, que son de agradecer pero resultan demasiado sobrecargadas en algunas ocasiones. A veces tenía la sensación de que, para contar algo, el autor daba demasiados rodeos.
Creo que la novela tiene un mensaje muy potente para el lector: la dualidad del ser humano. En el libro encontramos a menudo referencias a la luz y la oscuridad, el bien y el mal, el perdón y el pecado. Taj no ve un sólo atisbo de luz en su interior, se siente un extraño para todos los que le rodean y un extraño para sí mismo. Algo que no encaja en ninguna parte y está condenado a la muerte. Pero se va dando cuenta poco a poco de que nadie es completamente bueno o completamente malo, de que las cosas no son blanco o negro. Sólo nosotros tenemos el poder de definir cómo somos realmente, mediante nuestros actos y decisiones; es normal equivocarse, tropezar, caer en la tentación y ser egoístas... pero siempre estará en nuestra mano el poder remediar los errores, levantarnos, pedir perdón y perdonarnos a nosotros mismos.
El final es lo que me ha dejado más indiferente. Está bien cerrado, pero le falta una chispa para ser un buen final para mi gusto.
Recomendado. Corona de trueno es el cierre correcto para una bilogía interesante y original, con un trasfondo muy elaborado y unos personajes muy buenos.
April 11, 2019
Reseña completa--> http://bit.ly/2UcMGs4
Frases de Libros---> http://bit.ly/2CigOtm
¿De qué trata este libro? Nos encontramos con un Taj y una Aliya que huyen desesperados del desastre causado por la, ahora, Reina Karima y de la destrucción de su antiguo hogar: Kos. Ayudados por Arzu logran llegar a un poblado donde parecen estar a salvo y donde cada uno de nuestros personajes comenzará a aprender más sobre sus dones y sobre sí mismo, Arzu se reencontrará con su pasado y con un antiguo amor olvidado, Aliya conocerá más sobre el enorme don que tiene y como el Innominado habla a través de ella, incluso a través de su piel y, finalmente, Taj se encontrará con una nueva comunidad donde la gente como el, los Aki o devoradores de pecado, no son temidos y condenados al ostracismo si no que son amados, venerados y respetado. Pero cuando todo comienza a tomar forma el pasado reaparece, Karima les pisa los talones y el antiguo mejor amigo de Taj, Bo, se encuentra a punto de darles alcance. ¿Cómo lograrán salvarse? ¿Cómo alcanzar el perdón y la redención en un mundo lleno de caos, sangre, pecadores y bestias de pecado?
Frases de Libros---> http://bit.ly/2CigOtm
¿De qué trata este libro? Nos encontramos con un Taj y una Aliya que huyen desesperados del desastre causado por la, ahora, Reina Karima y de la destrucción de su antiguo hogar: Kos. Ayudados por Arzu logran llegar a un poblado donde parecen estar a salvo y donde cada uno de nuestros personajes comenzará a aprender más sobre sus dones y sobre sí mismo, Arzu se reencontrará con su pasado y con un antiguo amor olvidado, Aliya conocerá más sobre el enorme don que tiene y como el Innominado habla a través de ella, incluso a través de su piel y, finalmente, Taj se encontrará con una nueva comunidad donde la gente como el, los Aki o devoradores de pecado, no son temidos y condenados al ostracismo si no que son amados, venerados y respetado. Pero cuando todo comienza a tomar forma el pasado reaparece, Karima les pisa los talones y el antiguo mejor amigo de Taj, Bo, se encuentra a punto de darles alcance. ¿Cómo lograrán salvarse? ¿Cómo alcanzar el perdón y la redención en un mundo lleno de caos, sangre, pecadores y bestias de pecado?
December 14, 2018
Listened to the audiobook
This sequel picks up right after the previous book stops—Taj has run away from Kos and wants to undo Karima's destruction and win his friend Bo back. The world-building is as solid, but does not take up the majority of the story. For anyone looking for a more linear read, it is super worth it to stick around for the sequel.
For one, I love these characters. Taj grows up some here, but he has those around him to challenge his impulses. I particularly loved when [redacted] called out to him about the difference between justice, balance, and revenge. It's interactions like this make for deeper and richer interactions, especially with how Beasts Made of Night took its meticulous time with the rest of the world.
As has been my complaint with several reads, the ending kind of happens and there isn't much of a down slope afterwards. I think because this is book 2 and not a midquel, I would have loved a bit longer resolution. Even an epilogue, I think, would have been nice.
A more character-driven adventure in the world of aki and sin beasts, this sequel sticks the landing the climax of the first book.
This sequel picks up right after the previous book stops—Taj has run away from Kos and wants to undo Karima's destruction and win his friend Bo back. The world-building is as solid, but does not take up the majority of the story. For anyone looking for a more linear read, it is super worth it to stick around for the sequel.
For one, I love these characters. Taj grows up some here, but he has those around him to challenge his impulses. I particularly loved when [redacted] called out to him about the difference between justice, balance, and revenge. It's interactions like this make for deeper and richer interactions, especially with how Beasts Made of Night took its meticulous time with the rest of the world.
As has been my complaint with several reads, the ending kind of happens and there isn't much of a down slope afterwards. I think because this is book 2 and not a midquel, I would have loved a bit longer resolution. Even an epilogue, I think, would have been nice.
A more character-driven adventure in the world of aki and sin beasts, this sequel sticks the landing the climax of the first book.
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