What do you think?
Rate this book
The Unwanteds Quests #6
Dragon Slayers
Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond Artimé in the sixth novel in the New York Times bestselling sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called “ The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”
The Revinir is getting desperate.
Following her dramatic abduction of Fifer and Thisbe, the dragon woman traps the twins in an isolated, crumbling palace and surrounds them with four killer dragons in an attempt to coerce them to join her side. Hope finally arrives when Dev sneaks into the castle and the threesome reunites, hatching a plan against the Revinir so devious, so horrifying, that it just might work. But when it comes time to act, Thisbe struggles to confront her deepest fears about her inner levels of good and evil and, to her own dismay, questions if she’s really been on the right side all along.
In Artimé, Rohan and Queen Maiven join forces with Aaron, Florence, and the others to discover the truth of what happened to the twins. But when Fifer sends a devastating message that challenges everything they believe in, Rohan attempts to handle the situation on his own...with disastrous results.
The Revinir is getting desperate.
Following her dramatic abduction of Fifer and Thisbe, the dragon woman traps the twins in an isolated, crumbling palace and surrounds them with four killer dragons in an attempt to coerce them to join her side. Hope finally arrives when Dev sneaks into the castle and the threesome reunites, hatching a plan against the Revinir so devious, so horrifying, that it just might work. But when it comes time to act, Thisbe struggles to confront her deepest fears about her inner levels of good and evil and, to her own dismay, questions if she’s really been on the right side all along.
In Artimé, Rohan and Queen Maiven join forces with Aaron, Florence, and the others to discover the truth of what happened to the twins. But when Fifer sends a devastating message that challenges everything they believe in, Rohan attempts to handle the situation on his own...with disastrous results.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2020
About the author
Lisa McMann
69 books7,057 followersLisa McMann lives and writes in the Phoenix area. Her newest middle grade fantasy series is called The Forgotten Five. Book one, Map of Flames, was an instant NYT bestseller. It's about five supernatural kids, raised in a deserted hideout, who enter civilization for the first time to search for a hidden stash left behind by their missing, criminal parents.
Book two, The Invisible Spy, is on sale now! Book three, Rebel Undercover, is coming summer 2023, and book 4 will be out in spring of 2024.
Also out now: CLARICE THE BRAVE. It's a story of hope against all odds, about sibling mice who get separated in a mutiny and vow to find one another again.
Lisa's other books include the NYT bestselling THE UNWANTEDS and UNWANTEDS QUESTS series, the GOING WILD trilogy, the YA paranormal WAKE trilogy, the VISIONS trilogy, CRYER'S CROSS, DEAD TO YOU, and INFINITY RING: The Trap Door.
See what's new and where Lisa will be at her
LinkTree.
You can find more info at Lisa'a website, lisamcmann.com, interact with her on Facebook or Twitter, or ask questions on her Instagram.
Book two, The Invisible Spy, is on sale now! Book three, Rebel Undercover, is coming summer 2023, and book 4 will be out in spring of 2024.
Also out now: CLARICE THE BRAVE. It's a story of hope against all odds, about sibling mice who get separated in a mutiny and vow to find one another again.
Lisa's other books include the NYT bestselling THE UNWANTEDS and UNWANTEDS QUESTS series, the GOING WILD trilogy, the YA paranormal WAKE trilogy, the VISIONS trilogy, CRYER'S CROSS, DEAD TO YOU, and INFINITY RING: The Trap Door.
See what's new and where Lisa will be at her
LinkTree.
You can find more info at Lisa'a website, lisamcmann.com, interact with her on Facebook or Twitter, or ask questions on her Instagram.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
September 26, 2020
Ok - THIS one is my favorite of the series. I loved Thisbe’s growth as a leader and how she and Fifer finally reconnected. Having Dev back in the main storyline made me happy, and watching the change his character has gone through is promising. Can’t wait for the final book of this fabulous world.
January 14, 2026
The intensity of this book! The character come together and some split from the others for very good reason but unable to tell any one of the plan. And then the thing that some thought couldn’t happen actually happened changing the life of another forever.
July 22, 2025
Great addition to the series. Lisa McMann is the queen of cliffhangers, that’s for sure!
September 29, 2020
Thisbe and Fifer's quest continues. After being kidnapped by the Rivinir, they end up in an isolated castle. They're reunited with Dev and the three work together to create a risky plan to defeat her. The pace is a bit slow in this volume and I'm not fond of the romantic overtones for the young twins. However, these characters have certainly been forced to grow up quicker than many young teens. McMann continues to build this world and weave the lands together for the final battle to come in the next volume.
October 20, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. I cannot wait to read the final book in the series and find out how this wonderful series ends. I have followed this series since the beginning in The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann many years ago.
April 30, 2022
4.5 stars
IM SO SAD THAT (not going to say what happened) :(
This book was really exciting! ((I say, as it takes me 17 days (too long) to read this book))
IM SO SAD THAT (not going to say what happened) :(
This book was really exciting! ((I say, as it takes me 17 days (too long) to read this book))
July 31, 2023
I think Dragon Slayers was the best book in the whole Unwanteds Quests series. I felt like it finally lived up to the Unwanteds series. I really enjoyed The Unwanteds but I really felt like The Unwanteds Quests wasn't really fitting in, until, THIS BOOK. I loved the action and the feel of it. :)
December 14, 2025
2 🌟 I definitely could have lived without this spin off series but all overall it was a pretty good young teen, tween series.
July 18, 2021
A very satisfying continuation of Unwanteds series. It seems through most of the book that it would be the last. However, it ends with a giant cliff hanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2020
Wow. Just wow. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions.
I will say, I can’t wait to see how the last book ends with this new twist that we got towards the end involving the Revinir. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 30 pages.
While I did like this book, there was some stuff that I also didn’t like. I mean, sometimes you get that with books though. I will say, I did enjoy the chapters with Thisbe and the Revinir. We got to know a little more about her past as well. Whenever Thisbe called her Emma I WAS LIKE “YO THISBE CHILL WITH YOUR ROASTING!” I absolutely enjoyed it.
I really hope though that Dev and Fifer stay just friends though. The book was building up to maybe something more between them, but to be honest, I’d like them only as friends and not a couple. Also, I’m not a huge fan of Thisbe and Rohan personally. They’re just alright to me I guess.
I hope in the next book Seth really gets a moment to shine. That boy is precious and deserves to get that moment in the last book to really just steal the show.
Florence in this was an absolute QUEEN! She’s honestly the strongest warrior there ever was. If I’m honest, so many people are like “Simber is my favorite all the way”, but to me, I think I love Florence a little more. Whoa, unpopular opinion! It’s true though. She’s absolutely amazing and so strong.
ALSO AARON BETTER BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE FINAL BLOW TO THE REVINIR IF SHE DIES IN FURY (which I hope she does tbh)! First Alex and now Ishibashi. No, I refuse the idea of this man NOT being filled with rage and wanting revenge. Aaron better kill her if she does die. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk lol.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Do I think it kind of had a little bit of “this is the second to last book” type of situation going on? Also yes. I think the whole book was building up to the water twist though. I can’t wait to see what Lisa has in store for the last Quests book come February!
I will say, I can’t wait to see how the last book ends with this new twist that we got towards the end involving the Revinir. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 30 pages.
While I did like this book, there was some stuff that I also didn’t like. I mean, sometimes you get that with books though. I will say, I did enjoy the chapters with Thisbe and the Revinir. We got to know a little more about her past as well. Whenever Thisbe called her Emma I WAS LIKE “YO THISBE CHILL WITH YOUR ROASTING!” I absolutely enjoyed it.
I really hope though that Dev and Fifer stay just friends though. The book was building up to maybe something more between them, but to be honest, I’d like them only as friends and not a couple. Also, I’m not a huge fan of Thisbe and Rohan personally. They’re just alright to me I guess.
I hope in the next book Seth really gets a moment to shine. That boy is precious and deserves to get that moment in the last book to really just steal the show.
Florence in this was an absolute QUEEN! She’s honestly the strongest warrior there ever was. If I’m honest, so many people are like “Simber is my favorite all the way”, but to me, I think I love Florence a little more. Whoa, unpopular opinion! It’s true though. She’s absolutely amazing and so strong.
ALSO AARON BETTER BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE FINAL BLOW TO THE REVINIR IF SHE DIES IN FURY (which I hope she does tbh)! First Alex and now Ishibashi. No, I refuse the idea of this man NOT being filled with rage and wanting revenge. Aaron better kill her if she does die. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk lol.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Do I think it kind of had a little bit of “this is the second to last book” type of situation going on? Also yes. I think the whole book was building up to the water twist though. I can’t wait to see what Lisa has in store for the last Quests book come February!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2020
While I’ve thus far loathed this series. I can admit when a book is good and this one has kept me fairly enraptured in spite of my lingering disappointments of Lisa McMann’s addition the world of Artimere and Quill.
I don’t seems to hate either of the girls as much. How can I when their character growth is actually legitimate. When you ‘humanize’ the girls they...can be tolerable.
Rohan in my opinion was such a clingy obsessed dude. Scarily so. I mean I loved him. But as a 14 year old boy. Like those feelings he is feeling for his pria aren’t healthy. For either of them.
Dev’s character is lovable despite his ‘flaws’ which makes him more appealing than others such as Samheed who have flaws but are just so irritable that you can’t stomach them as individuals.
Aaron got his ‘spotlight’ moment which was kind of nice. I also appreciate him FINALLY mentioning some semblance of Alex. I mean they are twins and like you’d think he’d be a bit more distraught. I know he died like thousands of pages ago but for me Alex is just the one mistake that will forever make this series unredeemable in my eyes.
It’s the twins fault that he’s dead and I refuse to believe anything else.
But overall this one was definitely light years ahead of the others. Especially the last one. But don’t get me wrong. I’m happy this series is coming to a close. Give Alex’s name and Aaron’s soul a rest will you McMann?
I don’t seems to hate either of the girls as much. How can I when their character growth is actually legitimate. When you ‘humanize’ the girls they...can be tolerable.
Rohan in my opinion was such a clingy obsessed dude. Scarily so. I mean I loved him. But as a 14 year old boy. Like those feelings he is feeling for his pria aren’t healthy. For either of them.
Dev’s character is lovable despite his ‘flaws’ which makes him more appealing than others such as Samheed who have flaws but are just so irritable that you can’t stomach them as individuals.
Aaron got his ‘spotlight’ moment which was kind of nice. I also appreciate him FINALLY mentioning some semblance of Alex. I mean they are twins and like you’d think he’d be a bit more distraught. I know he died like thousands of pages ago but for me Alex is just the one mistake that will forever make this series unredeemable in my eyes.
It’s the twins fault that he’s dead and I refuse to believe anything else.
But overall this one was definitely light years ahead of the others. Especially the last one. But don’t get me wrong. I’m happy this series is coming to a close. Give Alex’s name and Aaron’s soul a rest will you McMann?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2020
Reunited after being captured by the Revinir, Dev aids Fifer and Thisbe in creating a plan to finally bring her down - but when it requires Thisbe to fake the ultimate betrayal to those she loves, will she have the power to hold out...or finally give into the same darkness that swallowed her enemy? McMann takes readers on an emotional ride that will keep eyes glued to the pages with every twist and turn. Even if she succeeds, will Thisbe have a home to return to, or will her family and friends give up on her forever?
September 17, 2020
A fast read with lots of action and story development. I enjoyed reading the dilemma Thisbe dealt with as well as when she met up with Rohan. Glad there’s another installment coming in the series. I’m intrigued to see what type of revenge the Revinir comes up with on the next book.
April 12, 2022
Much better! Best book in the series so far. Still not as good as some of the original artime books, but way better than the other books in this series. Some twists and turns that you may not see coming and definitely can throw you for a loop. The emotional turmoil though is hard at times.
February 3, 2025
Excellent read. Our heroines have split up as one is a prisoner, and the other joins the villain in her plot for ultimate rule. But with everyone devastated with the news of betrayal, they don't know what is really occurring.
September 28, 2020
I said this about the last one, but this was my favourite quest book so far
October 3, 2020
Wow. The character growth of the main characters was amazing, especially for us old-timers in this world. I badly want book #14 but am also terrified for it. Remember "Don't Die"
October 27, 2020
Honestly, these books are beginning to feel rushed. This should have really been a 5 book series tops. No character development and everything just feels forced.
January 24, 2021
Well that was a really interesting turn of events, wasn't it?
Excited to see how the last book of the series will turn out!
Excited to see how the last book of the series will turn out!
February 1, 2021
I am really glad I held off on reading this until the final book was out! I enjoyed it, but waiting to find out what happened would have driven me nuts!
February 18, 2021
Excellent continuation of the series!
August 17, 2021
You'll feel the entire range of human emotions reading these books. I want to give McMann both a slap and high-five for all she's put me through.
September 15, 2021
Wonderful. Sad that this was the second to last book.
September 20, 2023
I'm eager to see how the series ends.
September 23, 2023
This book was really good! A bit long, but I didnt have a hard time getting through it. :)
September 30, 2020
PHENOMENAL ONCE AGAIN!!! ALL MY LOVE!!! EPIC, FANTASTIC, EMOTIONAL!!!!
After the renivir captured Thisbe and Fifer, she dumped them on the roof of Ashguards' palace!!
-in Artimé, Florence, together with her team, is training everyone from the 7 islands.
-Dev, who is lost and alone found the palace and the dragons guarding it, but he hadn't sees Fifer!!
-after recovering from their fall, Fifer tells Thisbe the truth about requesting NOT coming to safe them!! Argument leads to Thisbe ROARING!!! she alerted the dragons but also DEV!!! He went into the castle and found Fier!!!! and later THISBE!!! SOOO EMOTIONAL REUNION!!! THEY HADN'T ABANDONED HIM!!!
-fifer proposed a plan: have Thisbe pretend joining the Renivir, because that's what she needs in order to have full control over the dragons, or so she thinks, becauss she doesn't know that Queen Maiven was the chosen by the land of the dragons!!
In order to let the plan succeed, thisbe has to out her actjng skills to the test and find the Renivir's weaknesses.
Hower, they can't let their friends know it's all fake!!!! THEY WILL THINK SHE BETRAYED THEM IN THE WORST POSSIBLE WAY!!! ROHAN WILL BE ABSOLUTELY CRUSED!!! but for the greater good, thisbe agrees.
In Artimé, Rohan writes an EMOTIONAL LETTER to thisbe, about his mother and the parents of all the black-eyes people, were being forced to kipnap her mother Nadia!!! Also the most romantic and emotional declaration : "my father only had eyes for my mother. He looked at her like her eyes were a portal to a heavenly place. He stroked her cheek and whispered, “I love you, pria.”
That is where the word originates in my mind. The love between my parents. When I saw the way Sky spoke about Alex, it reminded me of that kind of love. The kind that lasts a lifetime and beyond. I guess you know it means so much to me to use that word for you." THE FEELS OMG!!!
-fifer and thisbe train their new telepathie power, teach Dev magic and dev makes weapons of branches, Fifer and Dev grow closer!!!!
-thisbe goes to the renivir and fifer sends the spell to Florence, they don't believe her obliviously, but they still come, because they could be in danger- Rohab is MORE THAN HEARTBROKEN!!!
-the dragons KILLED FIFER'S BIRDS!!! They have to warn the others!!! Now, they will meet in the cavelands
-thisbe has the renivir under her thumb, SHE IS GENIUS!!! but also struggles with her evil side, "what if I secretly WANT to join the renivir?..." through out thr story this is an important dilemma for Thisbe!!!
Dev tries to communicate with the dragons, like thisbe but after his roar, HE GOT TOASTED!!! he tried to PROTECT FIFER!!!
-fifer finds the Obligate spell, thisbe hid in her robs!!
-Florence and the team got Fifer's message, she fights the red dragons, but was KNOCKED OFF HER DRAGON AND BROKE INTO THOUSAND PIECES!! OMG NO WAY!!!
Rohan and Maiven go to Thisbe on Quinn!!!
-Rohan was caught by the Renivir!!!! thisbe has to LIE AND BREAK HIS HEART!!! DEVASTATED SCENE!!! I CAN'T!!!
-Rohan drank the Dragon broth and is under the Renivir mindcontrol!!! NOOO ROHAN!!!
-Thisbe is completely lost, but after the Renivir is gone, he demand an explanation!! HE WAS PRETENDING!!! HE DRANK ANCIENT BROTH!!! THANK GOD!!!!
-At last he figured it out!!!EMOTIONAL SCENE!!!!He's going to help Thisbe!!!!
-Thisbe agrees to announce their partnership, because she has to end her, (but thisbe got a glimpse of emma, the girl behind the monster....) -conflicted
-BATTLE WITH THE DRAGONS!!! dev and Fifer fight them, fifer resurrects Florence!!!! BUT GOT SERVERY HURT!!! Dev tried to get to her, but was almosy KILLED!!!!
-aaron blames himself for thisbe turning evil... he goes with Ishi on the ghostdragon to the Dragons marche were the announcement will be. EMOTIONAL SCENE!!!
-after the announcement nothing happens, Rohan suggests to go to the caveland.
-they find Thisbe and The renivir- SAD SCENE!!!! -thisbe decides she has to take action, she throws the obliterate spell, BUT MISSES!!!! HUGE FIGHT!!! Ishi GOT TORCHED!!! OMG NOOO I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! DEVASTATED SCENE!!!!
-thisbe and Rohan are on the run from the renivir
-fifer and dev are severely injured and the renivir knows about the betrayel!!!
- the last word of the book is 'water' WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!!!
After the renivir captured Thisbe and Fifer, she dumped them on the roof of Ashguards' palace!!
-in Artimé, Florence, together with her team, is training everyone from the 7 islands.
-Dev, who is lost and alone found the palace and the dragons guarding it, but he hadn't sees Fifer!!
-after recovering from their fall, Fifer tells Thisbe the truth about requesting NOT coming to safe them!! Argument leads to Thisbe ROARING!!! she alerted the dragons but also DEV!!! He went into the castle and found Fier!!!! and later THISBE!!! SOOO EMOTIONAL REUNION!!! THEY HADN'T ABANDONED HIM!!!
-fifer proposed a plan: have Thisbe pretend joining the Renivir, because that's what she needs in order to have full control over the dragons, or so she thinks, becauss she doesn't know that Queen Maiven was the chosen by the land of the dragons!!
In order to let the plan succeed, thisbe has to out her actjng skills to the test and find the Renivir's weaknesses.
Hower, they can't let their friends know it's all fake!!!! THEY WILL THINK SHE BETRAYED THEM IN THE WORST POSSIBLE WAY!!! ROHAN WILL BE ABSOLUTELY CRUSED!!! but for the greater good, thisbe agrees.
In Artimé, Rohan writes an EMOTIONAL LETTER to thisbe, about his mother and the parents of all the black-eyes people, were being forced to kipnap her mother Nadia!!! Also the most romantic and emotional declaration : "my father only had eyes for my mother. He looked at her like her eyes were a portal to a heavenly place. He stroked her cheek and whispered, “I love you, pria.”
That is where the word originates in my mind. The love between my parents. When I saw the way Sky spoke about Alex, it reminded me of that kind of love. The kind that lasts a lifetime and beyond. I guess you know it means so much to me to use that word for you." THE FEELS OMG!!!
-fifer and thisbe train their new telepathie power, teach Dev magic and dev makes weapons of branches, Fifer and Dev grow closer!!!!
-thisbe goes to the renivir and fifer sends the spell to Florence, they don't believe her obliviously, but they still come, because they could be in danger- Rohab is MORE THAN HEARTBROKEN!!!
-the dragons KILLED FIFER'S BIRDS!!! They have to warn the others!!! Now, they will meet in the cavelands
-thisbe has the renivir under her thumb, SHE IS GENIUS!!! but also struggles with her evil side, "what if I secretly WANT to join the renivir?..." through out thr story this is an important dilemma for Thisbe!!!
Dev tries to communicate with the dragons, like thisbe but after his roar, HE GOT TOASTED!!! he tried to PROTECT FIFER!!!
-fifer finds the Obligate spell, thisbe hid in her robs!!
-Florence and the team got Fifer's message, she fights the red dragons, but was KNOCKED OFF HER DRAGON AND BROKE INTO THOUSAND PIECES!! OMG NO WAY!!!
Rohan and Maiven go to Thisbe on Quinn!!!
-Rohan was caught by the Renivir!!!! thisbe has to LIE AND BREAK HIS HEART!!! DEVASTATED SCENE!!! I CAN'T!!!
-Rohan drank the Dragon broth and is under the Renivir mindcontrol!!! NOOO ROHAN!!!
-Thisbe is completely lost, but after the Renivir is gone, he demand an explanation!! HE WAS PRETENDING!!! HE DRANK ANCIENT BROTH!!! THANK GOD!!!!
-At last he figured it out!!!EMOTIONAL SCENE!!!!He's going to help Thisbe!!!!
-Thisbe agrees to announce their partnership, because she has to end her, (but thisbe got a glimpse of emma, the girl behind the monster....) -conflicted
-BATTLE WITH THE DRAGONS!!! dev and Fifer fight them, fifer resurrects Florence!!!! BUT GOT SERVERY HURT!!! Dev tried to get to her, but was almosy KILLED!!!!
-aaron blames himself for thisbe turning evil... he goes with Ishi on the ghostdragon to the Dragons marche were the announcement will be. EMOTIONAL SCENE!!!
-after the announcement nothing happens, Rohan suggests to go to the caveland.
-they find Thisbe and The renivir- SAD SCENE!!!! -thisbe decides she has to take action, she throws the obliterate spell, BUT MISSES!!!! HUGE FIGHT!!! Ishi GOT TORCHED!!! OMG NOOO I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! DEVASTATED SCENE!!!!
-thisbe and Rohan are on the run from the renivir
-fifer and dev are severely injured and the renivir knows about the betrayel!!!
- the last word of the book is 'water' WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2021
I am the Revinir, and my plans to rule the Seven Islands and get my revenge against the Stowes is almost complete. The only thing left is for Thisbe Stowe to join me in ruling the lands. I can't get all of the dragons and citizens to willfully obey me without her help. Of course, she's making demands before she'll agree to my terms, but that's just what I'd expect from a girl who's mostly evil. I suppose I'll eventually agree to her demands, since I'll just throw her in the dungeons after our partnership is announced. However, I don't fully trust her. I can't understand what she's thinking like I can with everyone else in Grimere, and she's tricked me before. I've been watching her carefully, and I've tried to detect any lies she might be telling. I feel confident I can trust her this time, and I'll soon have all the power I've ever wanted.
You need to read the series from the beginning, and you might even want to go back and read the previous series, The Unwanteds, too. This book was the easiest to follow, since it focused solely on the battle with the Revinir. It included a select group of characters, whereas most of the earlier books included casts of dozens. Thisbe took the greatest risk and evoked the greatest emotions. Trying to fool the Revinir was almost an impossible task, and there was no magic or weapon that could hurt her. Thisbe had a devastating secret weapon, and it seemed clear she'd eventually use it at the climax of the plot. However, would the weapon even work on the Revinir? Would the Revinir figure out Thisbe's deceit before Thisbe had a chance to do something? Would Thisbe's feelings of empathy create a change in plans? These questions created increasing suspense as D-Day grew nearer and kept the story engaging. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend you give the series a shot. I'm assuming this book's sequel will bring the series to an end, as all of the pieces seem to be falling into place.
You need to read the series from the beginning, and you might even want to go back and read the previous series, The Unwanteds, too. This book was the easiest to follow, since it focused solely on the battle with the Revinir. It included a select group of characters, whereas most of the earlier books included casts of dozens. Thisbe took the greatest risk and evoked the greatest emotions. Trying to fool the Revinir was almost an impossible task, and there was no magic or weapon that could hurt her. Thisbe had a devastating secret weapon, and it seemed clear she'd eventually use it at the climax of the plot. However, would the weapon even work on the Revinir? Would the Revinir figure out Thisbe's deceit before Thisbe had a chance to do something? Would Thisbe's feelings of empathy create a change in plans? These questions created increasing suspense as D-Day grew nearer and kept the story engaging. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend you give the series a shot. I'm assuming this book's sequel will bring the series to an end, as all of the pieces seem to be falling into place.
September 17, 2020
There were quite a lot of things I enjoyed from this book! The Thisbe/Eagala dynamic has always captured my interest and even reminds me of the Marcus/Alex one in a darker way. It was interesting to see them build up a bond-of-sorts. Additionally, I loved Aaron in this book and I really felt for him at the end of the story. I’ve also got to mention that the new canon coupling of Asha and Clementi has got to be my favorite in the series thus far. I love them so much! Finally, the lore was absolutely awesome! Though, I think Thisbe must have forgotten about Justine’s black eyes, as there’s a scene where Thisbe says something about Eagala not having black-eyed ancestry. Now, I’m going to dish into the things I didn’t really like.
I don’t really like Thisbe/Rohan due to the age gap (since he’s apparently turning 15 soon and Thisbe just turned 13 in Curse) and I also find their dynamic a bit creepy? It seems off to me that Rohan talks about them having some sort of “electric connection” even though they are literal children. Furthermore, Rohan is made into Thisbe’s “servant” in this book, which made me feel very uncomfortable. He also calls Thisbe’s biological grandmother his own “grandmum”, which again, made me feel weird about the pairing.
I also hope Fifer and Dev stay as platonic friends. It seemed like her asexual-spec identity disappeared just so that she could be put in a relationship. I’d love to see a book with a single MC!
Also, it was a bit sad to me that Fifer is still head mage since it falls a bit into a negative disabled character stereotype. (Giving a disabled character’s role to an abled one) I would have loved to see Lani taking on that role instead.
Overall, I’d probably rank it as 3.5-3.7/5 as there were many things I liked, but there were also things that held the book back from its full potential.
I don’t really like Thisbe/Rohan due to the age gap (since he’s apparently turning 15 soon and Thisbe just turned 13 in Curse) and I also find their dynamic a bit creepy? It seems off to me that Rohan talks about them having some sort of “electric connection” even though they are literal children. Furthermore, Rohan is made into Thisbe’s “servant” in this book, which made me feel very uncomfortable. He also calls Thisbe’s biological grandmother his own “grandmum”, which again, made me feel weird about the pairing.
I also hope Fifer and Dev stay as platonic friends. It seemed like her asexual-spec identity disappeared just so that she could be put in a relationship. I’d love to see a book with a single MC!
Also, it was a bit sad to me that Fifer is still head mage since it falls a bit into a negative disabled character stereotype. (Giving a disabled character’s role to an abled one) I would have loved to see Lani taking on that role instead.
Overall, I’d probably rank it as 3.5-3.7/5 as there were many things I liked, but there were also things that held the book back from its full potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
Thisbe och Fifer har blivit kidnappade av the Revenir och blivit dumpade i ett gammalt slott som är vaktat av drakar. Hoppet är ute. Eller det är så det känns fram tills Dev smiter in och joinar dem. Och det är då Fifer kommer på den, planen som en gång för alla kan störta the Revenir och bringa fred. Men, planen är inte simpel och kommer kräva uppoffringar, svek och enorm tur för att lyckas.
Medan det känns som att allt börjar dra ihop sig och saker börjar hända så kändes boken samtidigt lite som en filler, speciellt början. Och jag har nog en gång för alla kommit fram till att Lisas stil inte är min grej och det är nog bara att acceptera (det gör det hela lite sorgligt eftersom jag tycker storyn är väldigt bra! Om de mot förmodan skulle göra en film/serie av serien så skulle jag helt klart se den).
Men det jag faktiskt tyckte om väldigt mycket var interaktionerna mellan Thisbe och Rohan när de återförenades i the Revenirs palats. Jag får lite Percabeth-känsla över det hela, inte för att någon av dem är det minsta lika varandra utan för att det på något sätt är fint hur deras relation sakta växt fram. Det är också något man får ge Lisa, hon låter karaktärerna vara sin ålder, inte små vuxna. Men, det blir ju lite frustrerande när även de vuxna beter sig som barn.
Jag är också lite frusterad över slut-cliffhangern. Det är inte något jag kommer sakna när jag har avslutat sista boken.
Medan det känns som att allt börjar dra ihop sig och saker börjar hända så kändes boken samtidigt lite som en filler, speciellt början. Och jag har nog en gång för alla kommit fram till att Lisas stil inte är min grej och det är nog bara att acceptera (det gör det hela lite sorgligt eftersom jag tycker storyn är väldigt bra! Om de mot förmodan skulle göra en film/serie av serien så skulle jag helt klart se den).
Men det jag faktiskt tyckte om väldigt mycket var interaktionerna mellan Thisbe och Rohan när de återförenades i the Revenirs palats. Jag får lite Percabeth-känsla över det hela, inte för att någon av dem är det minsta lika varandra utan för att det på något sätt är fint hur deras relation sakta växt fram. Det är också något man får ge Lisa, hon låter karaktärerna vara sin ålder, inte små vuxna. Men, det blir ju lite frustrerande när även de vuxna beter sig som barn.
Jag är också lite frusterad över slut-cliffhangern. Det är inte något jag kommer sakna när jag har avslutat sista boken.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2023
Well, I found out waaaay too late into reading this book why it didn’t make a whole lot of sense from a worldbuilding perspective: it’s very, very far away from being the first book in the series. I was lost in some places, especially where I needed additional characterization.
One of the things I liked about the book was its play on the traditional D&D style alignment system and how it’s all garbage. Thisbe was always worried about her inner goodness and evil levels, and that was interesting.
The spy element of this, however, was a little boring for me. Thisbe never acted when I thought she should act, and when she decided to reveal herself, I found the timing to be really off. I also thought the “adult party” back home who were watching out for Thisbe and Fifer were simultaneously not insightful at all and too insightful. This combination made the spy element even worse, because it indicated the good guys had all the intelligence on their side and the bad guys were just losers to begin with.
I liked the Revinir, and I guess I had to trust the good guys’ propaganda that she was all bad. But that was the thing: there was a lot of good guy propaganda going on, I would have liked to seen a bit more nuance. Still, it was obviously a YA book, and I guess I’ll forgive it for being simple.
One of the things I liked about the book was its play on the traditional D&D style alignment system and how it’s all garbage. Thisbe was always worried about her inner goodness and evil levels, and that was interesting.
The spy element of this, however, was a little boring for me. Thisbe never acted when I thought she should act, and when she decided to reveal herself, I found the timing to be really off. I also thought the “adult party” back home who were watching out for Thisbe and Fifer were simultaneously not insightful at all and too insightful. This combination made the spy element even worse, because it indicated the good guys had all the intelligence on their side and the bad guys were just losers to begin with.
I liked the Revinir, and I guess I had to trust the good guys’ propaganda that she was all bad. But that was the thing: there was a lot of good guy propaganda going on, I would have liked to seen a bit more nuance. Still, it was obviously a YA book, and I guess I’ll forgive it for being simple.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews