luanagomes's reviews
1022 reviews

The second installment of The nightingale and the falcon trilogy was even better than the firstbook, and i am impressed.

On the first book we follow the Mongol expansion wars led by Hulagu Khan, and how his hunger for power leads to such destruction that calls the attention of powerful magic entities, the Kozan.
Now , in book 2, Hulagu armies are struggling, and his ruthlessness is becoming a liability among allies. His opponents are getting stronger, and the Kozan, an ancient force of magic, are meddling on both sides of history. Hulagu son, Temujin, is now a Kozan, but is he going to help further his father ambitions or curb them? Are the rebels ready to help the lesser evil of the two, when the time comes?

I gotta say I like this book even more than the fisrt one. In this new installment, we can see the stakes are getting higher at each turn, and some of the caracters are just showing their true colors. I enjoyed seeing some of the old protagonists back on track, and how some secondary ones suddenly shifted sides, leaving all much more interesting. The political intrigue and the war preparation, which was a plus for me on the first book, are still here, and going strong. The fantasy elements are still minimal, but well placed, and i got used to it after the first book.
The final scene was unexpected but set the tone for what comes next on the final book, and i am looking forward to it !

thank you Angry robot for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

This was bad. The idea was good, but the execution...
Too many plot holes, useless repetitions, could use a lot of editing. 
Felt like there was some IA in parts - clunky movements, repetitions, scenes that do not match. 

This book is such a crazy ride, i loved it.

In this post apocaliptic NYC, where a toxic gas isolated Manhattan from the rest of the world, lots of things are unfolding. The first thing we learn is that a  gang leader was killed inside its fortress, and that might set the city are on the brink of war; A sheriff, called Gillian is appointed to investigate whats happening, trying to avoid the worst, but can she do it?

Better yet,  does she want it?

And thats all you really know.
The book just toss you in the middle of the action, and we learn how everything works on the go, which can be difficult for most readers. I actually love this kind of approach. You realize that in this verson of New york, the borroughs functions like gangs, and each has its own style, speech and motto. The people are diferent, mutated somehow by the island isolation, and that brings an advantage... maybe?

We have way too many POVs, one crazier than the last, that gives us this fast pace movie feel that leaves us kinda dizzy. There is political intrigue and backstabbing galore, and a full war by the end of the story. As we go along with the main characters, we learn their true motivations and desires, which leads to some interesting  twists and turns.

This book is weird, and i really enjoy weird books, so plot+ reading experience made this a 5 star read. I liked the style so much i am looking fot other Polansky's book to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing me with this ARC