This one was hard to rate. Oh, how I wanted to give it 5 stars, how I wanted to unequivocally love it. Sadly, I didn't like it as much as I had hoped.This one was hard to rate. Oh, how I wanted to give it 5 stars, how I wanted to unequivocally love it. Sadly, I didn't like it as much as I had hoped. This book could've been superb, but it didn't seem to aim for that. Overall, I give a 3,5 for the book and a 4,5 for the series as a whole, but I'm rounding it down to a 3 because I don't think it deserves 4 stars.
Let me make it clear, I LOVE this series. When a series I love nears its ending, I always get nervous. I want the author to end it with a book that does justice to the series. My wish was to get more of what made the previous books so great: superb characterization and a great, layered plot; a tentative relationship turning slowly into a beautiful love story, all on a backdrop of lies, schemes and battles- with new surprises and threats around every corner.
Yes, Damen and Laurent are wonderful characters and we got some good quality time with our men and saw their relationship deepen, which was beautiful. But otherwise this book was more... straightforward. The plot seemed simplified, the tactical play only skin deep. It lacked the finesse and nuance the last books had. In stead, in some parts, there was exaggeration to a degree that it became silly ((view spoiler)[Supersoldier Damen who plucks spears out of the air, for instance) (hide spoiler)]), and great emphasis on trivial matters, which seemed to leave less space for the really relevant. And, because of the limited tactical play in this book, sheer luck played a bigger part than it should have.
Another issue was the editing. There were quite some passages that I had to reread in order to get a good layout of the situation. Also: a problem with spacing (paragraphs or dialogue about separate subjects stuck to each other, but that might be a fault in the Kindle version). I'd normally give it a pass, had it not been professionally edited this time, with a generous time schedule.
With all of this said, it might seem like I didn't like this book. But I liked it a lot, even loved it. There were some really great parts. The first 30% is TO DIE FOR. The tension, the dialogues; fun and heartbreaking and intense! It dragged a bit after that and picked up steam past the halfway part. And even though I missed the extra oomph, it was entertaining nonetheless.
The last quarter of the book was excruciating, exciting and frustrating. I could see the issues(view spoiler)[ lack of logic, loyalties swayed too easily, Damien's reclaiming overshadowed by Laurent's trial, a lack of real character development for our heroes, a total lack of character for Kastor, cheesiness (hide spoiler)] but I made myself whistle past the absurdity and randomness. The excitement and emotion overruled everything else. It was the end of a journey with Laurent and Damen, and I really wanted to just soak them up for one last time. *sigh*
All in all, not as good as it could've been, and that makes me sad. ...more
In my review of book #1 I predicted that I would hate this book. I was right, I do. Because the better the book, the harder the wait, so yeah, there yIn my review of book #1 I predicted that I would hate this book. I was right, I do. Because the better the book, the harder the wait, so yeah, there you go: now I'll have to be subjected to an unlimited time of torture; waiting for the third book to come out. Ugh.
This second volume takes us out of the palace walls and into the field. Whereas the first book was more a slave story, this one feels like a historic novel. Loved the attention to detail, loved the atmosphere and the setting. And I loved how the intrigue and the ploys further unraveled. Border conflicts, opposing fractions, violent raiders, aggressive mercenaries... they all have a place in the cat and mouse game between Laurent and the Regent. So does Damen, who, while trying to follow his own plans, is sucked in by the games, the fights—and Laurent.
I loved how these boys—despite their distrust, their hate, their reluctance—slowly, gradually and inevitably grew closer. This was unresolved sexual tension at its best! Which led to beautiful quotes like these: (view spoiler)[
"It felt, in all the lies between them, as if this was the only true thing."(hide spoiler)]
Toreth and Warrick are insatiable and incorrigible. The "I could have lost him", and Dilly's approval (finally!) gave the story that extra spark. Btw:Toreth and Warrick are insatiable and incorrigible. The "I could have lost him", and Dilly's approval (finally!) gave the story that extra spark. Btw: if this is really Dillian's exit, then I'm not getting all the hating.
These kind of little stories are the reason why I really like The Administration. Toreth being in a rare sharing mood and Warrick trying to handle theThese kind of little stories are the reason why I really like The Administration. Toreth being in a rare sharing mood and Warrick trying to handle the now unCaged tiger. Beautiful and painful, and showing the increasing trust and knowledge and attunement of the pair....more
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