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Empress of a Thousand Skies #2
Blood of a Thousand Stars
Empress
With a revolution brewing, Rhee is faced with a choice: make a deal with her enemy, Nero, or denounce him and risk losing her crown.
Fugitive
Framed assassin Alyosha has one goal in mind: kill Nero. But to get his revenge, Aly may have to travel back to the very place he thought he’d left forever—home.
Princess
Kara knows that a single piece of technology located on the uninhabitable planet Wraeta may be the key to remembering—and erasing—the princess she once was.
Madman
Villainous media star Nero is out for blood, and he’ll go to any means necessary to control the galaxy.
Vicious politics and high-stakes action culminate in an epic showdown that will determine the fate of the universe.
With a revolution brewing, Rhee is faced with a choice: make a deal with her enemy, Nero, or denounce him and risk losing her crown.
Fugitive
Framed assassin Alyosha has one goal in mind: kill Nero. But to get his revenge, Aly may have to travel back to the very place he thought he’d left forever—home.
Princess
Kara knows that a single piece of technology located on the uninhabitable planet Wraeta may be the key to remembering—and erasing—the princess she once was.
Madman
Villainous media star Nero is out for blood, and he’ll go to any means necessary to control the galaxy.
Vicious politics and high-stakes action culminate in an epic showdown that will determine the fate of the universe.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2018
86 people are currently reading
4800 people want to read
About the author
Rhoda Belleza
3 books523 followersRhoda Belleza was raised in Los Angeles, where she grew up writing XFiles fanfiction and stuffing her face with avocados. When she's not writing, Rhoda obsesses over nail art tutorials, watches kung fu movies, and sews together crooked things that pass for clothes. She's a children's editor at a publishing house and writes from a sunny Brooklyn apartment stuffed far too many bikes and far too many shoes. Empress of a Thousand Skies is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
April 6, 2018
About: Blood of a Thousand Stars is a young adult fantasy written by Rhoda Belleza. It was recently published on 2/20/18 by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House, paperback, 358 pages. The genres are young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. This book is intended for readers ages 12 and up, grades 7 and up.
My Experience: I started reading Blood of a Thousand Stars on 3/26/18 and finished it on 4/6/18. The final installment of Empress of a Thousand Skies is an excellent read! I love that there are three POVs. I like following Alyosha’s views the most because he has experienced so much in his life. He’s blunt with honesty about what had happened and what he’s left with. He’s so hard on himself when comes to love. He’s so adorable when comes to love too! I like the connection to love & loss between Aly and Rhee. Their realization to the people that are close to them is heartbreaking. The misunderstanding with Kara and Aly is heartbreaking as well. It reminds readers to cherish the time we have with each other because we may not have another chance to say the things we want to say.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Kara (Josselyn (Joss) Ta’an, the lost older sister, Kalu princess) as she and Aly (Alyosha, a Wraetan revolutionary boys that was wanted for murder of princess Rhiannon in book 1) follow Julian to find a way to get in touch with the Lancer (Veyron – Julian’s dad and Rhee’s trainer) to find and destroy the overwriter technology that have the ability to steal, suppress, and alter to create new memory. Another point of view is Rhiannon (Rhee) Ta’an, empress of Kalu. After book 1, she announced to everyone that she’s in fact still alive. She now knows Nero, ambassador to the late King was behind her assassination. He has a large number of followers due to his presences on the DroneVision, a TV personality that citizens love to tune to night after night. Nero stepped in to be King when the planet thought that the last Ta’an heir, Rhee, was killed. Now that Rhee is back and taking back the family’s throne, the homecoming erupted with protests & attacks on neutral territories. Rhee’s rise to power is rocky right from the start. The final point of view is of Aly. He’s angry for what’s taken away from him. At times, he wants to hide away with Kara, but the mission to destroy the bad is too great. He can’t live life freely because he’s a foreigner. Currently there is a dangerous weapon out there that could cause havoc if gets into the wrong hands. Kara is in danger of being discovered by the wrong people. Rhee is challenged in her new position and may be force to work with her #1 enemy.
A well written story, this book has actions, romance, humor, and challenges that keeps me turning the pages. I like the turn of events when Aly was invited to join a new mission. I like all the things that Kara’s mom Lydia taught her and how she obtained knowledge based on her mom’s profession. I like Pavel’s personality, a robot with humor. Following Kara’s personal battle of who she is or was and how she wanted to have control on her life is interesting. I was hoping for a little romance between Rhee and Julian at the end but Rhee spent too much time crying over Dahlen. I thought Rhee has the hots for Julian because of her obsessive study on Julian’s jaw at their unconventional reunion. Other than that, Rhee prove herself in this book with her fighting skills that she trained so long for. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
Pro: easy to read, fast paced, page turner, humor, romance, adrenaline rush,
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
My Experience: I started reading Blood of a Thousand Stars on 3/26/18 and finished it on 4/6/18. The final installment of Empress of a Thousand Skies is an excellent read! I love that there are three POVs. I like following Alyosha’s views the most because he has experienced so much in his life. He’s blunt with honesty about what had happened and what he’s left with. He’s so hard on himself when comes to love. He’s so adorable when comes to love too! I like the connection to love & loss between Aly and Rhee. Their realization to the people that are close to them is heartbreaking. The misunderstanding with Kara and Aly is heartbreaking as well. It reminds readers to cherish the time we have with each other because we may not have another chance to say the things we want to say.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Kara (Josselyn (Joss) Ta’an, the lost older sister, Kalu princess) as she and Aly (Alyosha, a Wraetan revolutionary boys that was wanted for murder of princess Rhiannon in book 1) follow Julian to find a way to get in touch with the Lancer (Veyron – Julian’s dad and Rhee’s trainer) to find and destroy the overwriter technology that have the ability to steal, suppress, and alter to create new memory. Another point of view is Rhiannon (Rhee) Ta’an, empress of Kalu. After book 1, she announced to everyone that she’s in fact still alive. She now knows Nero, ambassador to the late King was behind her assassination. He has a large number of followers due to his presences on the DroneVision, a TV personality that citizens love to tune to night after night. Nero stepped in to be King when the planet thought that the last Ta’an heir, Rhee, was killed. Now that Rhee is back and taking back the family’s throne, the homecoming erupted with protests & attacks on neutral territories. Rhee’s rise to power is rocky right from the start. The final point of view is of Aly. He’s angry for what’s taken away from him. At times, he wants to hide away with Kara, but the mission to destroy the bad is too great. He can’t live life freely because he’s a foreigner. Currently there is a dangerous weapon out there that could cause havoc if gets into the wrong hands. Kara is in danger of being discovered by the wrong people. Rhee is challenged in her new position and may be force to work with her #1 enemy.
A well written story, this book has actions, romance, humor, and challenges that keeps me turning the pages. I like the turn of events when Aly was invited to join a new mission. I like all the things that Kara’s mom Lydia taught her and how she obtained knowledge based on her mom’s profession. I like Pavel’s personality, a robot with humor. Following Kara’s personal battle of who she is or was and how she wanted to have control on her life is interesting. I was hoping for a little romance between Rhee and Julian at the end but Rhee spent too much time crying over Dahlen. I thought Rhee has the hots for Julian because of her obsessive study on Julian’s jaw at their unconventional reunion. Other than that, Rhee prove herself in this book with her fighting skills that she trained so long for. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
Pro: easy to read, fast paced, page turner, humor, romance, adrenaline rush,
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
April 5, 2018
I can't believe how much I loved the first book.
I refuse to believe this sequel will be the last.
But apparently it is. And while this final book does provide more than enough closure to its predecessor, it's still...another duology? Really? I'm not a big fan of this particular trend.
But for this pair of books from Rhoda Belleza, she's got a couple of great stories here, loaded with engaging characters, on-point social commentary, and knocks on our overdependence on media in particular. I refer back to my review of Book 1, referring itself to an old car magazine's review of a roomy-interior small car as a "quantum-mechanics grade illusion" - Belleza's got that talent in spades, and Blood of a Thousand Stars continues to showcase it beautifully.
To this duology, I now say ave atque vale and eagerly await any and all future books with which Rhoda Belleza gifts us.
I refuse to believe this sequel will be the last.
But apparently it is. And while this final book does provide more than enough closure to its predecessor, it's still...another duology? Really? I'm not a big fan of this particular trend.
But for this pair of books from Rhoda Belleza, she's got a couple of great stories here, loaded with engaging characters, on-point social commentary, and knocks on our overdependence on media in particular. I refer back to my review of Book 1, referring itself to an old car magazine's review of a roomy-interior small car as a "quantum-mechanics grade illusion" - Belleza's got that talent in spades, and Blood of a Thousand Stars continues to showcase it beautifully.
To this duology, I now say ave atque vale and eagerly await any and all future books with which Rhoda Belleza gifts us.
June 27, 2018
I need this book in my life so bad. Who do I sell my soul to for a copy.
February 25, 2018
“Something inside Rhiannon rose up; the thing that made her who she was, whether it was pride or stubbornness or her soul, she couldn’t say, but it was like a power, pulsing inside her, waking her up from this nightmare, telling her there was still a way.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
I read Blood of a Thousand Stars a couple of weeks ago and I fell in love with it. It was even better than the first book. It reminds me why I love stories about lost royalty and sister bond. Rhee will always be my favorite heroine. I just love her stubbornness and spirit to avenge her family and do what is right.
Things you can expect from this book:
- stubborn heroines
- blood-thirsty main characters
- bloodshed! death!
- romance
- angst
- unresolved romance (atleast for me)
I wasn't exactly satisfied about the ending, which could easily be rectified by a novella or a collection of short story about the aftermath of the ending. It didn't concluded up abruptly, it was actually set up nicely; however, there's some component missing for me.
Please, don't click the spoiler clause if you dont want to read spoilers.
Honestly, I would just love to read more about these characters. That's my only qualms.
This series is about sheltered heroines and lost princesses, who are thirsty for revenge and survival, for innocent heroes clawing for freedom, and for nations looking for a salvation. ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
I might edit this later on and review it properly.
In Hollywood News Source, I shared my playlist for Empress of a Thousand Skies. You can also reblog the graphic in Tumblr.
February 18, 2018
Please Note: I received an advance audio copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
When I saw that the audio book of Blood of a Thousand Stars, by Rhonda Belleza, was available for review, I got really excited. I had Empress of a Thousand Skies but had not read it yet. So I quickly read the first book in preparation for the audio book. While I loved the first book, and all of Rhee's needing to outpace assassins who want her dead, the second book is mired in problems.
There are some SPOILERS in this review. I don't normally do this, but I need to in order to explain why I found this book to be lacking.
What I Liked:
Narration:
The narrator, Rebecca Soler, does a wonderful job with the narration. She did a great job of inhabiting all the characters, from smart-mouthed Kara, to insecure Rhee. I liked her voices and and inflections very much.
Characters:
The two main characters from Empress of a Thousand Skies, Rhee and Aly, remain fun and interesting to follow. Rhee is still struggling to grasp Royal politics and schemes. She always seems two steps behind Nero's plots. I liked that she didn't know everything. She tries to learn how to outmatch her opponents, and it's fun to read. Aly, ever the soldier, remains the symbol of the every man in the story. I liked his bravery, and his single-mindedness in trying to do the right thing.
I also enjoyed the smaller characters like Dhalen, The Fisherman, Issa, and Lana. Each of them show bravery and sacrifice toward the goal of bringing down Nero.
SPOILERS...
What I Didn't Like:
Kara:
I thought Kara was really selfish and probably the worst sister in the universe! When she realizes she is the true Empress, she rejects this, and wants to use the Overrider to erase everyone's knowledge that there ever was an older Princess named Josselyn. She reasons that it would be better for Rhee if there wasn't an older princess to challenge her for the throne. But the real reason is because she doesn't want the responsibility. She can't stand the thought of everyone telling her what to do and never having any choices. But isn't Kara dooming Rhee to just such a fate? Thanks, Sis! She eventually realizes this is a poor choice, but I was surprised that she would ever feel that way.
Nero:
Nero continues to be a dastardly villain, but we get only a few small clues as to what made him go bad. I wish the author had included more backstory to put his evil ways in context. What we get is a two-dimensional caricature of a bad guy. I think this was a missed opportunity.
Plot Obstacles:
You know when something happens in a book and you think, "If only the person did..." there wouldn't have been a problem? Well, this happened a lot in this book.
First of all, we know from the first book that Julian's dad tried to assassinate Rhee. She wound up killing him in self defense. But when Julian confronts Rhee (and tries to murder her to avenge his father's death), she doesn't tell him why she killed his father. Why? Because her would be devastated by the knowledge? If someone has a knife to your throat, don't you think you would want to tell the person they got it wrong?
Also, in the story line of Aly and Kara, a big explosion detonates around them. When the dust clears Aly sees a pile of rubble with a hand sticking out of it, holding a set of prayer beads Kara had been holding. Okay, what is the LOGICAL response? Check the body? Try to free her from the rubble? Oh no, that would be too easy. Instead of either of these, Aly leaves with some soldiers to rejoin the army and avenge Kara's death. Obviously, Kara is not dead. But now we have a convenient way to keep them separated for the rest of the book.
When I saw that the audio book of Blood of a Thousand Stars, by Rhonda Belleza, was available for review, I got really excited. I had Empress of a Thousand Skies but had not read it yet. So I quickly read the first book in preparation for the audio book. While I loved the first book, and all of Rhee's needing to outpace assassins who want her dead, the second book is mired in problems.
There are some SPOILERS in this review. I don't normally do this, but I need to in order to explain why I found this book to be lacking.
What I Liked:
Narration:
The narrator, Rebecca Soler, does a wonderful job with the narration. She did a great job of inhabiting all the characters, from smart-mouthed Kara, to insecure Rhee. I liked her voices and and inflections very much.
Characters:
The two main characters from Empress of a Thousand Skies, Rhee and Aly, remain fun and interesting to follow. Rhee is still struggling to grasp Royal politics and schemes. She always seems two steps behind Nero's plots. I liked that she didn't know everything. She tries to learn how to outmatch her opponents, and it's fun to read. Aly, ever the soldier, remains the symbol of the every man in the story. I liked his bravery, and his single-mindedness in trying to do the right thing.
I also enjoyed the smaller characters like Dhalen, The Fisherman, Issa, and Lana. Each of them show bravery and sacrifice toward the goal of bringing down Nero.
SPOILERS...
What I Didn't Like:
Kara:
I thought Kara was really selfish and probably the worst sister in the universe! When she realizes she is the true Empress, she rejects this, and wants to use the Overrider to erase everyone's knowledge that there ever was an older Princess named Josselyn. She reasons that it would be better for Rhee if there wasn't an older princess to challenge her for the throne. But the real reason is because she doesn't want the responsibility. She can't stand the thought of everyone telling her what to do and never having any choices. But isn't Kara dooming Rhee to just such a fate? Thanks, Sis! She eventually realizes this is a poor choice, but I was surprised that she would ever feel that way.
Nero:
Nero continues to be a dastardly villain, but we get only a few small clues as to what made him go bad. I wish the author had included more backstory to put his evil ways in context. What we get is a two-dimensional caricature of a bad guy. I think this was a missed opportunity.
Plot Obstacles:
You know when something happens in a book and you think, "If only the person did..." there wouldn't have been a problem? Well, this happened a lot in this book.
First of all, we know from the first book that Julian's dad tried to assassinate Rhee. She wound up killing him in self defense. But when Julian confronts Rhee (and tries to murder her to avenge his father's death), she doesn't tell him why she killed his father. Why? Because her would be devastated by the knowledge? If someone has a knife to your throat, don't you think you would want to tell the person they got it wrong?
Also, in the story line of Aly and Kara, a big explosion detonates around them. When the dust clears Aly sees a pile of rubble with a hand sticking out of it, holding a set of prayer beads Kara had been holding. Okay, what is the LOGICAL response? Check the body? Try to free her from the rubble? Oh no, that would be too easy. Instead of either of these, Aly leaves with some soldiers to rejoin the army and avenge Kara's death. Obviously, Kara is not dead. But now we have a convenient way to keep them separated for the rest of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2018
Blood of a Thousand Stars was an excellent sequel
March 18, 2018
The best thing I can come up with right now is that this book, this duology was adorable. The world, the characters, the story, they were all adorable. What I mean by that is I enjoyed these books and had a pretty decent time but great as they were, they weren’t memorable. I wish there were more books in this series because these two were solid.
I read the first book in February last year but to my surprise and pleasure I remembered quite a bit. Enough that I didn’t feel a pang for not rereading it. The little details, of course, are hard to recall but I pretty much knew most of what was going on.
The pacing, plot and everything was amazing and just like the last time I was able to kick back, relax and have a good time. The world-building is really cool in these books. I just wish the stuff about the “overwriter” technology was clearer. The cube technology was an interesting concept and I had no problems with that but since the characters are worried about the overwriter getting into the villain’s hands and them wanting to destroy it I wish the capabilities of that tech had been more clearer which they weren’t.
I was rooting for Rhee and Dahlen. Alyosha and Josselyn’s pairing was sweet as well.
Overall I feel like we saw too little of this world. The two-part story was a neat package but the world, which was fascinating, should be given more chance to expand. If the writer decides to write more books set in this galaxy I would totally be on board.
November 2, 2018
I’m so used to my YA books having an overall happy ending that this book just leaves me rather bitter and sad
*Review to come*
*Review to come*
February 28, 2018
Too many mixed feelings.
This wasn't a bad book. It was problematic. Some ideas of this book appeared dropped in process and confusing. It was hard to follow explanation of something complex in just three short sentences, especially due to technological aspects of this sci-fi read.
More to come in a full review!
____________________
Am I the only one who thinks that this cover looks so much like a cover of one of the albums by Nicki Minaj? Up close it looks nicer.
Hoping to like this one!
This wasn't a bad book. It was problematic. Some ideas of this book appeared dropped in process and confusing. It was hard to follow explanation of something complex in just three short sentences, especially due to technological aspects of this sci-fi read.
More to come in a full review!
____________________
Am I the only one who thinks that this cover looks so much like a cover of one of the albums by Nicki Minaj? Up close it looks nicer.
Hoping to like this one!
March 5, 2018
Where do I even begin with this? I don't know. I feel like I should type up a formal review but I'm out of practice and my feels just cannot be contained. So apologies, this is just going to be some random (and probably really long) splooge. I'll try to avoid spoilers, but it might be difficult.
To be perfectly honest, I came into Blood of a Thousand Stars with pretty low expectations. I'm used to YA authors dropping the ball when it comes to sequels and I was certain one book just wouldn't be enough to conclude such a sprawling, ambitious story. And, to be honest, I still feel that way. Yet I still gave it five stars because in spite of everything against it, the book managed to rip my heart out and stomp on it and two weeks after reading it I have yet to recover.
But yeah, about that length thing. Two short-ish book is NOT enough. The story aches so badly to be a long, epic saga. Kind of like, you know, Saga. It almost makes me wish it would have been an adult sci fi book instead. Each book should have been at least a hundred pages longer and I feel like the series should have at least had one more book, if not two. I just feel like the current version of the story we have is just the Cliff Notes version. I want to dive so much deeper into this world and spend more time with its colorful cultures, tangled histories, and stunning vistas. To say nothing of the characters, of course!
Yeah, the characters. I would have been happy if Dahlen had just existed and done something in this book, so I was blown away by just how prominent he was in it. In the end, it really was his show, and I will not lie, I loved every last second of it. Last book, he was definitely my favorite but still pretty much an enigma, but here you get to see so many sides of him. His strict morality, his devotion to his religion, and the way he struggles with the high standards he sets for himself. Mm, pretty boy angst, can't say no. He also got some awesome banter with Aly, which was everything I could have asked for--Aly is the perfect straight man to Dahlen's intensity. And his relationship with Rhee....oh god. Oh god. It's so hard to talk about without spoilers, but...yeah, I was not wrong to ship them in book one. It's very underplayed, but I appreciated that; swoony romance doesn't suit either of these characters. And then the ending and ugh...so hard to talk without spoilers.
AT THE SAME TIME, while I am completely satisfied with the direction their relationship took and the trajectory of their character arcs and the feels and crying I did afterward one hundred percent warrant those five stars, I completely understand when people say it feels rushed, because it did. A lot of it just came from my own deep affection for these characters and my shipping lizard brain, but my rational side is well aware that there simply is not enough groundwork in place to justify the depth and intensity of a lot of the relationships. Everything in both these books still happens over the course of like, three weeks, and the prose is sparse and utilitarian at best. Like I said, it feels like the Cliff Notes version. I loved what we got, but an even longer version with deeper introspection from all characters and more time for their relationships to develop organically? I wouldn't object.
I guess other stuff happened besides Dahlen being awesome, but this is definitely a case where one character stole the show for me, and I feel no shame in that. Of course, the other characters we great too--I was amazed by how much Rhee in particular grew and matured and learned from her mistakes in just the space of two books. Her behavior in the last book could be infuriating, but now I understand it was one hundred percent meant to be that way. She reflects on how she was blinded by vengeance then, and now tries to act more carefully--sometimes a little too much. But she's still the same fundamental person. She just felt so much more real and alive to me this time around; Aly too. I really appreciate how Aly was positioned as just an ordinary guy thrown into this mess of war and conspiracy and royal politics going on, almost like what Finn would be like if Star Wars didn't insist on treating him like a joke. I admit to still feeling rather cold about Kara; I just never connected to her much and her relationship with Aly is still boring as all get out, sorry guys. We got to meet some new characters too, and I especially loved Issa and Lahna, though again I wish we got more time to know them better, because they still felt kind of thinly sketched by the end.
What else, what else. Like always, I appreciate how Belleza raises moral issues without clear-cut answers; it's part of what makes this world feel so vivid and alive. I particularly liked how this time around, she did some poking at the concept of a hereditary monarchy and how those with power, no matter how benevolent, can still abuse it and be blind to the struggles going on below (this is another way in which I appreciated Aly's character, because he offered the perspective of the lower classes, so to speak). We also get a bit more background on Nero and why he and the Kalusion second-wavers think the way they do, which feel very fair and even-handed, though (like everything) it could be fleshed out more. I'm still not entirely clear on this whole second-wave/first-wave distinction and where the second-wavers even came from.
I know this is the end of these particular characters' journeys, but I hope it isn't the last we see of this world, because I want to know so much more. How about a look at the Chram? Or actually getting to visit Fontis? Learning more about the Order of the Light? Spending more time in the Outer Belt? Gah, this just cannot be the end of it all.
But in the end, I'll admit I will remember these books mostly for the "pure, impossible boy" at the heart of it all. The best characters leave an impression that will never go away, and I'm happy to add Dahlen to that list. I feel so grateful I was able to read these books, experience this world, and get to meet him. I'll be thinking about him for a long time afterwards.
To be perfectly honest, I came into Blood of a Thousand Stars with pretty low expectations. I'm used to YA authors dropping the ball when it comes to sequels and I was certain one book just wouldn't be enough to conclude such a sprawling, ambitious story. And, to be honest, I still feel that way. Yet I still gave it five stars because in spite of everything against it, the book managed to rip my heart out and stomp on it and two weeks after reading it I have yet to recover.
But yeah, about that length thing. Two short-ish book is NOT enough. The story aches so badly to be a long, epic saga. Kind of like, you know, Saga. It almost makes me wish it would have been an adult sci fi book instead. Each book should have been at least a hundred pages longer and I feel like the series should have at least had one more book, if not two. I just feel like the current version of the story we have is just the Cliff Notes version. I want to dive so much deeper into this world and spend more time with its colorful cultures, tangled histories, and stunning vistas. To say nothing of the characters, of course!
Yeah, the characters. I would have been happy if Dahlen had just existed and done something in this book, so I was blown away by just how prominent he was in it. In the end, it really was his show, and I will not lie, I loved every last second of it. Last book, he was definitely my favorite but still pretty much an enigma, but here you get to see so many sides of him. His strict morality, his devotion to his religion, and the way he struggles with the high standards he sets for himself. Mm, pretty boy angst, can't say no. He also got some awesome banter with Aly, which was everything I could have asked for--Aly is the perfect straight man to Dahlen's intensity. And his relationship with Rhee....oh god. Oh god. It's so hard to talk about without spoilers, but...yeah, I was not wrong to ship them in book one. It's very underplayed, but I appreciated that; swoony romance doesn't suit either of these characters. And then the ending and ugh...so hard to talk without spoilers.
AT THE SAME TIME, while I am completely satisfied with the direction their relationship took and the trajectory of their character arcs and the feels and crying I did afterward one hundred percent warrant those five stars, I completely understand when people say it feels rushed, because it did. A lot of it just came from my own deep affection for these characters and my shipping lizard brain, but my rational side is well aware that there simply is not enough groundwork in place to justify the depth and intensity of a lot of the relationships. Everything in both these books still happens over the course of like, three weeks, and the prose is sparse and utilitarian at best. Like I said, it feels like the Cliff Notes version. I loved what we got, but an even longer version with deeper introspection from all characters and more time for their relationships to develop organically? I wouldn't object.
I guess other stuff happened besides Dahlen being awesome, but this is definitely a case where one character stole the show for me, and I feel no shame in that. Of course, the other characters we great too--I was amazed by how much Rhee in particular grew and matured and learned from her mistakes in just the space of two books. Her behavior in the last book could be infuriating, but now I understand it was one hundred percent meant to be that way. She reflects on how she was blinded by vengeance then, and now tries to act more carefully--sometimes a little too much. But she's still the same fundamental person. She just felt so much more real and alive to me this time around; Aly too. I really appreciate how Aly was positioned as just an ordinary guy thrown into this mess of war and conspiracy and royal politics going on, almost like what Finn would be like if Star Wars didn't insist on treating him like a joke. I admit to still feeling rather cold about Kara; I just never connected to her much and her relationship with Aly is still boring as all get out, sorry guys. We got to meet some new characters too, and I especially loved Issa and Lahna, though again I wish we got more time to know them better, because they still felt kind of thinly sketched by the end.
What else, what else. Like always, I appreciate how Belleza raises moral issues without clear-cut answers; it's part of what makes this world feel so vivid and alive. I particularly liked how this time around, she did some poking at the concept of a hereditary monarchy and how those with power, no matter how benevolent, can still abuse it and be blind to the struggles going on below (this is another way in which I appreciated Aly's character, because he offered the perspective of the lower classes, so to speak). We also get a bit more background on Nero and why he and the Kalusion second-wavers think the way they do, which feel very fair and even-handed, though (like everything) it could be fleshed out more. I'm still not entirely clear on this whole second-wave/first-wave distinction and where the second-wavers even came from.
I know this is the end of these particular characters' journeys, but I hope it isn't the last we see of this world, because I want to know so much more. How about a look at the Chram? Or actually getting to visit Fontis? Learning more about the Order of the Light? Spending more time in the Outer Belt? Gah, this just cannot be the end of it all.
But in the end, I'll admit I will remember these books mostly for the "pure, impossible boy" at the heart of it all. The best characters leave an impression that will never go away, and I'm happy to add Dahlen to that list. I feel so grateful I was able to read these books, experience this world, and get to meet him. I'll be thinking about him for a long time afterwards.
September 15, 2020
Omg this was great, but also
I wasn't expecting to tear up. (Cara and Aly's romance, Rhi and Dalan's friendship, the loyalty and devotion between them all--so touching. Warms my heart.)
I wasn't expecting to tear up. (Cara and Aly's romance, Rhi and Dalan's friendship, the loyalty and devotion between them all--so touching. Warms my heart.)
February 27, 2018
This is pretty much the equivalent of the "Episode I - The Phantom Menace" and I mean it in the worst way possible. But it's still an improvement from the first book so there's that.
The characters are all unlikable, the pacing is a mess and the action in some places bored me to death. Also actual plot who? But for some reason I just don't feel the same hatred I did towards the first book. I guess I burned out already at the ripe age of 21.
I do regret the time and money I spent on this duology but it's solely my problem and my own fault. If you liked the first book you'll probably enjoy this one too.
The characters are all unlikable, the pacing is a mess and the action in some places bored me to death. Also actual plot who? But for some reason I just don't feel the same hatred I did towards the first book. I guess I burned out already at the ripe age of 21.
I do regret the time and money I spent on this duology but it's solely my problem and my own fault. If you liked the first book you'll probably enjoy this one too.
April 1, 2018
I absolutely adored the first book in this series, Empress of a Thousand Skies. I loved the plot, the world, the characters, the writing, I loved everything. So of course I had to request an ARC of Blood of a Thousand Stars, and I was absolutely over the moon when I was accepted, so of course I dove straight into it.
Sadly, I had a lot of trouble getting into the book. The world in this book is quite complicated, especially when it comes to the political aspects of it, and because it had been a few months since I read the first book I had forgotten a couple details, such as the names of certain characters and planets, and who sided with who. Normally when you read a sequel it kind of recaps what happened previously, and I felt like this book did make an attempt at doing this, but it failed. I felt very lost while reading the first 1/3th of the book, and once I finally got what was going on, I still felt very disconnected from the story. I had to force myself to pick it up again, which is never a good sign.
Rohda Belleza’s writing was absolutely gorgeous, but I also felt like there was a bit too much of it. For instance, while having a dialogue there would be a lot of focus on what the characters where thinking or feeling, or what the setting or the other characters looked like. Every single description was beautiful and it made the reading experience very immersive, but it also causes a conversation that could’ve easily taken 2 pages last a whole chapter. Which was fine, but I just started feeling like nothing was happening and I got a bit bored. And that, in combination with my confusion, was not good, and I almost ended up DNF’ing the book.
So, am I glad that I didn’t DNF the book? Meh. There were, of course, parts of this book that I absolutely loved and that made my struggle worth it, like the characters. It took me some time to really connect with them, but once I did, I fell in love with them and I really cared about what was going to happen to them. I also really liked the overall plot. It was very interesting, and it took a few twists that I didn’t see coming. It was really too bad that it was so slow, because I know I would’ve loved it otherwise.
I think I could’ve really loved the book. Maybe if I had picked the book up as an audiobook, because I don’t mind audiobooks being slow at all, or if I had read it right after finishing the first book so I wouldn’t have forgotten a few of the details. I am, however, very interested to see what Rhoda Belleza will publish in the future, and I’m pretty sure I’ll still pick it up, even if I didn’t like this one that much.
Sadly, I had a lot of trouble getting into the book. The world in this book is quite complicated, especially when it comes to the political aspects of it, and because it had been a few months since I read the first book I had forgotten a couple details, such as the names of certain characters and planets, and who sided with who. Normally when you read a sequel it kind of recaps what happened previously, and I felt like this book did make an attempt at doing this, but it failed. I felt very lost while reading the first 1/3th of the book, and once I finally got what was going on, I still felt very disconnected from the story. I had to force myself to pick it up again, which is never a good sign.
Rohda Belleza’s writing was absolutely gorgeous, but I also felt like there was a bit too much of it. For instance, while having a dialogue there would be a lot of focus on what the characters where thinking or feeling, or what the setting or the other characters looked like. Every single description was beautiful and it made the reading experience very immersive, but it also causes a conversation that could’ve easily taken 2 pages last a whole chapter. Which was fine, but I just started feeling like nothing was happening and I got a bit bored. And that, in combination with my confusion, was not good, and I almost ended up DNF’ing the book.
So, am I glad that I didn’t DNF the book? Meh. There were, of course, parts of this book that I absolutely loved and that made my struggle worth it, like the characters. It took me some time to really connect with them, but once I did, I fell in love with them and I really cared about what was going to happen to them. I also really liked the overall plot. It was very interesting, and it took a few twists that I didn’t see coming. It was really too bad that it was so slow, because I know I would’ve loved it otherwise.
I think I could’ve really loved the book. Maybe if I had picked the book up as an audiobook, because I don’t mind audiobooks being slow at all, or if I had read it right after finishing the first book so I wouldn’t have forgotten a few of the details. I am, however, very interested to see what Rhoda Belleza will publish in the future, and I’m pretty sure I’ll still pick it up, even if I didn’t like this one that much.
Want to read
January 25, 2018Thank you Penguin for the ARC!
Cant wait to see if this is better than book one 🙌🏽
Cant wait to see if this is better than book one 🙌🏽
lost-interest
January 27, 2018
June 14, 2018
I guess I liked this slightly better than the first book but it's still not my favrouite and I feel the book overall has a few flaws.
September 30, 2018
Der erste Teil der Reihe konnte mich ja im letzten Winter vollends überzeugen und begeistern - gefühlt war ich da mit meiner Meinung ganz allein. Jetzt ist es genau umgekehrt, denn die Fortsetzung des doch so vielversprechenden Auftakts war mir viel zu diffus und irreführend. Nur eins bleibt gleich - anscheinend bin ich auch hier wieder allein mit meiner Meinung.
Ich muss zugeben, dass es mir unglaublich schwergefallen ist, mich wieder in die Geschichte fallen lassen zu können. Leider ist mir diesbezüglich aus dem ersten Teil viel zu wenig hängengeblieben, was dazu geführt hat, dass ich absolut keine Ahnung hatte, wer bestimmte Nebencharaktere waren, welche Handlungsstränge im ersten Teil auf welche Art und Weise ausgegangen sind und vor allem, was zur Hölle unsere drei Hauptprotagonisten, Rhee, Kara und Aly, vorhatten.
Man wird wieder ziemlich erbarmungslos und ohne tiefere Auffrischungen in die Handlung geworfen, was ich eigentlich mag. Bei der Art und Weise, wie die Autorin ihre Geschichte erzählt - und zwar mit unglaublich viel Plot, Wendungen und Action -, ging das für mich leider nicht so gut auf. Dementsprechend würde ich an dieser Stelle schon mal empfehlen, die Bücher direkt hintereinander zu lesen.
Ein weiterer negativer Punkt, der nämlich daraus folgt, ist, dass man allgemein absolut keine Ahnung hat, was die Protagonisten jetzt dazu bewegt, so zu handeln, wie sie es eben tun. Für mich waren deren Wege viel zu undurchsichtig und zu schwer zu verstehen.
Die zugehörigen Lösungen der Probleme kamen für mich auch immer viel zu gelegen, schnell und aus dem Nichts heraus - gerade die Auflösung der Endsituation war mir viel zu abgedreht. Ich hatte absolut gar keinen Plan, wo dieser Geistesblitz jetzt mit einem Mal herkam. Nichts desto trotz hat mich das Ende natürlich bewegt, aber ... es war schon komisch, sagen wir es einfach mal so.
Dies führt im Allgemeinen dazu, dass die Handlung oft sehr inszeniert und unecht wirkte, was mich dann auch nicht sehr bespaßen konnte, weil die Autorin es ihren Protagonisten eben oft so verdammt einfach gemacht hat.
Ich muss auch sagen, dass ich während des Lesens oft keine große Konzentration aufbringen konnte, und im Gegensatz zum ersten Teil nicht mehr an jedem Wort der Autorin geklebt habe, sondern mich gelegentlich dabei erwischt habe, wie ich Passagen nur noch überflogen habe. Vor allem am Anfang des Buches kam es auch immer wieder dazu, dass ich es aus diesem Grund zur Seite gelegt habe, mich habe ablenken lassen oder einfach gar nicht mehr dazu gegriffen habe.
Trotzdem muss man ihr zugute halten, dass sie unglaublich aktionsreiche Kapitel mit sehr viel Handlung schreibt. Gleichzeitig sind diese absolut nicht vorauszuahnen. Wenn man also einmal in der Geschichte drinsteckt, dann folgt Schlag auf Schlag und man kann richtig mitfiebern!
Auch Setting und Atmosphäre konnten mich wieder total abholen und packen. Wie schon im ersten Teil wird der fantastische Weltraum toll eingefangen und beschrieben.
Neben meinem Problem die Nebencharaktere einzuordnen und mich überhaupt ansatzweise an diese zu erinnern - was mir bei vielen bis zum Ende nicht gelungen ist - kommen hier auch weiterhin viele, viele, viele Charaktere hinzu. Lasst es mich so sagen ... ich habe irgendwann aufgegeben diese zu reflektieren und abspeichern zu wollen. Es sind wirklich unglaublich viele, die zwar oft auch kurz beschrieben werden, dafür aber meist eine viel zu kleine Rolle in der Geschichte spielen, um sie als wirklich relevant gelten zu lassen. Ich schätze, das hätte man besser lösen können, denn vor allem dieser Fakt hat mich total verwirrt und auch immer wieder aus dem Geschehen herausgehauen.
Die Hauptcharaktere und deren nächststehenden Begleiter gewinnt man aber wirklich gern. Vor allem hat es mir gefallen, wie hier alle Charaktere aus ihren verschiedenen Positionen auf das Ende hinarbeiten und diesem Schritt für Schritt näher kommen. Das war für mich ein herausstechender Punkt auch gegenüber anderen Science Fiction- oder Fantasy-Geschichten. Wir haben es hier einfach nicht mit einem Einzelnen zu tun, der der Beste in allem ist und sich so gegen den Endgegner beweist, sondern mehrere Individuen mit ihren Stärken und Schwächen.
Ebenso gut hat es mir gefallen, dass einige Nebencharaktere auf einmal in der Handlung eines anderen Protagonisten aufgetaucht sind, als bei dem, dem er regulär folgt. Und ganz klar, ich fand es auch toll, wie die drei Geschichten am Ende zusammengelaufen sind!
Fazit:
Da ich so ein großer Fan des ersten Teils war, habe ich mir hiervon leider zu viel versprochen. Mir waren so viele Begebenheiten zu diffus, undurchsichtig oder sogar zu einfach gelöst. Es tut mir im Herzen weh, dass ich das sage, aber ich bin leider ein wenig enttäuscht.
Ich muss zugeben, dass es mir unglaublich schwergefallen ist, mich wieder in die Geschichte fallen lassen zu können. Leider ist mir diesbezüglich aus dem ersten Teil viel zu wenig hängengeblieben, was dazu geführt hat, dass ich absolut keine Ahnung hatte, wer bestimmte Nebencharaktere waren, welche Handlungsstränge im ersten Teil auf welche Art und Weise ausgegangen sind und vor allem, was zur Hölle unsere drei Hauptprotagonisten, Rhee, Kara und Aly, vorhatten.
Man wird wieder ziemlich erbarmungslos und ohne tiefere Auffrischungen in die Handlung geworfen, was ich eigentlich mag. Bei der Art und Weise, wie die Autorin ihre Geschichte erzählt - und zwar mit unglaublich viel Plot, Wendungen und Action -, ging das für mich leider nicht so gut auf. Dementsprechend würde ich an dieser Stelle schon mal empfehlen, die Bücher direkt hintereinander zu lesen.
Ein weiterer negativer Punkt, der nämlich daraus folgt, ist, dass man allgemein absolut keine Ahnung hat, was die Protagonisten jetzt dazu bewegt, so zu handeln, wie sie es eben tun. Für mich waren deren Wege viel zu undurchsichtig und zu schwer zu verstehen.
Die zugehörigen Lösungen der Probleme kamen für mich auch immer viel zu gelegen, schnell und aus dem Nichts heraus - gerade die Auflösung der Endsituation war mir viel zu abgedreht. Ich hatte absolut gar keinen Plan, wo dieser Geistesblitz jetzt mit einem Mal herkam. Nichts desto trotz hat mich das Ende natürlich bewegt, aber ... es war schon komisch, sagen wir es einfach mal so.
Dies führt im Allgemeinen dazu, dass die Handlung oft sehr inszeniert und unecht wirkte, was mich dann auch nicht sehr bespaßen konnte, weil die Autorin es ihren Protagonisten eben oft so verdammt einfach gemacht hat.
Ich muss auch sagen, dass ich während des Lesens oft keine große Konzentration aufbringen konnte, und im Gegensatz zum ersten Teil nicht mehr an jedem Wort der Autorin geklebt habe, sondern mich gelegentlich dabei erwischt habe, wie ich Passagen nur noch überflogen habe. Vor allem am Anfang des Buches kam es auch immer wieder dazu, dass ich es aus diesem Grund zur Seite gelegt habe, mich habe ablenken lassen oder einfach gar nicht mehr dazu gegriffen habe.
Trotzdem muss man ihr zugute halten, dass sie unglaublich aktionsreiche Kapitel mit sehr viel Handlung schreibt. Gleichzeitig sind diese absolut nicht vorauszuahnen. Wenn man also einmal in der Geschichte drinsteckt, dann folgt Schlag auf Schlag und man kann richtig mitfiebern!
Auch Setting und Atmosphäre konnten mich wieder total abholen und packen. Wie schon im ersten Teil wird der fantastische Weltraum toll eingefangen und beschrieben.
Neben meinem Problem die Nebencharaktere einzuordnen und mich überhaupt ansatzweise an diese zu erinnern - was mir bei vielen bis zum Ende nicht gelungen ist - kommen hier auch weiterhin viele, viele, viele Charaktere hinzu. Lasst es mich so sagen ... ich habe irgendwann aufgegeben diese zu reflektieren und abspeichern zu wollen. Es sind wirklich unglaublich viele, die zwar oft auch kurz beschrieben werden, dafür aber meist eine viel zu kleine Rolle in der Geschichte spielen, um sie als wirklich relevant gelten zu lassen. Ich schätze, das hätte man besser lösen können, denn vor allem dieser Fakt hat mich total verwirrt und auch immer wieder aus dem Geschehen herausgehauen.
Die Hauptcharaktere und deren nächststehenden Begleiter gewinnt man aber wirklich gern. Vor allem hat es mir gefallen, wie hier alle Charaktere aus ihren verschiedenen Positionen auf das Ende hinarbeiten und diesem Schritt für Schritt näher kommen. Das war für mich ein herausstechender Punkt auch gegenüber anderen Science Fiction- oder Fantasy-Geschichten. Wir haben es hier einfach nicht mit einem Einzelnen zu tun, der der Beste in allem ist und sich so gegen den Endgegner beweist, sondern mehrere Individuen mit ihren Stärken und Schwächen.
Ebenso gut hat es mir gefallen, dass einige Nebencharaktere auf einmal in der Handlung eines anderen Protagonisten aufgetaucht sind, als bei dem, dem er regulär folgt. Und ganz klar, ich fand es auch toll, wie die drei Geschichten am Ende zusammengelaufen sind!
Fazit:
Da ich so ein großer Fan des ersten Teils war, habe ich mir hiervon leider zu viel versprochen. Mir waren so viele Begebenheiten zu diffus, undurchsichtig oder sogar zu einfach gelöst. Es tut mir im Herzen weh, dass ich das sage, aber ich bin leider ein wenig enttäuscht.
October 3, 2018
Protagonisten
Kara, die eigentlich Prinzessin Josselyn war, will gar nichts mit dieser Sache zu tun haben. Sie hat keinerlei Erinnerung an ihre Zeit als Prinzessin und erinnert sich ebenso wenig an ihre Schwester Rhiannon. Also sucht sie eher nach einem Ausweg. Die Suche ihrer Schwester empfindet sie als weiteres Problem. Anders als Rhiannon, die sich für Frieden und ihr Volk interessiert, denkt Kara eher an sich selbst.
Und Rhiannon stellt sich auch nicht immer allzu schlau an. Ich habe sie weiterhin als etwas naiv empfunden. Zwar sind ihre Absichten die besten, aber sie hat kaum Erfahrung und weiß nicht, wie sie ihre Ziele erreichen kann.
Alyosha wird als Wraetaner weiterhin anders behandelt und ist sich immer noch nicht ganz sicher, wer er sein will. Seine Ziele sind Überleben und Kara zu beschützen, zwar will er auch Gerechtigkeit, aber er kommt nicht wirklich dazu, weil er ständig in Bewegung ist.
Handlung und Schreibstil
Ich kann nicht behaupten, dass es nicht spannend war. Es gab viele Mysterien oder auch actionreiche Momente, die dafür gesorgt haben, dass es nicht langweilig wurde. Aber es konnte mich trotzdem nicht ganz packen. Keiner der Charaktere konnte mich wirklich überzeugen und auch die Handlungen waren nicht immer ganz nachvollziehbar. Ich kann nicht sagen, woran es lag, aber es konnte mich einfach nicht richtig packen, was ich wirklich schade finde. Denn wie im Vorgänger fand ich die Idee eigentlich ganz in Ordnung und bin der Meinung, dass hier viel Potenzial verschwendet wurde.
Der Abschluss der Geschichte war dann auch irgendwie enttäuschend und ich hätte mir etwas ganz anderes gewünscht. Es kam plötzlich recht schnell und war irgendwie so antiklimaktisch, dass ich zum Schluss irgendwie gar kein Gefühl mehr hatte.
Fazit
Lieder fand ich mit "Rebellin der tausend Sterne" den Abschluss dieser Dilogie recht enttäuschend. Die Charaktere konnten mich nicht überzeugen und mit dem Ende der Geschichte war ich auch nicht glücklich.
Kara, die eigentlich Prinzessin Josselyn war, will gar nichts mit dieser Sache zu tun haben. Sie hat keinerlei Erinnerung an ihre Zeit als Prinzessin und erinnert sich ebenso wenig an ihre Schwester Rhiannon. Also sucht sie eher nach einem Ausweg. Die Suche ihrer Schwester empfindet sie als weiteres Problem. Anders als Rhiannon, die sich für Frieden und ihr Volk interessiert, denkt Kara eher an sich selbst.
Und Rhiannon stellt sich auch nicht immer allzu schlau an. Ich habe sie weiterhin als etwas naiv empfunden. Zwar sind ihre Absichten die besten, aber sie hat kaum Erfahrung und weiß nicht, wie sie ihre Ziele erreichen kann.
Alyosha wird als Wraetaner weiterhin anders behandelt und ist sich immer noch nicht ganz sicher, wer er sein will. Seine Ziele sind Überleben und Kara zu beschützen, zwar will er auch Gerechtigkeit, aber er kommt nicht wirklich dazu, weil er ständig in Bewegung ist.
Handlung und Schreibstil
Ich kann nicht behaupten, dass es nicht spannend war. Es gab viele Mysterien oder auch actionreiche Momente, die dafür gesorgt haben, dass es nicht langweilig wurde. Aber es konnte mich trotzdem nicht ganz packen. Keiner der Charaktere konnte mich wirklich überzeugen und auch die Handlungen waren nicht immer ganz nachvollziehbar. Ich kann nicht sagen, woran es lag, aber es konnte mich einfach nicht richtig packen, was ich wirklich schade finde. Denn wie im Vorgänger fand ich die Idee eigentlich ganz in Ordnung und bin der Meinung, dass hier viel Potenzial verschwendet wurde.
Der Abschluss der Geschichte war dann auch irgendwie enttäuschend und ich hätte mir etwas ganz anderes gewünscht. Es kam plötzlich recht schnell und war irgendwie so antiklimaktisch, dass ich zum Schluss irgendwie gar kein Gefühl mehr hatte.
Fazit
Lieder fand ich mit "Rebellin der tausend Sterne" den Abschluss dieser Dilogie recht enttäuschend. Die Charaktere konnten mich nicht überzeugen und mit dem Ende der Geschichte war ich auch nicht glücklich.
January 13, 2022
actual rating: 3.5 stars
honestly, i wasn't vibe-ing with blood of a thousand stars. with how the characters are separated into different places, i understood the need for multiple pov. but, i did think that it totally took away the character development rhee needed to become an empress. maybe it's intentional since the author also focused on kara's insecurities and fear of who she was in the past and what her title meant. she's finding the tech that could hide her from the rest of the world forever. despite recognising her need for that tech, i still couldn't help but think that kara was being really selfish. instead of wondering if rhee misses her sister, her only blood relative left in this world, kara is always fearful of the empress role. i know that kara isn't the person she was before her memory was wiped but be less selfish once in a while and think about others too. besides that, rhee can be quite a badass since she's actually skilled at fighting.
also, i can't believe aly equated . i understood the need for them to go on their own paths but come on.
complaints aside, i read through the book really fast. the plot twist at the end got me good cause apparently not everything can be a happy ending.
books in the series:
1. empress of a thousand skies: ✰✰✰½
2. blood of a thousand stars: ✰✰✰½
honestly, i wasn't vibe-ing with blood of a thousand stars. with how the characters are separated into different places, i understood the need for multiple pov. but, i did think that it totally took away the character development rhee needed to become an empress. maybe it's intentional since the author also focused on kara's insecurities and fear of who she was in the past and what her title meant. she's finding the tech that could hide her from the rest of the world forever. despite recognising her need for that tech, i still couldn't help but think that kara was being really selfish. instead of wondering if rhee misses her sister, her only blood relative left in this world, kara is always fearful of the empress role. i know that kara isn't the person she was before her memory was wiped but be less selfish once in a while and think about others too. besides that, rhee can be quite a badass since she's actually skilled at fighting.
also, i can't believe aly equated . i understood the need for them to go on their own paths but come on.
complaints aside, i read through the book really fast. the plot twist at the end got me good cause apparently not everything can be a happy ending.
books in the series:
1. empress of a thousand skies: ✰✰✰½
2. blood of a thousand stars: ✰✰✰½
December 12, 2018
Great conclusion to the duology?
Yeah!
Would this story make a better standalone?
Kinda!
But still enjoyable?
Definitely :)
I really like Rhoda Belleza’s fast paced writing style and the unique quirks she provides in this story. I’m definitely interested in seeing what she has to offer next!
Yeah!
Would this story make a better standalone?
Kinda!
But still enjoyable?
Definitely :)
I really like Rhoda Belleza’s fast paced writing style and the unique quirks she provides in this story. I’m definitely interested in seeing what she has to offer next!
July 12, 2018
Persönliche Meinung
Ich halte es kurz:
Wieso ich diesen Band überhaupt lesen wollte, weiss ich selber nicht. Wahrscheinlich, weil mir das Cover gefiel und weil ich mir in der Zwischenzeit Band eins schöngeredet habe.
Ohne grosse Lust habe ich angefangen und mir ist fast das Gesicht eingeschlafen. Ich hatte einfach null Interessen für die Schicksale von Aly, Rhee und Kara.
Nach etwa 170 Seiten musste ich springen. Habe dazwischen ein paar Seiten gelesen und dann den letzten Part ab 330 bis zum Schluss.
Leider konnte mich nicht mal das Ende überzeugen.
Es tut mir sehr leid. Das Buch war wohl einfach nichts für mich. Schlecht ist es sicherlich nicht, aber weder der Schreibstil, noch die Geschichte und auch leider die Charaktere konnten mich überzeugen.
Fazit: Leider genauso nichtssagend wie Band eins
Ich halte es kurz:
Wieso ich diesen Band überhaupt lesen wollte, weiss ich selber nicht. Wahrscheinlich, weil mir das Cover gefiel und weil ich mir in der Zwischenzeit Band eins schöngeredet habe.
Ohne grosse Lust habe ich angefangen und mir ist fast das Gesicht eingeschlafen. Ich hatte einfach null Interessen für die Schicksale von Aly, Rhee und Kara.
Nach etwa 170 Seiten musste ich springen. Habe dazwischen ein paar Seiten gelesen und dann den letzten Part ab 330 bis zum Schluss.
Leider konnte mich nicht mal das Ende überzeugen.
Es tut mir sehr leid. Das Buch war wohl einfach nichts für mich. Schlecht ist es sicherlich nicht, aber weder der Schreibstil, noch die Geschichte und auch leider die Charaktere konnten mich überzeugen.
Fazit: Leider genauso nichtssagend wie Band eins
September 27, 2019
Better than the first one in my opinion but the subject matter is still not really my thing. I really love the cover art of is series and I love the advanced technology ideas that were discussed in the book, such as "the cube."
Not my favorite but a good read nonetheless!
Not my favorite but a good read nonetheless!
September 29, 2020
4.5 stars it wasn't bad I actually liked it but wish there was a better ending
May 14, 2018
Excellent narration. This didn’t hold my attention in the same way as book one.
February 1, 2018
(Disclaimer: I received this free book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
This was OMG amazing. If I thought I was in love with the first and its technology and Aly/Kara plotline, this is even better. I loved the ethical conflicts, Kara, Aly, Rhee and all these new side charaacters. It kept me up at night even after I finished the book thinking WOW. This was entirely stunning.
This was OMG amazing. If I thought I was in love with the first and its technology and Aly/Kara plotline, this is even better. I loved the ethical conflicts, Kara, Aly, Rhee and all these new side charaacters. It kept me up at night even after I finished the book thinking WOW. This was entirely stunning.
March 30, 2018
*Source* Library
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Blood of a Thousand Skies is conclusion to the Empress of a Thousand Skies duology. Story picks up right where the first installment left off. The story features four distinctive characters: Kara, Aly, Rhiannon, and Nero. As the story opens, Princess Josselyn Ta'an, who was thought to be dead, is actually alive and living under the name Kara. Since the sister she doesn't remember announced that Josselyn was in fact alive, she's been on the run and hiding from those searching for her with Alyosha Myraz (Aly) former Uniforce soldier who was accused of trying to kill Princess Rhiannon.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Blood of a Thousand Skies is conclusion to the Empress of a Thousand Skies duology. Story picks up right where the first installment left off. The story features four distinctive characters: Kara, Aly, Rhiannon, and Nero. As the story opens, Princess Josselyn Ta'an, who was thought to be dead, is actually alive and living under the name Kara. Since the sister she doesn't remember announced that Josselyn was in fact alive, she's been on the run and hiding from those searching for her with Alyosha Myraz (Aly) former Uniforce soldier who was accused of trying to kill Princess Rhiannon.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
July 19, 2021
This was less confusing than the last book. But still very confusing.
I loved most of the characters and absolutely adored Rhee and Kara!!
I loved most of the characters and absolutely adored Rhee and Kara!!
February 28, 2018
I think...4.25 stars. I want to go 4.5, but I still have some questions, and there were a few things I didn't like enough to drop the rating a bit. If that makes sense. Anyway.
I don't know how to mark spoilers on my phone, so for now, just be warned that spoilers will happen!! I'll update this once I can edit it on my iPad.
I shall start with dislikes:
• Miscommunication plotlines. Far too much of it omg! I'm okay with it sometimes, but this was just irritating. It DID make sense because all our protagonists are stubborn as hell (which I loved), but it just got annoying after a while.
• I like open ended sort of endings, but I really want to know how it all works out. There were tons of issues with things like interplanetary race relations and people who supported Ta'an rule versus Nero being in control. I know it's only a duology, so I know we don't get to find out, but I feel like it will take Josselyn's entire life just to get people to unite again in some way. But maybe that will be get legacy. Hmm. Maybe this isn't such a big negative haha.
• Why is the planet Kara goes to (Ralire, I think?) not on the map at the beginning?! Meh.
• I guess it's part of the miscommunication thing, but a lot of times it seemed like things could have been done faster/more effectively if they'd just said what they meant?! If that even makes sense?! Idk. sometimes things characters did or places they went seemed unnecessary at first. Yes, we learned valuable things once they got there, but it's kind of confusing for the reader. Like when Alyosha learns the overwriter is on Wraeta but Kara is en route to Ralire to find said overwriter. It seems like a wasted trip at first. Eventually it makes sense, but I guess I was just resistant at first, so it seemed the story dragged a bit there. I'm getting a bit nitpicky. I should probably up my rating lol.
LIKES!!
• All the things!!
• The characters were so much more real to me this time around! I'm thinking I might just been in a bad mood/place when I read the first book, because I didn't have any of the same complaints this time.
• Dahlen. I feel like I get him now. At first, I was just coming off seeing a thousand books trying to be throne of glass and acotar, and Dahlen just seemed like a Rowan clone with his white hair and tattoos and pointed ears. But I guess the Fontisians are just fae-like in appearance and nature. Rhee says something broke inside him when he had to turn his cube on, so maybe that's it. Maybe I'm just remembering him before he was broken, and I just like him better now. Either way, I was CRUSHED when he died!! Crushed in the best way. For me, I'd just learned to love him and he was ripped away and ughhhhh so good. It was really nice to see his relationship with Rhee evolve into this loyal, protective sort of friendship. After he does, Rhee reflects on how much she learned from Dahlen and how she's a better person for having known him and it was just so beautifully done!! Love.
• Rhee! I really liked her more this time around. I felt like I understood her motivations and stubbornness better. She took responsibility for her mistakes and begged forgiveness from people she wronged. It was lovely to see such character grown over just two books.
• Breaking in the middle of my character review to remember to say a thing... I struggle with character-driven narratives (this isn't one), so I think it's difficult to make me love characters so much I want another book just to see what they'll do. But this plot was crazy and fast-paced and I appreciate it.
I NEED TO NOM! I SHALL RETURN FOR MORE!!
I don't know how to mark spoilers on my phone, so for now, just be warned that spoilers will happen!! I'll update this once I can edit it on my iPad.
I shall start with dislikes:
• Miscommunication plotlines. Far too much of it omg! I'm okay with it sometimes, but this was just irritating. It DID make sense because all our protagonists are stubborn as hell (which I loved), but it just got annoying after a while.
• I like open ended sort of endings, but I really want to know how it all works out. There were tons of issues with things like interplanetary race relations and people who supported Ta'an rule versus Nero being in control. I know it's only a duology, so I know we don't get to find out, but I feel like it will take Josselyn's entire life just to get people to unite again in some way. But maybe that will be get legacy. Hmm. Maybe this isn't such a big negative haha.
• Why is the planet Kara goes to (Ralire, I think?) not on the map at the beginning?! Meh.
• I guess it's part of the miscommunication thing, but a lot of times it seemed like things could have been done faster/more effectively if they'd just said what they meant?! If that even makes sense?! Idk. sometimes things characters did or places they went seemed unnecessary at first. Yes, we learned valuable things once they got there, but it's kind of confusing for the reader. Like when Alyosha learns the overwriter is on Wraeta but Kara is en route to Ralire to find said overwriter. It seems like a wasted trip at first. Eventually it makes sense, but I guess I was just resistant at first, so it seemed the story dragged a bit there. I'm getting a bit nitpicky. I should probably up my rating lol.
LIKES!!
• All the things!!
• The characters were so much more real to me this time around! I'm thinking I might just been in a bad mood/place when I read the first book, because I didn't have any of the same complaints this time.
• Dahlen. I feel like I get him now. At first, I was just coming off seeing a thousand books trying to be throne of glass and acotar, and Dahlen just seemed like a Rowan clone with his white hair and tattoos and pointed ears. But I guess the Fontisians are just fae-like in appearance and nature. Rhee says something broke inside him when he had to turn his cube on, so maybe that's it. Maybe I'm just remembering him before he was broken, and I just like him better now. Either way, I was CRUSHED when he died!! Crushed in the best way. For me, I'd just learned to love him and he was ripped away and ughhhhh so good. It was really nice to see his relationship with Rhee evolve into this loyal, protective sort of friendship. After he does, Rhee reflects on how much she learned from Dahlen and how she's a better person for having known him and it was just so beautifully done!! Love.
• Rhee! I really liked her more this time around. I felt like I understood her motivations and stubbornness better. She took responsibility for her mistakes and begged forgiveness from people she wronged. It was lovely to see such character grown over just two books.
• Breaking in the middle of my character review to remember to say a thing... I struggle with character-driven narratives (this isn't one), so I think it's difficult to make me love characters so much I want another book just to see what they'll do. But this plot was crazy and fast-paced and I appreciate it.
I NEED TO NOM! I SHALL RETURN FOR MORE!!
September 6, 2020
The first thing you have to know is that Belleza can write, but I didn't care for some of the things in the story (personal opinion), so while my enjoyment was less than 2 stars, the writing is definitely better than that.
The second thing you should know is that while I regularly suspend my disbelief while reading science fiction (it is fiction, after all), some things go beyond my ability to suspend enough. I will give you one example that you can't see unless you click on
As far as I can tell, this is a duology because of how this book ends, and I do hope Bellaza comes out with more books; I liked the first one.
Long story short, Kara, Alyosha and Rhee are just where they were at the end of the first book, along with a few other characters. Trouble is brewing as those fomenting it are continuing with there nefarious plans; both sisters want it to stop, but they are separated by space and years (read the first book to know more). The question is, will K, R and A manage to help save the day?
The second thing you should know is that while I regularly suspend my disbelief while reading science fiction (it is fiction, after all), some things go beyond my ability to suspend enough. I will give you one example that you can't see unless you click on
As far as I can tell, this is a duology because of how this book ends, and I do hope Bellaza comes out with more books; I liked the first one.
Long story short, Kara, Alyosha and Rhee are just where they were at the end of the first book, along with a few other characters. Trouble is brewing as those fomenting it are continuing with there nefarious plans; both sisters want it to stop, but they are separated by space and years (read the first book to know more). The question is, will K, R and A manage to help save the day?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews