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1 star, liked even less than book one. Spoiler free review!
So I read the sequel because I already owned a copy and they're beautiful and I wanted to give this duology every chance it could have for me to love it, but I didn't. I hated it. The sequel had everything about the first book I didn't like and even more things I hated:
The male love interest is everything I don't like about "alphaholes" rolled into one. Can't learn to let a girl take care of herself. Can't listen to a girl's boundaries. Can't understand when to stop doing bad things. Literally has two completely different personalities that the author doesn't reconcile well, not enough of a back story and not enough of a separation/explanation for his actions, it's just not done well.
The plot is once again... I don't know where? It's just random and each mini-plot was easily wrapped up. The pacing felt like a long, dragging drive, versus an exciting edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster like I prefer.
The only thing I like was the ending. Maybe because I was so ready for it to end, but also because I can appreciate a good family moment. The intertwining of the family aspects into this story was probably the only thing I appreciated.
The side characters were again lacking, uninteresting, and forgettable.
I really just hate read this book at this point because I own such a beautiful copy of it and since it was only a duology I felt like I should just go ahead and finish the series.
Do not recommend if you like good romance in fantasy. Do not recommend if you prefer obstacle-full, well-paced plots. Do not recommend if you like fully flushed out side characters that you love just as much as the MC's. Do not recommend if you like a kick-ass, well developed, growing main character. Basically... I do not recommend.
More for Namesake:
Buy it on Amazon!
Check it out on Goodreads!
Check out Adrienne Young's other books: Sky in the Deep, The Girl the Sea Gave Back, The Last Legacy
If you liked this, then you may like (or like much more = me):
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Graceling by Kristin Cashore