For my thoughts on Volume 1, please read here.
I don’t want to echo everything I said in my first review, so I shall assume you have read it. Volume 2 builds upon Volume 1 well and develops the relationships further.
There’s a focus on the family in this one although the Dupre are still staying, against their nomadic nature, which adds a nice layer of tension. The growing bond between Nyra and Camille is cute to see and I really hope it progresses. Things feel unhurried and natural. Not a lot from Toben in this volume which I thought was a shame.
There’s a lot more backstory in this volume too but there are still many unanswered questions. The aunt becomes more of a villain without further character development which feels like an oversight. I’d love to know her motivations! Hopefully, we’ll find out in the next instalment.
There’s a generous amount of time dedicated to Dendro, the plant demon, which I don’t dislike but at times feels disproportionate. I enjoy the character but her backstory overwhelms the narrative, slowing the pace and detracting from the main plot line. It will be interesting to see how this merges with the main plot.
Lots to think about as we head into Volume 3!
| Criteria | Scores | Our Score |
|---|---|---|
| Artistic Achievement | 1-5 | 4 |
| Pacing | 1-5 | 4 |
| Characters | 1-5 | 5 |
| Writing Style | 1-5 | 3 |
| Originality | 1-5 | 2 |
Final Grade
B
Written By: ivetafox
Favourite Game – Long Live the Queen || Favourite Film – Sweeney Todd || Favourite Book – Wuthering Heights
About: Ivy is a disabled, autistic writer from the UK, passionate about inclusive gaming. When not reviewing, she can be found writing short stories and micro fiction or reading the latest gothic novel.
Donate: https://ko-fi.com/storiesbyivy
