Book Review | A Gathering of Shadows

[@Amanda-nq6mw]

I completely agree with you about book two. I hate Lila so much and she drove me crazy. The ending also felt a little bit recycled from the first one. I've heard in reviews that you still don't get that back story stuff, which is why I won't read the last one. But definitely read it and see what you think

[@ConnorOBrien]

haha yeah it definitely had that recycled feeling for me too. You just want to make me suffer! I have to look up some reviews because if there is no backstories ever, I'm out.

[@Ann86dk]

I completely agree about the characters. I think that's why Lila annoys me so much. We know nothing about what happened up until this point. Maybe she just acts stupidly because she want to, but usually there's a reason, and then at least we're able to decide if it justify her actions. I agree that the biggest pro is her writings style - and her really interesting plots/magic systems. Problem is she doesn't really do anything with the plot/premise she set for herself, and instead I end up being super bored and finding it a chore to actually picking it up.

[@ConnorOBrien]

Yes! We're in complete agreement about Lila and why I can't understand why she's so dumb. I wish Schwab would come up with some cooler twists and turns or maybe just explore some better concepts within her worlds. Meh

[@megurineluka2767]

Awesome books. Couldn't put those down

[@ConnorOBrien]

Hmm I hope I like the third one better.

[@Zero-dn9tf]

In the last book there Was backstory on Lila... Her moms dead and her dad tried to sell her to man.

[@JudyHaJr]

I've heard many people say that they feel that the characters fall too flat for them when they don't know too much about them but personally for me, I think it ads to the mystery. I don't like to know too much about them too fast and personally I was really invested to the characters. But the 2nd book wasn't that good for me either. I felt that it took like half of the book for the actual plot to start and then ended in a cliffhanger in a way so the 2nd book was really only a build up for the 3rd book. Like you said, the potential really is there, the world that has been build for the books is amazing but for me the driving force through the series unfortunately was the world and the characters, not so much the plot. But personally, I think book 3 makes up for book 2, at least a little bit so it's definitely worth a read :)

[@ploxdedits9721]

Nice video Connor I'm going to Florida I hope I can meet you

[@ConnorOBrien]

Thanks Gabe! I hope you have a great time in FL!

[@gamer46ful]

I just finished this book and I had similar problems with this as you did. 100% agree that this trilogy should actually be a duology. This book was so slow paced and boring compared to the first one. I really loved the first book cause it was exciting and fun and action packed but with solid world building and characters I liked. This book just kind of took it's time and didn't do anything interesting or exciting. It was really predictable and I wasn't a fan so honestly this is a 3 out of 5 for me. Cause not everything is bad and it is well written but I just felt kind of underwhelmed by how bored and little there was in a book that is 500 pages long and when everything happens I wasn't shocked. Also I was not a fan of the tournament. For one I don't enjoy tournament storylines but also it was kind of glossed over so it was kind of whatever. I never got invested in the Elemental Games and found it to be kind of pointless to the overall plot. I'm hoping the 3rd book is incredible but as it stands this was the weak middle book that doesn't add much nor do anything to really wow me.

[@BooksandLooks]

This is at the top of my TBR and I have been putting it off for some reason haha. AH predictable!!! Oh no! No backstory! AHH! Those are the my two biggest peeves!!!

[@ConnorOBrien]

Yeah not the best at all lol

[@JashanaC]

New subscriber here. :-D Aww man! I really liked it. :-) I gather that Lila is the way she is because of being kind of neglected as a kid. Like where she talks about her dad trying to sell her and such. I think she's just a hardened person & a bit foolhardy from being alone for so long. I enjoy her as a character because I'm kind of sick of characters who have difficult pasts and are terribly terribly affected by it - like irreparably wounded and need someone to fix their broken little soul/heart. For me, she seems like the type who is just like, "Well, this is the way things are! It's fine! Just want to live my life to the fullest, and eff worrying about what bad things might happen!" Which can indeed make her do stupid, ill-planned things sometimes. Always interesting to see such differing views - you're clearly not alone as I can see in the comments! :-) Maybe I'm the lone wolf who enjoyed it!

[@ConnorOBrien]

+Jashana C Welcome!! I viewed Lila as one of those damaged characters since she always tries to run from any notion of setting down roots or being close to anyone. Funny how two people interpret the same character so differently! She actually seemed a little like a less fleshed-out Vin (Mistborn) to me. I know so many people who LOVE these characters and books, so you are definitely not alone! 😄

[@andrewannotates]

You just know what’s going to happen from, you know, having a brain. Hahaha