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Chloe Frizzle's Reviews > The Book That Broke the World
The Book That Broke the World (The Library Trilogy, #2)
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Chloe Frizzle's review
bookshelves: 0-series, 1-arc-advanced-reader-copies, z-twentyfour, 3-watch-for-a-sequel, 8-high-fantasy, 9-dnf-did-not-finish, chiffon-yellow-i-a
Apr 07, 2024
bookshelves: 0-series, 1-arc-advanced-reader-copies, z-twentyfour, 3-watch-for-a-sequel, 8-high-fantasy, 9-dnf-did-not-finish, chiffon-yellow-i-a
My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined. After book 1 was so good, how is the sequel so bad?
Now, I've very aware that this is going to be an unpopular opinion. The main difference between book 1 and 2 is that while book 1 was very character-led, this one is more focused on exploring the ideological war of knowledge thru yanking the characters around. You can see the emphasis in other people's reviews on praising the brain-breaking worldbuilding and thematic depth. That is not going to be in this one.
I think a microcosm for why I hated this book is in our new POV character: Celcha. She is a slave (with a new fantasy race) who is put to work in the library. There is supposed to be a mystery with her but the book blatantly gives too many hints and spoils itself. No more intrigue. Can you root for her? Also no, because she doesn't do anything but react. Oh no, slavery is bad! She gets manipulated, and none of her decisions mean anything because she isn't really making any informed decisions. Celcha's plotline is consistently boring, and adds nothing to the narrative except thematic depth and worldbuilding.
I need some actual character development and compelling plot to enjoy something, and this book gave me nothing. In the end, it felt like we were in the same spot as the beginning of the book. Except I care much less about all of the characters.
This book also tried to pull off not one but two romances. Not enough really given for me to believe in them or be invested.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ace for a copy to review. All opinions are my own.
Now, I've very aware that this is going to be an unpopular opinion. The main difference between book 1 and 2 is that while book 1 was very character-led, this one is more focused on exploring the ideological war of knowledge thru yanking the characters around. You can see the emphasis in other people's reviews on praising the brain-breaking worldbuilding and thematic depth. That is not going to be in this one.
I think a microcosm for why I hated this book is in our new POV character: Celcha. She is a slave (with a new fantasy race) who is put to work in the library. There is supposed to be a mystery with her but the book blatantly gives too many hints and spoils itself. No more intrigue. Can you root for her? Also no, because she doesn't do anything but react. Oh no, slavery is bad! She gets manipulated, and none of her decisions mean anything because she isn't really making any informed decisions. Celcha's plotline is consistently boring, and adds nothing to the narrative except thematic depth and worldbuilding.
I need some actual character development and compelling plot to enjoy something, and this book gave me nothing. In the end, it felt like we were in the same spot as the beginning of the book. Except I care much less about all of the characters.
This book also tried to pull off not one but two romances. Not enough really given for me to believe in them or be invested.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ace for a copy to review. All opinions are my own.
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Reading Progress
March 28, 2024
–
Started Reading
March 28, 2024
– Shelved
March 28, 2024
– Shelved as:
1-arc-advanced-reader-copies
March 28, 2024
– Shelved as:
0-series
April 7, 2024
– Shelved as:
z-twentyfour
April 7, 2024
– Shelved as:
3-watch-for-a-sequel
April 7, 2024
– Shelved as:
8-high-fantasy
April 7, 2024
– Shelved as:
9-dnf-did-not-finish
April 7, 2024
– Shelved as:
chiffon-yellow-i-a
April 7, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-9 of 9 (9 new)
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Tiffany
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Apr 08, 2024 01:18AM
Aw I’m sad it didn’t work out for you! I’m hoping I’ll fare better when I get the book in my hands.
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Oh man! I loved the first book as well! I’ll still read it but I’ll not set my expectations too high
It was a similar experience for me. I was intrested in Celecha and wanted to find more about her and her brother, but their revelations felt too rushed. But I had a bit of fun with what I called "cat ex machina".
I don't think the book was so bad to give it 2 stars, but it did miss a little 'umpf' that the first book had. The backstory of Celcha is way to similar to Livira's (possibly intended), which made it seem like you were reading parts of the first book again, wondering why...
I agree. Loved the first book so much and this one was quite disappointing. It's not horribly bad but it didn't live up to my expectations after Book that wouldn't burn at all. And you're right that plot wise there's almost nothing - it feels like a filler and I hope the third book will be absolutely amazing to justify it.
I think two stars might even be too high of a rating...
I can’t believe that I’m admitting this but it was a DNF for me. I dove into the first book and was wrapped up in the story. I finished it and was eagerly anticipating the second installment. At 40 percent through the audiobook, I started to question if I wasn’t enjoying it because I had a physical book for the first one and I tried to keep going. But I couldn’t, it was such a let down. I wasn’t connecting with Celcha’s story and had a hard time figuring out how this second book was furthering the story/my interest in these characters or outcomes. Maybe book 3 will be better or at least motivate me to be more vested.
I felt the same exact way, and was so disappointed.
I'm halfway into it & it's a slog compared to vol 1. I came into these reviews to see if anyone else was feeling the same way - your criticisms are the same as mine.
