The Ever Cruel Kingdom

No one touch me. I’m not okay. <br /><br />Full review to follow.

Is there a support group after reading this? I think I need one. I fucking LOVED THIS. I'm curious if there's ever going to be a spin-off series, because I can see a lot of potential for one! <br />

<b>Rin Chupeco did it again, y'all!</b>

More of a 4.5 but I’m rounding up. <br /><br />The Never Tilting World was a very unique kind of fantasy world that I read last year and really enjoyed, so I was very much looking forward to this sequel/finale. I was so glad to find the audiobook and I’m happy that this one turned out to be equally wonderful to listen to. <br /><br />The first thing I noticed about this book was that it felt much more fast paced than its predecessor. Once I started, I really flew through it and the multiple narrators also made it a very enjoyable experience. The writing was very crisp too, with wonderful descriptions of the changing landscape due to the turning of the world, as well as the gruesomeness of the monsters whom the characters have to constantly fight. The fight sequences where every person with a power got to show their abilities were written excellently and despite multiple such scenes, each of them felt different in its own way. There weren’t many plot twists this time, and I loved that most of the story involved multiple groups of people who completely distrust or hate each other having to work together for the sake of the greater good. There was also a lot of analyzing clues from poems involved, which is always a cool concept and kinda fun. <br /><br />It was actually nice to finally see all the characters come together in this one. Odessa and Haidee share an instant connection as soon as they meet, and I completely adored their absolute love and trust in each other. Despite dangerous circumstances and the possibility of them having to make sacrifices, they don’t shy away from wanting to be better than their mothers to resolve the issues with their world, and it was highly admirable. Lan and Arjun similarly turned out to be great partners, always supportive of the sisters but also bringing them back from the brink when something disastrous happened. I also liked that both of them formed their own kind of bond, owing to the similarities of their situations. <br /><br />We finally get to know more of the backstory of Asteria and Latona, and how the Breaking happened and while it was easy to hate them in the first book, getting to know them better definitely elicited more sympathy from me. It’s a great story of how misunderstandings and maybe even jealousy can cause rifts between two people who love each other very much, and I was impressed with the contrast that the author was able to show between the relationships of the mothers vs that of their daughters. There were also many other side characters who got good arcs, and I particularly enjoyed the banter between Vanya and Lisette, and also loved seeing Sonfei back. <br /><br />I still remember the author mentioning in their note in the first book that they decided to create this world which is always waylaid by natural disasters because Philippines is always suffering from the drastic effects of climate change, and Rin wanted to bring that helplessness that the residents have to deal with to life in this series. And expanding on that, they show us in this finale how those in power exploit the world’s natural resources, but when they realize that their actions are destroying the world itself, they decide to take an easy way out and sacrifice young women instead of doing the actual work to create more sustainable practices. This felt so much like what corporations and politicians are doing in our life, asking normal people to make everyday life changes instead of taking more substantial impactful measures at a larger scale. <br /><br />In the end, this was a very fitting end to the story with everyone having to make their own kind of sacrifices to create a better world, and I think that’s a lesson everyone can remember. If you are interested in a fantasy which explores interesting familial relationships as well as a fascinating world which is an allegory to the ravages of climate change, then this is perfect for you. It is thought provoking as well as exciting, sometimes desperate but always with a light at the end of the tunnel - and so full of love.

☆ 3.5 / 5 ☆<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3443841889" rel="nofollow noopener">The Never Tilting World</a>: 4 / 5<br /><br />Rating this book was a little difficult because I had some conflicting feelings. I still absolutely love all of the characters and their relationships, the growth and complexities explored in this book were truly wonderful, but I felt like the plot let me down a little.<br /><br />We pick right back up at the Great Abyss where Odess, Lan, Haidee, and Arjun are still fighting to get out alive. The twins are reunited, the world starts spinning again, and yet, it seems like a sacrifice is still needed. Haidee and Odessa are looking for answers while coming to terms with the lies they’ve been told all their lives, and Odessa is still plagued by the shadows of what she’s done. What they seek though is not within their grasp and they might have to explore the underworld itself to find a way to heal the world.<br /><br />For some reason I just had a huge disconnect with the plot and I was pretty disinterested in a lot of the action, but I still loved the route it took and the ending? They’re pretty confusing feelings to have. Maybe it was because of the expectations I had more than anything else. I think the only concrete comparison I can make with the first one is that now all of the cast of characters is together so there isn’t as much contrast between storylines and differentiation between POVs like in the first one.<br /><br />Now for the things I truly loved! I’m still so attached to these characters and their journey and growth in this book was simply amazing. Haidee and Odessa obviously have to come to terms with finding each other and with the revelations that came with that, but we also see a lot of Lan’s and Arjun’s own grief and healing. Haidee and Odessa’s bond was so wonderful to see, especially with how unconditionally they love each other despite the world wanting to pit them against one another. Coming together despite circumstances, sisterhood, and motherhood are so prevalent here especially with Asteria’s and Latona’s arcs. The approach Rin Chupeco chose for them was honestly so well handled and brought so much depth to their characters. In some way it’s always a question of choice, of trying to make the best one in impossible circumstances, of not having it, and of taking back the agency of having one. But the most powerful choice any of them can make is to love each other.<br /><br />I was very intrigued by all the new things we learnt about the goddesses and the lore that came with that and I still loved the world building in this. There’s definitely still an emphasis on climate change and how humans and their choices impact their environment, and how quick fixes are favoured over sustainable solutions. With Aeon spinning again it offers a different take from the stark contrast between the Golden City and Aranth while still showing extreme weather conditions. For some reason it also really got to me when our characters get to witness a sunset for the first time in their lives, it truly made me a little emotional!! <br /><br />Overall I still really enjoyed this book but not quite as much as the first one. I think Rin Chupeco crafted an incredible world with this duology and character relationships that will stay close to my heart.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE1kZZ4FraiQm5rO0KMaD0w" rel="nofollow noopener">Youtube</a> ☆ <a href="https://twitter.com/maelysreads" rel="nofollow noopener">Twitter</a>

Do I think that this duology could have been made into a standalone book? Yes. Did I still really love the character development, the use of tropes and did the ending make me cry? Also yes! Possible RTC?<br /><br /><b>Want more sapphic books? You can find me here: <a href="https://altheaisreading.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Book Blog</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/altheaisreading" rel="nofollow noopener">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/altheaisreading/" rel="nofollow noopener">Instagram</a></b><br /><br />

I'm glad I finished this duology but even though I rated the first book 4 stars, this series is more of a 3 stars for me. I still believe the best parts were the characters and romance. In this one, I was hoping that I would understand the world/plot better but I was still a little unclear of what was going on and why sometimes. However, I really liked the ending as it wasn't perfect for the characters but they did the best that they could. <br />

<b>3 stars.</b><br /><br />Ahhhh I actually feel so conflicted about this book :') I'm feeling so many emotions yet nothing (+ confusion) at the same time lolol<br /><br />Okay firstly, I definitely enjoyed the characters + character development, as well as all the complex relationships in this book. All of the characters were all so well-developed and messy and <i>HUMAN</i> and you can't help but love them for it &lt;3 I could really feel the unconditional love the characters have for each other ? I appreciated the nuance and consideration that went into showing the true complexity of all sorts of relationships present in this book - mother/daughter, sister, platonic, and romantic. The sisterly relationship between Haidee &amp; Odessa, as well as their mothers, really did hit me hard, especially near the end :') <br /><br />Speaking of characters, though, <i>The Ever Cruel Kingdom</i> was told from 4 POVs and I honestly got SO confused. And I'm not sure why, because the first book (<i>The Never Tilting World</i>) was also told from the same 4 POVs and that wasn't a problem for me then, but in this book, it was a huge issue lmao :') like I genuinely would not know who was narrating the chapter and would have to check the chapter title like 293843 times throughout the course of me reading the chapter lolol ? It got to the point where in a certain scene, I thought I was reading from Odessa's perspective the entire time and then the narrator went to kiss Haidee's love interest and *that* was when I realized it was actually from Haidee's perspective aslkdjflskdj lmao,, the struggle is real.<br /><br />For most of the book, I was also really confused at the storyline, world-building and plot. It might just be due to my lack of brain cells at this point of the year LOL, but I actually could not follow where the plot was going and why the characters were doing certain things to save Aeon or whatever, like I was honestly just skimming through the plot points and reading this book just for the characters oops. (.....yes confusion was definitely one of my more prominent moods while reading this book. i'm pretty sure that's a me problem though, and not entirely the book's fault! i think i'm just not in the best headspace to consume high fantasy rn)<br /><br />Overall, I did enjoy the first book of this duology more! But as for this book, I still love the characters and the way they would do absolutely anything for each other (even though that did break my heart at times). And although I did get really confused at the plot, I'm still in awe at how much thought Rin Chuepco put into developing this book's world and setting - it's truly fascinating and intriguing and I was very captivated by it! I'd definitely recommend this book (&amp; series) for its three-dimensional characters and wonderfully developed relationships :)

This ending. I am just... I cried when it ended. Rin always nails endings. Bittersweet in the best way possible. I have too many feels. <br /><br /><i>The Ever Cruel Kingdom</i> picks up right where the previous book leaves off. Haidee, Odessa and company are transported to outside the Golden City with the portal in Brighthenge. The twins expect to see the world righted now that it's turning again, but things seem even more dire. The creatures from the abyss will keep coming until the sacrifice is completed. The twins will have to descend to the underworld to find the answers. <br /><br />This was wild. I loved the addition of Lisette and seeing more of the tribes that live outside the Golden City. I loved seeing Haidee and Odessa work together and getting a chance to deepen their sibling bond. I loved how they constantly finished each others sentences and could enhance the other's magic. I just freaking love these two SO DAMN MUCH.<br /><br />The mythology that we see in the first book is really delved into with this installment. We see what the twin goddesses are meant to do and what happened to the first twins. Overall, this duology is amazing and I CANNOT recommend it enough. <br /><br /><i>Rep: Chronically ill sapphic MC, Asian coded sapphic (lesbian coded) MC suffering from PTSD, disabled POC MC that is missing one of his hands. Main side character introduced is bisexual. I believe most the characters are POC but I'm not 100% certain.<br /><br />CWs: Violence, blood, animal death, cannibalism, death, death of parent, gaslighting, emotional abuse, grief, sexual content, mental illness (PTSD), murder.</i>

<b>Rep:</b> lesbian mc with PTSD, lesbian mc, amputee mc, bi side character