Review: All That Burns by Ryan Graudin

 

Release Date: February 10, 2015

Publisher:  Harper
Pages: 464
Source: ARC from giveaway (Thank you, Ryan!)

ISBN-10:      0062187430

Rating: 5 Hearts

Book Description

"In this thrilling sequel to All That Glows, the worlds of magic and mortal are colliding as London celebrates its new king, marking an era of unity between the Faery realm and the human one. Emrys, the Faery guard to the British royal family, sacrificed her powers to be with King Richard, choosing love over immortality. But now, as Emrys struggles to navigate her place between the Faery queen’s court and London’s lavish galas, danger looms beyond the Thames.When a prisoner with dark, strange magic breaks out of Queen Titania’s labyrinthine prison, endangering Emrys's king and sparking an uprising, Emrys must make the hardest decision of all.

Will she reclaim her magic to save Richard’s life and lose him forever? Or stay powerless as the kingdom goes down in flames?"

Review

Short and Sweet:

I absolutely loved the strong emotional development and plot line. I finished this in a mess of feels.   

To Elaborate... 

When I first heard about this sequel, I was EXTREMELY hesitant. I read and loved All That Glows as a standalone. When I saw that a sequel was releasing, I was very confused and full of side eye. 

 

However, after reading the sequel, wow. For me, this was one of the stories that I didn't realize just how badly it needed a sequel until I started reading it. No spoilers, but All That Glows leaves off pretty happily, and I was just as happy to have the characters I love end in a good place. Silly me, I didn't think it through as to how complicated everyone's lives would be after the ending, and how it couldn't really end there. (If that makes sense). Ryan Graudin absolutely blew me away with this sequel. The character development is some of the best I've seen, and I can't get enough of the beautiful and emotional writing Graudin delivers. My heart hurt so badly during so much of this story, but it was all completely worth it to get the rest of the story needed for these characters.  

The only thing I wanted a little more from this book was Richard. He wasn't actually present very often (for good reason), and I understand why so much of what I love in this story comes from him being absent, but I just love him and his records. His sister, Belle, plays a stronger role than in the first book though, and I really enjoyed getting to know her character more. I especially like the friendship between her and Emrys. 

If you were hesitant like me initally about having a sequel for All That Glows, don't be! I can't recommend this series or this author enough. After loving her other recent release, The Walled City, she is officially on my list of authors whose work I will buy no matter what.         



5 Hearts!