Rant Review: "The Night and Its Moon" by Piper CJ
Quick Summary
Type: Novel, Book 1 in series of the same name
Genre: Fiction, fantasy, romance, LGBTQIA+
Back Cover: "An addictive fantasy romance from TikTok sensation Piper CJ, now newly revised and edited. Two orphans grow into powerful young women as they face countless threats to find their way back to each other." Read Time: 11.7 weeks
Rating: 1 star
Review
I hate this.
I say that in the present tense because the only way I'll be able to finish this book is if I write this review in real-time.
Now, in all fairness, I started reading this novel knowing it would be bad. I saw a scathing review of it on YouTube, and since critically reading bad books is a good way to get better at writing, I decided to give it a go. And while I've considered giving up on it many times, I won't let this author beat me.
I'm actually taking notes on this, so I'll go chapter by chapter.
Prologue
I don't think a prologue was strictly necessary in this story. I feel like all the important information in the climax could have been told in various flashbacks during the first few chapters. But the prologue does introduce an important (annoying) stylistic choice by the author. The author writes very long, tiring sentences all the time. Not only that, but she attempts to write very flowery, poetic prose that only ends up being awkward and, at times, so confusing as to be objectively incorrect. For example, we get this line:
"She huddled against the high, whistling noises of wind on the windows, conjuring visions of ghosts and dark fae with sharp teeth and long talons." (p12)
But how can anyone huddle against the sound of wind?
I will say that the introduction of the Gray Matron is quite natural, although pretty much every other mention of the Gray Matron leads to some amount of confusion as the Gray Matron is at times referred to as the Gray Matron, Matron Agnes, and just Agnes. It took me a few chapters to realize they might be the same person, and a few more to confirm that fact. In this chapter, and this chapter only, Matron Agnes speaks with very poor grammar. She never does it afterwards. The author also seems to try to make Matron Agnes a morally gray character, but if that's the case, she's failing. It's not morally gray, it's just confusing.
The last thing about the prologue is that things 'seem' and 'appear' all the time. This adds to some of the tedium in the writing, and is part of the reason why I think flashbacks written in a dreamlike-style and integrated into later chapters would have served the narrative better than this prologue.
Chapter 1
Almost immediately, the first chapter started getting repetitive. Take, for example, the following sentence:
“There was no such thing as a day without chores, but occasionally the goddess smiled down on the children and allowed a break from the toils of life in Farleigh. The list of dos and don’ts before enjoying the pleasure of a free afternoon was exhausting.” (p24)
From the first sentence, I was able to figure out that they have an exhausting amount of chores and rarely have a break, so I didn’t need to be explicitly told in the second sentence. Also, not that it matters all too much, but "don'ts" are typically rules, not chores.
This chapter also has a few contradictions. For example, in one sentence Nox claims she's tired and just wants to lie down away from her peers. In the next breath, she wants to hang out with Amaris. This type of contradiction happens all the time.
Here's another example of one of those really awkward sentences that makes it sound like the author is more concerned with flowery prose than making actual sense:
“One of her least favorite frogs, a boy named Achard, was splashing a pair of freckled sisters rather obnoxiously from where they sat on the shore.” (p25)
First of all, I don't remember any of the other kids being referred to as 'frogs' before this sentence. Also, how can Achard splash the girls from where they're sitting on the shore? That doesn't really work physically.
At the end of the chapter, my overall impression (besides the tiring, repetitive, awkward writing) is that I've learned more about Amaris despite the fact that this chapter is from Nox's point of view.
Chapters 2 & 3
Nox posits at the beginning of the chapter that the first of the month is her favorite day because she doesn't have to do anything. This statement is immediately contradicted by her needing to attend to the Gray Matron and the bishop on his visit to the orphanage. Now, we later learn that the real reason she likes the first of the month so much is because after attending to the bishop, Nox gets to hide in a corner of the orphanage with Amaris all day. But why not just say that?
The rest of the chapter was just about why Nox had to hide Amaris from the bishop. But the whole chapter was so confusing and contradictory that I couldn't really make out much.
So onto the next chapter and...for some reason we're still on the bishop's visit? Why couldn't this have been wrapped into the previous chapter? Or better yet, why not make the important parts of these early chapters flashbacks in later chapters and cut out all the boring stuff? Why did I have to suffer through this drudgery?
And don't get me started on all the stupidity of Nox's flogging. As reviews I've seen have pointed out, it is a little problematic that the person of color takes the flogging to spare the perfect white character. But it was also stupid. Nox could just have blamed it on the boys that attacked her and Amaris, or she and Amaris could have hidden somewhere outside, maybe by that pond that was mentioned only once for no reason.
Chapter 4
What the hell was the point of this chapter?
It didn't even add anything to the story or to characterization or anything.
Was this just so Piper CJ could write 'prettily'? If so, mission not succeeded.
Chapter 5
Things are finally getting started. I'm not sure why the author couldn't start here and sprinkled in flashbacks, but I'm sure she had her reasons (I believe authors are paid by the page if they self-publish on Amazon).
One thing about this chapter is that the author is finding a lot of ways to call Amaris 'white', comparing her skin to ice, snow, the moon, etc. In fact, her nickname is actually "Snowflake". Even her tears are silver. It's getting a little ridiculous.
Finally, my last issue is with the introduction of Madame Millicent. Nox makes it clear that she's never seen Madame Millicent before, so how in the world does she know what Madame Millicent does? It would be one thing if Nox remembered Madame Millicent from previous visits, but she never mentions
any such visits.
Chapter 6
All of a sudden, we switch to Amaris's perspective. I was expecting a switch, but I'm surprised it came after five (four and a half) chapters of Nox's perspective. But because of that, we learn something important: Nox and Amaris sound the same. Of course, they're telling different stories (especially later) but the way they tell a story, even the way the experience emotions, is more or less the same.
Nox is present in the room when Madame Millicent has Amaris strip. And although this part of the story is told from Amaris's point of view, it's implied that Amaris stripping is Nox's worst day ever - something I find surprising considering at one point Nox got whipped for no reason in humiliating process.
And then all of a sudden, halfway through the chapter, the POV switches back to Nox. Completely unnecessary.
Chapters 7, 8, & 9
Something has happened in chapter 6, and now, chapter 7 we’re still on the same day. Seriously, didn’t add anything to the story. All they did was talk about leaving. They didn’t even make a plan. Just talked about it in the stables, where they could have grabbed a horse and left.
Then the beginning of Chapter 8 makes it clear that lots and lots of time is passing, but they’re really not doing much to move forward with their plan - or they are, but it’s taking way too much time. They know they’re on a tight schedule.
And then, while they're freaking out (or supposed to be freaking out) about leaving, suddenly we're getting Matron Mable's life story? The entire point of this is clearly to introduce the reevers, but I feel like there must have been a better way that didn't cut the tension of the chapter.
Finally, in Chapter 9, Amaris gets her first period. And as a response to her first period, she freaks out because she thinks she's dying. But why? How does she not know what a period is? Nox is about three years older, so why didn't she prepare Amaris for her period? Why didn't any of the (female) matrons? Her panic is explained as a byproduct of being in the younger girl's room (she's supposedly around 13 or 14), but on the next page, the author says that some girls as young as 12 or 13 have gotten their periods already. So why did Amaris think she was dying?
I know why Amaris needs to freak out at her period: the Gray Matron needs to be alerted to it. If Amaris knew about periods, she could have hidden her first period and bought herself more time to prepare to run away. The author needed to create a deadline to up the stakes.
Chapter 10
I've realized that part of what bothers me so much of this book is that the plot relies on its characters making stupid decisions. In this example, Nox and Amaris are still wasting time despite having only two weeks before Madame Millicent's arrival. They're not doing anything to prepare to run away, and when they are, they're being choosy about their supplies. They have only two weeks! They can't afford to care what kind of supplies they're stealing, they need to take what they can and go. But of course, that wouldn't work for the plot.
Next, the assassin (later revealed as Odrin the reever) is introduced. The matrons reluctantly give him refuge, but lock him in the basement and lock his weapons in the Gray Matron's office. Nox witnesses this, Amaris does not. Nox also never (in the narrative) tells Amaris any of this. Yet somehow, Amaris just knows that the assassin is locked in the basement. How?
And now for a few nitpicky imagery issues with this chapter:
Apples in a bag do not create angles. They're round.
The assassin is described as covered in scars, armed to the teeth, and injured. He's also described as fatherly.
It's descriptions like those above that make me so annoyed with this book. The author is trying to elicit vivid imagery, but it's so contradictory that the imagery is just not there.
Chapter 11
My first note for this chapter is as follows:
Oh no, the Madame is already there. Who could have seen that coming?
Yes, it's maybe a little surprising that Madame Millicent is a week early. But also, I saw this coming from the moment the two-week deadline was established. Frankly, the way to surprise me would have been to have Madame Millicent show up from Priory in just a couple of days. That would have been a shock (although I'd still be annoyed that they had moved too slowly before Amaris's period).
In all fairness to this chapter, this chapter has my favorite scene so far: Amaris, to prevent from being taken by Madame Millicent, grabs the assassin's knife and carves herself up, thus 'ruining' her worth.
It's immediately ruined by her abandonment of Nox. Amaris completely forgets about her in this moment. There's no "I need to get to Nox", just "Assassin guy, take me with you!". Again, I know the reason for this. Amaris has given Nox an order which, thanks to her persuasion, is something humans can't refuse. Two problems with this: first, it's later revealed that Nox is not human. Why can't succubi resist Amaris's persuasion? Probably just to advance the plot. Second, it would have been easy for Amaris to convince or beg the assassin to take her back to check on Nox. When they found Nox gone, Amaris would safely be able to assume that Nox had run into the forest when she heard the commotion. That would also add more weight to her epiphany about her persuasion in a later chapter.
And finally, why is Amaris trusting her life to a strange man - a confirmed assassin? Once again, the plot is moving forward because of character stupidity, and it's really starting to annoy me. Since Piper CJ is copying so much of The Witcher, couldn't she have incorporated visions of Amaris among the reevers into earlier chapters? Then her absconding with an unknown, potentially dangerous man would make more sense.
Chapter 12
My problem with this chapter is more nitpicky than with other chapters, which was a bit of a refreshing change.
First, the assassin gives Amaris a potion to heal her scars. She asks what it does, and he responds with this absolutely brilliant line:
“It helps knit your insides and outsides.” (p119)
Seriously? I'm supposed to believe that an assassin talks like that? Really?
Odrin also explains that 'Amaris' means 'child of the moon' in a foreign language that he speaks. Earlier, it's explained that the matrons named her 'Amaris' because it means 'gift from the goddess'. How convenient that Amaris's name has two such differing, poetic meanings. My name means 'clear' and pretty much just that. The most generous meaning my name has is 'light', although I did see someone try (and fail) to make the case that 'Claire' means 'charming'. I have a feeling most names are like that with limited meanings.
Finally, Amaris accuses Odrin of being 'sexist'. This is an anachronism. The term 'sexism' was only coined in 1965, and up until now, the descriptions (as well as some of the language used) suggests that this book is set in a medieval fantasy setting (similar to the setting of The Witcher). So with that setting in mind, I was wrenched from the story when Amaris used such a modern word.
Chapter 13
We're once again back to Nox's point of view. She was found lingering outside the back exit of the orphanage. Now, I get why she didn't run. But why the hell didn't Nox hide anywhere? But she didn't, and now she's on the way to Priory with Madame Millicent.
This is where some things concerning time get confusing. It is supposed to take two weeks to get from Priory to the orphanage. However, it takes Madame Millicent only one week. And then, for some insane reason, it only takes a day for Madame Millicent and Nox to return to Priory from the orphanage. What? I'll buy magic, but why didn't the magic work both ways? There's no consistency and no explanation.
Chapters 14, 15, & 16
I didn't have too many comments on Chapter 14, except to say that the writing style, like in other chapters, was incredibly tiring. Also, Amaris sounds extremely childish and selfish.
Now, in Chapter 15, the imagery of the dusk was beautiful and poetic...until it became so tediously repetitive that all beauty and poeticism just disappeared. That's something that bothered me a lot in this book. Every time the author wrote something truly beautiful, she almost immediately ruined her own writing either through excessive repetition, or occasionally by sentences in a tone inconsistent with the beautiful writing.
Also, we get this sentence about Odrin:
“He broke his long traveler’s silence.” (p151)
But my impression of Odrin so far has been that he's actually been pretty chatty with Amaris during the journey to the mountains.
Then Chapter 16 starts off with yet another anachronism, this time the word 'misogynistic'. 'Misogyny' and 'misogynistic' are words that were coined in the 20th century, and not commonly used until the 70s. There were better ways (that the author used) to show how misogynistic the people in this world were. Later in the book, male characters show a lot of hostility towards Amaris, or routinely objectify Nox, and that does a really good job of showing the misogyny of the world. So there is absolutely no need to bring up the actual, anachronistic world.
In this chapter, we also get extremely long descriptions of some of the texts Amaris reads, and it just feels like the author is trying really, really hard to lengthen the text.
Chapter 17
“She wouldn’t require any additional obstacles in garnering their acceptance as she slowly walked into the space.” (p161)
“The table curved inward so the legs of those who sat here would find space beneath its lip before it rejoined the immovable rock below.” (p 162)
What the hell do these sentences mean? On the surface, that first quote doesn't seem too confusing, except that there are no obstacles mentioned beforehand. The second just creates a strange image of a physically impossible table.
There's another anachronism in this chapter too: toffee, which was only invented in 1825.
Also, for whatever reason, Amaris is sure that sitting in front of these reevers is the right move while she pleads her case? Why? Her reasoning does not make sense at all, especially since traditionally, standing in the presence of 'betters' (royalty, judges, etc.) is a sign of respect.
There just wasn't a lot that made sense in this chapter, which was compounded by the confusing, purple prose.
Chapters 18 & 19
Part of the way through this chapter, we have a three year time skip. That's right. All of a sudden, we're three years into the future. And of course, Amaris is the best of them after only three years of training. Never mind that the rest have been training to be reevers their entire life - Amaris is the best, and she's not using her powers. It's a little hard to suspend disbelief on that one. Amaris's name should really be Mary Sue because that's what she is.
Chapters 20, 21, & 22
So finally, we're back to Nox's POV. It's not initially clear if we're in the present or three years in the past. That feeling sticks around until Nox quickly tries to catch the reader up on everything that happened to her in the last three years - she bartended at the brothel for a while, then was forced to have sex for the first time (other words for this include trafficked and raped), killed the guy accidentally, learned she was a succubus (so it's cool that she's forced to have sex, because it's in her nature!), and started using sex to service Madame Millicent's goals. A lot to cram in to such a short time.
Chapter 20 in particular was a mess. We start from Nox's POV, where she's on the prowl - showing that she really enjoys her job, because she's a succubus (so it's cool that she was trafficked). Then we jump to Emily's POV (what?). We learn a little about Emily's role in all of this, and then learn that although Emily was also trafficked, she's proud of her 'profession'. What? She's proud of being forced to be a prostitute, of basically being raped for years? This just seems like another of the author's attempts to make something so problematic not be so bad because the characters are okay with it. It just doesn't land.
And then in Chapter 21, we get the totally unnecessary rape scene in full detail. Why? What was the point? And that's just one of many issues I had with this chapter. Am I really being led to believe that the horny, pervy guys at this brothel are tipping Nox more because they feel bad that she's being harassed? Seriously?
But what annoyed me the most is that while Nox is being raped, she's thinking about Amaris, the person Nox loves. Really? The author couldn't bear to write any negative sentiment towards her self-insert? Because Amaris abandoned Nox to this awful fate. Nox should be furious towards Amaris, resentful of her. But she's not, and that's completely unrealistic.
As for Chapter 22, there was absolutely no need for two whole chapters of flashbacks. It made this section feel clunky and very disorganized.
Chapters 23 & 24
Back to Amaris, and first of all, 'day-drunk' is, once again, a massively anachronistic term. It's almost immediately followed by this great quote:
“although their relationship their particular relationship had taken on an unusual flavor.” (p246)
Either there's some punctuation missing or the word 'relationship' was accidentally written twice, but seriously how was this not caught in editing?
Now, there's not much seriously wrong with Chapter 24, but something brought up in this chapter does bother me. After three years, Samael is the only person besides Amaris who knows what Amaris is and what she can do. But how? All the matrons knew Amaris was fae, so the better-traveled reevers definitely should have figured it out. And given that Amaris is so amazing and undoubtedly slipped up using her powers at some point, her compatriots should have figured something was up. Not to mention, what even is the point of hiding her powers from the others? I still don't get it.
Chapter 25
So now Amaris, Ash, and Malik are off to talk to the Queen. Finally, something is happening (thank God). But almost immediately, I'm confronted with another frustrating demonstration of Amaris's amazing perfection:
“While nearly any reever would have known how to conceal the sound of their feet in the brush, Amaris’s small size and lightweight agility had graced her with particularly feline movements.” (p270)
Like in previous recent chapters, what the reevers can do, Amaris can do better after only three years of training. And just throwing in things like ‘even though her eyes are purple she can’t see in the dark’ does not mean that Amaris is not a Mary-Sue. That’s not how it works. But just because Amaris can't see in the dark doesn't mean she's completely lost; in fact, she can feel a magic dampener that no one else can feel. She's such a special snowflake, isn't she?
And then the very next page, another sentence that makes me wonder if Piper CJ hired an editor or if she just showed it to her cat and told her cat to 'meow once if it's good, meow twice if it's great'. That might be the only explanation for the awfully inconsistent way the characters speak - occasionally formal, occasionally slang-heavy, never matching the vibe of the scene.
But now Amaris has confronted demons, alone, and nearly died (maybe), and her friends are annoyed with her because she didn't wake them up as soon as she felt that something was wrong. And you know what, that's a pretty good point. Why didn’t she wake up her companions? Yes, reevers are supposed to work alone - when they’re alone. She has companions who should be made aware of the danger! And she’s angry at them for being annoyed at her stupidity? And they’re not brushing her off. They’re just pointing out some weird things about her encounter. Of course they believe her, they saw the two demons/fae/whatever.
Anyway, I was so pissed off by this chapter and so deflated by this story in general that I decided to take a break. We'll see if I ever have the strength to pick it back up.
Chapters 26 & 27
I'm finally back to reading this stupid book. Chapter 26 goes back to Nox's POV, and we learn something super important that we should have learned a lot earlier: Madame Millicent lied her ass off about what happened to Amaris and said that the North (Raascot) kidnapped Amaris. For whatever reason, Nox never thought to question Madame Millicent and think 'huh, this lady might be manipulating me for her own purposes, which is likely given what I know about her'.
Also, Emily is being done dirty in this book, especially these two chapters. First, she's called the 'strawberry girl' repeatedly, which is annoying. Second, she seems great, is perfect for Nox (more so than Amaris) but although Nox has apparently no qualms using Emily for sex, she's still hung up on perfect Piper CJ - I mean, Amaris. And knowing that, it makes Nox's concern for Emily seem forced. Point being, Emily deserves much, much better.
And in the same chapter, I hated the interaction between Nox and Madame Millicent. Never mind my gripe about 'greed-laced avarice', which is possibly the most redundant thing I've read in this book so far, but who is in charge here? Madame Millicent is treating Nox as an equal, not a tool. It conflicts with what we've learned previously.
In conclusion, these two chapters, and particularly Chapter 26, might have been the most redundant chapters of the book so far. I read the same things over and over and over again.
Also, I'd love to know what Piper CJ thinks 'intercalation' means. Because she's definitely using it incorrectly in this context.
Chapters 28, 29, & 30
Chapter 28 starts off very disjointed. The author is trying to set the scene, but she jumps from one part of the setting to another with absolutely no transition. It means that rather than having a clear picture of the setting, I'm just kind of confused.
This chapter is also serving to make me dislike Amaris more. First, she's purposefully not hunting for dinner, which is just a dick move. Second, when they're attacked by the monster (beseul, I think it's called?) she runs away from the people who can help her. Dumb move.
I also don't like how the author is using this journey to make Amaris look even better and her companions look even worse. The more of a Mary-Sue Amaris is (to the detriment of her companions and 'equals'), the more annoyed I get at the author for writing such a terrible self-insert.
Also, as a nitpicky side note, it took like two pages to figure out what the monster was actually called. We're only told that Amaris recognizes it from the books (I don't remember it to be honest, but this book has been so dull that I might have just skipped over it). But we don't get it's name for a while.
Then Amaris does the unforgivable. She uses her powers (that strip away free will in favor of her will) on her friends. They're pissed, obviously. Super pissed, as they should be. In fact, Chapter 29 is all about how pissed Ash is (with bonus Nox appearance). And in Chapter 30, Malik and Ash are still pissed at Amaris. Then the next morning, they have a conversation, and Amaris is forgiven, just like that. It was too easy. The author has decided that no one is allowed to be pissed at Amaris, or if they are pissed at Amaris, that means that they're obviously evil.
And Amaris trying to seduce her 'brother' was just gross and unnecessary. I didn't need to read that.
Chapters 31, 32, 33, & 34
So Chapter 31 is in Emily's point of view for the last time in the book. I say last time because Madame Millicent kills her in this chapter, something Emily definitely didn't deserve, especially since she died because of Nox. Seriously, Emily deserved better. The other thing about Chapter 31 is that the description of Millicent's hand is so weird:
"She was left staring at the gray, amphibious hand that slithered down Millicent's arm, ending in blackened, razor-sharp claws." (p358)
I get that the author is going for in terms of creepy description, but it just sounds like Madame Millicent has two hands. I'm more confused than creeped out by this description.
Then in Chapter 32, I really don't have many thoughts except that I'm really starting to dislike Nox. It used to be that I really didn't like Amaris, and thought Nox was a poor character because her only purpose was to be obsessed with Amaris, but now I don't like Nox either. There are very few likable characters in this book.
Chapter 33 was actually kind of interesting - Nox finds out that Amaris is still alive! But it's ruined by the 'demons' waxing poetic about Amaris's looks.
Then Chapter 34, there's some tension. Madame Millicent is in town to pick up Nox and bring her back to the brothel. All the tension is removed, however, by Nox marveling at the 'fast-travel' carriage that she should definitely have known about long before (as Madame Millicent says). This just seems like Piper CJ's attempt to (poorly) fill up a plot hole.
And at the end of the chapter, despite the chapter being from Nox's POV, ends in Madame Millicent's POV, which frankly feels like a mistake.
Chapter 35
The chapter begins with a very abrupt change of POV to Amaris, despite being one chapter away from the end of the part and at a really bad (in my opinion) transition point.
Credit where it's due, this is a good line:
"What ensued was the most delightfully uncomfortable campfire shared in the whole of recorded history." (p392)
Now onto the more problematic part. The group visits the Temple to the All-Mother, and while the priestess (not priestesses, though the author makes that mistake several times) is obtuse in a fun but forced way (gotta advance that plot), she does say one thing that really bothered me. She suggests that humans were meant to bow down to Amaris, and that's a good thing. Seriously? Does Piper CJ not see how messed up that is? The only way to salvage this is if this story is actually Amaris's villain origin story.
Forgot to mention, there are suddenly witches and gargoyles. What are witches and gargoyles in this world? I'm not sure. But apparently, they exist.
FYI, the reason this is such a problem (including things like witches, gargoyles, angels, etc.) is because the author is relying on elements from real-world lore to build an image in the reader's mind, rather than building the world themselves. It puts the worldbuilding efforts on the reader, not the author.
Chapter 36, 37, & 38
Very early on, we get some very poor grammar that again makes me wonder what happened to the supposed editor. I'm starting to believe that the editor never existed.
Nox also is recording everything she knows. How long is this recording of everything she knows and her entire life taking? How does time work in this world?
And thus sums up all my thoughts for chapters 36, 36, and 38.
Chapter 39
We go back to Amaris as she prepares to meet with Queen Moirai. Naturally, Amaris's first instinct is to resort to demands. Why? Why is that her first instinct? Why isn't diplomacy, which she's surely been taught as a reever, her first instinct? She also goes on about how her power is inherently neutral, but she is, once again, wrong. Both she and the author are wrong. Being able to command someone to do something and have them obey with no free will is an inherently evil power.
Also, this is nitpicky, but why is she wearing both a sari and a puffy-sleeve jacket? Those two items of clothing don't go together. And by the author's description of a sari, I'm wondering if she actually knows what a sari is.
Lastly, the author is suddenly trying to force some sexual tension between Amaris and Gadriel, the older Northern general. I'm not sure if the tension was supposed to be so uncomfortable and borderline sexual harassment, but if it was, then in this Piper CJ did succeed.
Chapter 40
Chapter 40 is incredibly slow. It's a rehash of Nox's 'hunting' at the Selkie, just in a slightly different setting. Point is, I've seen it before and I'm bored of it. Also, it took me a while to figure out that Erasmus and the Captain of the Guard are one and the same. This has been a theme throughout the book. The author knows exactly who her characters are and their different names, but fails to communicate that to the reader.
Also, we learn in this chapter that Nox is apparently sadistic. Even if Erasmus/the Captain of the Guard deserves it, it's not in her previously established character to torture him. It's all very confusing.
Chapter 41
This chapter was actually kind of interesting. We learn that the Crown Prince is actually an illusion by Queen Moirai, who is apparently a witch. Because Amaris can see through the illusion, the Queen needs her dead. She orders the guards to seize her, and so Amaris tries to use her powers on the Queen, but they don't work. At that point, why didn't Amaris use her powers on the guards? She's used them on literally everyone else in this room at this point. But not the guards? Even if she's questioned on this later, the real reason is because the author needed them to be arrested so she could get the Coliseum scene.
Chapter 42, 43, & 44
Oh, yay. They found each other.
Yes, chapters 42 & 43 are just about how they've found each other.
At the very end of Chapter 43, we get the beginning of the Coliseum scene, where Amaris realizes that Gadriel was caught (totally didn't see that one coming, she says, rolling her eyes) and she refuses to kill him.
But Amaris is off-balance in the Coliseum, and she's blaming it on Nox? Why? The only reason Amaris has a fighting chance is because Nox was there to untie her hands.
Chapter 45 &46
I'll be honest, the fight with the dragon was kind of cool. But once again, we're shown how much better Amaris is than anyone. The much older, more experienced general is panicked, useless, and asking Amaris to come up with a plan. This is unrealistic, even if the general is injured. He would not be as completely useless as he's portrayed in a better written, non-Mary-Sue-dominated book.
Chapter 47
I'll be honest, I forgot to take notes for this chapter. I was just so excited to be almost dead. All I remember is that Nox, Malik, and Ash have escaped together and are figuring out their next steps.
Epilogue
I was very disappointed to see an epilogue, although this isn't an epilogue so much as it is chapter 48. I'm not surprised to see it, because of course the author had to end with Amaris since this is not a sapphic love story between Nox and Amaris, this is a story about how amazing Amaris is.
Final Thoughts
I hated this so, so much. This book is terribly written, the plot is barely there, the cool elements are ruined by repetitive, flowery-to-the-point-of-incomprehensible writing, and the characters are all terrible, even (especially) the ones who we're supposed to like.
This was a terrible book. The only reason I managed to finish was because of this post. I had to renew my loan of this book four times.
I should have read that back cover and realized how bad it would be.
This book sucks.
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