Chloe Neill

The strongest aspect of "The Bright and Breaking Sea" was the overall seafaring fun of the story- it felt like a book that took place in the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, all full of sailing adventures and double-crossing and quirky, if ultimately disposable, side characters. In general I also liked the magic system and the idea of being Aligned to a certain element (although I'm just a sucker for elemental stuff) but the system was fairly underdeveloped and lacked explanation. The actual plot was amusing but also predictable, and I don't think there was a single plot twist I was surprised by. The last third of the book was also a bit of a fumble and felt anticlimactic; Neill attempts to wrap up a handful of plot threads and deliver big, splashy finale scenes, yet everything fell a bit flat. All in all, it was fun enough to read, just underdeveloped! I would probably read a sequel but would definitely be hoping for deeper development and more exciting writing.… (mais)

I ended up listening to this as an audiobook, instead of reading it because I found the pacing so uneven. The beginning is quite good - I was really getting into the action of it and the world as well as how Claire fit in. I felt we got a really good idea of the characters, but abruptly (after the attack the first few rays of frenzied "oh man this is a problem" moments) things took a way chill slow attitude to introducing everything all over again.

It felt kind of like the first and second part got mixed up somehow. I had a better understanding of what magic Claire was HIDING from everybody in the beginning then I did as the world building continued and we learned about the different kinds of magic and taboos and sensitives.

Meanwhile the ending...I know this is part of a series but I got so wound up in Liam & Claire's relationship I was feeling a bit let down that it didn't' seem to move much further than the start. The battle confused me - even listening to it - and I think part of it was because we went from HIGH ACTION to low building to HIGH ACTION with abrupt feeling transitions.… (mais)

AKA How the Hell did a series so good I bought all the current ebooks AT RETAIL PRICES (that's right folks) after the first book become a mess of such epic proportions I am doubting my ability to stay reasonable??

Look I admire Neill for the gumption to do what she did at the end of the last book. I'm sure, when it first came out and then the months before this came out and fixed that event, it was HELL for fans. What I find hard to swallow or concede is...is...well everything else in this book.

It's quite honestly a mess. it's like Neill had all these ideas and just threw them all at the book. In no particular order this is what Merit has to deal with in this book:

- Grief
- Emotionally horrifying nightmares
- (former) Mayor Tate olaying mind games
- Mallory being a Birch Diva Queen
- Catcher being a jerk
- Jonah trying to woo her (to the RG and to bed)
- Crazy elemental magic shit
- Dissolution of roles and offices
- Blood rationing
- Irrational tests from the GP
- The fallout of the Celina debacle
- Crazy human protestors
- Genocidal crazy human murderers
- President Kelly...that is the new Mayor hating all mutants...that is supernaturals
- Civil War over mutant...that is supernatural registration
- Willow...i mean Mallory having issues with magic

I mean. We're not talking a 1000page tome here guys. and while SOME of the above tie together, a lot was Neill setting up plots for future books thus making this book feel disjointes, crowded, and rushed.

Tasch and I both commented on how Neill is fond of dialing everything up to 180 off camera. Merit and Mallory's residual issues? Got worse but we never saw that, only saw them go from besties to practically frenemies over night. Mallory's increasing issues with magic? Well Merit found herself too busy to do more then consider that Catcher surely had it in hand or would tell her otherwise.

2 things saved this book from being 1 star--the 'my kids will look like this' discussion between Catcher and Jeff (felt so out of place considering Catcher was having BIG TIME issues with Mallory) and ah when Merit finally gives into her feelings of lust for someone.

And so we're clear, MORGAN SUCKS. He has such a bit part, but he manages to cock that up magnificently.… (mais)