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wm94's review against another edition
5.0
Whereas Vita Nostra is about growth and ascension, Assassin of Reality is really about fear and rebellion. Sasha is no longer the diligent, straight A student she was in the first book. Instead, her anxiety, depression, and her desire to push back against her teachers and her advisor are her main motivators (or hindrances) in this sequel. She struggles to maintain her relationships with her fellow classmates, and she lives her life in Torpa mostly as an outsider. Her identity as a girl, a daughter, a mother, a person dissolves and comes into question as she tries to navigate a new love and a continually challenging work load at the Institute of Special Technologies.
It is incredibly easy to fly through this work of brilliance, to keep the pages turning, to devour the words. The language itself is irresistible, its translation immaculate. Its descriptions are specific and alluring, too, the similes and metaphors so full of a vivid life all their own. This book has the ability to effortlessly capture your imagination and to draw you in with its dark and murky atmosphere and angsty, emotional characters. It is philosophically dense and rich, full of complexity and meaning, and that’s what truly makes it a novel and an unforgettable stand-out of a book.
I can’t wait for the final book in the trilogy. This second book was just as good as the first, in my opinion, and deserves all the attention and praise it can get.
It is incredibly easy to fly through this work of brilliance, to keep the pages turning, to devour the words. The language itself is irresistible, its translation immaculate. Its descriptions are specific and alluring, too, the similes and metaphors so full of a vivid life all their own. This book has the ability to effortlessly capture your imagination and to draw you in with its dark and murky atmosphere and angsty, emotional characters. It is philosophically dense and rich, full of complexity and meaning, and that’s what truly makes it a novel and an unforgettable stand-out of a book.
I can’t wait for the final book in the trilogy. This second book was just as good as the first, in my opinion, and deserves all the attention and praise it can get.
badmc's review against another edition
3.5
A continuation of the interesting, uncanny, and uncomfortable first book that finished in the best way possible (in my humble opinion, of course). I was intrigued by this sequel, but ultimately, I could have done without it.
We get to see the aftermath of the improbable failure and second chance at the dreaded Institute. It feels sped up, and condensed; while it rehashes familiar, and also some new questions about reality, perserverance, and grit. Still, I would've liked a bit more bite. The ending was fine.
We get to see the aftermath of the improbable failure and second chance at the dreaded Institute. It feels sped up, and condensed; while it rehashes familiar, and also some new questions about reality, perserverance, and grit. Still, I would've liked a bit more bite. The ending was fine.
sea_uh_dahmay's review against another edition
2.0
idk it wasn’t bad, but it didn’t change my life like vita nostra did
kbrown's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
angiemangie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
lauralauralaura's review against another edition
3.5
Nothing to add to my review of the previous book in the series.
topolinareads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Disappointed with how this one went. We're introduced to an entirely new 'character', he has no personality or depth so I can't really call him a character. Supposedly, Sasha is mad over heels in love with this man. Don't ask me why, she doesn't know why either.
All the other characters basically disappear. We don't see the other classmates nearly enough, they also lose all personality and character development. Except for Lisa, kinda. She didn't make a lot of sense in this book compared to Vita Nostra.
They could've explored her relationship with Sterkh, instead of this no-face pilot, she obviously cared about him enough for the work she had to do, seeing her reaction once she found out he was gone/dead. But they randomly got rid of him and I'm still angry about it.
Disappointed with how this one went. We're introduced to an entirely new 'character', he has no personality or depth so I can't really call him a character. Supposedly, Sasha is mad over heels in love with this man. Don't ask me why, she doesn't know why either.
All the other characters basically disappear. We don't see the other classmates nearly enough, they also lose all personality and character development. Except for Lisa, kinda. She didn't make a lot of sense in this book compared to Vita Nostra.
They could've explored her relationship with Sterkh, instead of this no-face pilot, she obviously cared about him enough for the work she had to do, seeing her reaction once she found out he was gone/dead. But they randomly got rid of him and I'm still angry about it.
laurarhds's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
estelessa's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0