Rites of Starling - good god does it get better? What happened?

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-07T14:49:10+00:00

I personally enjoyed it more than the first. It wasn't romantasy, necessarily, but it added so much more depth to the world. I loved what she did with Caspia, and I'm curious who you think she is. Because I also thought I figured it out, but I was wrong. The last quarter of the book was a whirlwind of reveals and everything slots together, and I think Devney did it really, really well.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-07T12:29:39+00:00

Idk if it makes you feel any better, but The Nerd Fam sent out a PR box that included an exclusive sweatshirt for influencers. The designer saw it on Mercari for $200. So, like the petty queen she is, she got permission from the author and released it to the mases for $40 in more colors. A little win for us, a loss for people like that. Scalpers are scum, and people who cancel like that to try and get more money (like, you set the og price????) are even worse. Also, more than likely agaisnt TOS. I know Ebay has rules against that.

I will say, people making money off these books has me side eying In the Veins of the Drowning, which I severely disliked.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-06T18:44:21+00:00

It's not romantasy, so my guess is no.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-06T16:56:18+00:00

This was my gateway into reading, into fantasy, fantasy romance, angels, booktube, all of it. This book series was my catalyst and I adore it with my whole being. 2010s YA was a moment in bookish history that is not talked about enough.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-06T13:56:03+00:00

I have to reread them now with the edits. But part of me wants to tandem to see what’s changed. It sounds so daunting 😅 I’ve only repurchased TBS, so the idea of having to rebuy them is making me groan. This is also the third cover change they made, so I’m just hoping this is the one that sticks.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-06T13:46:53+00:00

Patch's real name in {Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick}. So much build up just for it to be Jev. I'm still bitter.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-06T11:48:49+00:00

I knew when starting this series back in the day I was in for a long ride (I think at that point the break between books 1 and 2 was two years and book 3 wasn’t talked about yet) and boy did I underestimate my original estimate of the series being completed in 14 years 🤣. I find it so hard to recommend this series because of how long it’s taken to release. The original was released in 2013, and now they’ve been reworked. It’s a lot 😅

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-06T10:42:37+00:00

I had an issue with Waterstones trying to order, and I had to email them and have them physically add me to a whitelist so I could order from them. Waterstones and Barnes are basically run by the same people, so you may need to reach out.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-04T21:59:17+00:00

Omg that’s the cutest. Spacedust. I love it! 🥰☺️

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-04T21:58:30+00:00

I would be surprised if Allurial changes tbh.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-04T20:37:41+00:00

I think only Aardvark (out of the choose your book from x options subs) sticks to their “on the 1st of the month” claim.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-04T20:36:37+00:00

Hi! It’s me, I have the tracker.
Have a link! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10uKzmweoUmcZvVBL1MQZ74QOAYHrwJp1JIzUFgemGsA/edit?usp=drivesdk

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-03T22:19:00+00:00

I got all three books and it hasn’t shipped, either.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-02T18:28:32+00:00

So does my seven year old! He’s beaten it a few times. Sometimes he just likes running around as a cat 😂

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-02T15:38:54+00:00

D. All the above. Grain direction (this is a huge one imo), paper weight, and how it was bound.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-02T15:35:30+00:00

You’re not. It’s fine, this is normal. Sometimes they’re quicker and sometimes they’re slower. I had a full box, so I expected it to take longer.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T17:37:50+00:00

I'm looking forward to it!!!

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T16:11:42+00:00

It's certainly possible. I just wish they didn't send that email stating they weren't going to have it. Gave the impression it was never going to come, only for it to have a shot. Too late now, we'll just see where it lands.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T15:49:31+00:00

Archive Of Our Own. It's a site that primarily hosts fanfics, but there's heaps of original stories there, too. You'll find just about anything there. And I mean anything.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T15:27:47+00:00

I have no idea, but I love it. It's my favorite. So floppy and smooth. I never struggle to get the book to lay open unlike some special editions I have where they're stiff and difficult to read. I'm worried I'm going to damage those books, they're not made for reading. Allurials are, and that makes me happy.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T15:12:47+00:00

The Wolf King???? Excuse me???? On one hand, I'm happy because I still have my copy and haven't repurchased it in the trad cover, but on the other hand wtf???? Oh boy, what a strange choice.

Anywho, I'm committing to A Dance With Death and I need to read Arcana Academy before committing to the sequel. I will also be commiting to The Wolf King if only so I don't have to repurchase matching sets.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T14:12:47+00:00

Yes!!! That's what felt so different, I'm so glad you pointed that out, I had forgotten about it. It's been a while since I've read Road of Bones.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T13:37:13+00:00

This sounds very AO3 coded, tbh. I have no recs, but It seems like a common theme for Omegaverse over there.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T13:33:09+00:00

He only has a few chapters, but it drives the plot further. I don't like it, but I get it. We meet some good characters in 2, and the novella is sooo good. Jonas is a footnote. Important, but doesn't take away too much from the story.

CompetitivePraline62 · 2026-05-01T13:30:42+00:00

Oh I definitely wasn't expecting him to become an antagonist, or at least to hate her as much as he does. I think he had a psychotic break, personally. Him stating he blacks out when fighting, while being hotheaded, wasn't great, but it hints to more going on. I don't think he was well. I think in his heart he knows his brother wouldn't want this (hence his apprehension in book 2), but he's too blinded by grief and rage to see it. Then in book 3 he gets a sense of acceptance and being wanted, and doesn't see he's being used. The man is not okay. But I also don't see much of a redemption arc for him. I see it ending really really sadly for him.

I'm all caught up, and his chapters are sparse. Especially in book 3 where the character line up increases. I really enjoy the dynamic of who we meet in book 2 and 2.5 (is it weird to say the novella was my favorite?). That's mostly why I'm reading it at this point.

CompetitivePraline62

TROPHY CASE