Nina VarelaBesprekingen

Fantasy not to escape reality but to understand it. Themes of revenge and rebellion, social justice and oppression, loss and love and humanity wrapped into an fascinating fantasy setting making up an intriguing adventure.

So much fun.

Cute, fun YA fantasy with a f/f romance at the heart. Nothing truly special or unique, but worth a few hours.

A great continuation of the first book with all its strengths and weakness. I'd almost prefer if these were released as one book. I love these girls and their love helps fill me up and keep me going.½

This one really takes off around the halfway point. I'm impressed with Varela's construction and her skill in writing emotional scenes. I was definitely caught up. A few points off for some character knowledge contrivances that I found irritating and for the self-contained story elements to be a bit of a letdown. Still, I'm highly motivated to read the sequel.½

I don’t have enough praise for this book, I inhaled it

4.5

I loved this conclusion of Ayla and Crier’s story, however some things felt a bit rushed here. I can’t help but think that it’d be better if the author had made this a trilogy instead, and explored some things in greater depth. For example, Queen Junn was a fascinating character and I wouldn’t mind learning more about her, and Varn itself. Also, while I liked how plot-oriented this book was, I was hoping for more romance. But we can’t have everything, can we. Still, the ending was very satisfying and everything I could’ve hoped for!

It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel, because Varela’s writing is exquisite! I’ll be on the lookout for any future releases from her.

The amazing worldbuilding is a definite highlight of this book — there’s a bit of an info dump in the beginning, just a tiny one, but later on there’s this gradual reveal I so adore in my fantasy books. I loved all the little ‘true story’ tidbits in each chapter, in the form of journal entries of many different people.

The plot was very well-paced, and the slow unfolding of the bigger intrigue — not just Ayla’s revenge — was extremely enjoyable and fascinating; it was almost impossible to put this book down at times!

As for the romance: it’s ‘enemies to lovers’ in its purest sense. The MCs are natural enemies, their Kinds want to kill/subdue one another, and they couldn’t be more different; Ayla is a human girl, a rebel, Crier’s an Automa — a kind of alchemically-enhanced android — and a lady, daughter and heir of the sovereign responsible for the death of Ayla’s family… It seems impossible, and it is, but the attraction between these two is so undeniable, the slow-burn so perfectly executed that their single kiss felt monumental.

Loved this.

BE STILL MY SAPPHIC HEART

This duology is the debut of writer Nina Varela, and I can already say I am a huge fan. Her style of writing is gorgeous, and the pacing of the novel causes the story to grab you tight and refuse to let you go. I am already so excited to return to the world of Crier’s War, to run back to Ayla and Crier and to see where their story unfolds from here. Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

--see full review at storyeyed.blog

This was disappointing so that I almost DNFED it.
The writing was disjointed and all over the place, the feelings of the characters made no sense, eg Crier immediately forgiving Ayla and Ayla with her intense longing. The plot was sloppy and confusing, the events are either random or convenient. Crier was the only good character in the book due to her development which I felt was significant. The new characters weren't a particular joy to read about and I frankly didn't care for them at all. Crier and Ayla's relationship was not as developed as I wish it was. I wish that we had Ayla and Storme bonding, trying to bond again and relearn how to be siblings, how to cope with the trauma both experienced when they were separated. The concepts from this world were cool but sadly, this book didn't develop them more.
Book 1 is definitely much better.

3.75; as complex and wonderful as crier is, it sometimes felt like i barely even knew ayla. i will definitely be reading the sequel.

I LOVED THIS ONE JUST AS MUCH AS I LOVED THSI FIRST ONE. I loved the worldbuilding, I LOVED crier, I loved ayla, i loved queer girls, I loved the questions about humanity and robots and what makes both Things true or not. Gosh gosh I can’t wait to read everything this author has ever written after this. This book hit all the spots I needed it to.

I NEED THE SECOND BOOK IMMEDIATELY!! Gosh I LOVED this!! All the things that are right up my alley: political intrigue, ROBOTS, queer girls, revolution, questions about what makes us humans and what do we even DO with that anyway? Fuck. This book hit the spot. I’m starting the second one as soon as I wake up tomorrow.

Five stars for the worldbuilding. Maybe three for the plot. The romance part was extremely predictable from the very beginning (it doesn't help, of course, that all the blurbs for the book basically give it away). And while I was intrigued by the mysteries, very little gets resolved in this volume.

When I got to the end I thought my copy was defective. It just....ends. No resolution of anything. We are expected to go straight to the next volume. I'm not sure I will. Probably, because I do want to know what happens. But I bet *that* will end on a cliffhanger too and then where will I be?

A very satisfying and packed with intrigue and action conclusion to this series. It was quite easy to slip back into this world and feel at home, a sign of a good sequel and the chemistry between Ayla and Crier builds so nicely. I'll look forward to more from this author in the future.

This was a fast-paced book for sure for me, it felt like the plot of was almost constantly moving forward which is nice since I've been reading some slow books recently. I love the world building in this, it's so interesting and explores classes well, I'm excited to see how everything goes in the sequel, fingers crossed it'll be just as good as this or even better! The chemistry between Crier and Ayla was excellent, I enjoy the classic enemies-to-lovers trope so this made it even better...

4.25 stars

A great sequel to an already great debut! I enjoyed this a lot and I finished it fairly quickly. The alternating POV's kept it engaging and I had to read on. This is also a whole gayer than I thought it would be, it was satisfying to finally see Ayla accepting her feelings for Crier and just both of them pining for each other. There were a few twists here and there that I didn't see coming but overall I think it was predictable-ish? That isn't bad though don't get me wrong, it was still a good read nonetheless. Aside from that, I did find myself hoping for a little more, I wish the author had maybe touched upon the letters that Crier intended to send Ayla in the epilogue, it felt like it was forgotten? It would've been nice to see how Ayla would've reacted to the letter but that's just me nitpicking...
I'll end this with a quote which I love from the book and hopefully you'll enjoy this as much as I did!

It’s you, the wash of starlight, the old paradox: if the Universe were static, I could stand anywhere in this world and I swear my line of sight would end on you. I swear I’d find you in the dark. (yes it is THAT GAY and I love every single moment of it)

I loved every aspect of this book, but especially the aspects of Made/Automa vs humanity.

One of those books that's easy to get into and once you begin living between its covers, you tend to forget the real world quickly. The world inside is well developed and the gradual reveal of what's behind the scenes, as well as the romantic connection between Crier and Ayla, make for a smooth ride through this tale. I'm thrilled to see the sequel arrives next month.

"Look at the fluidity, the grace in each transition. They make it seem effortless. But see for yourself: their muscles are trembling. It is not effortless at all.

If there exists a type of human capable of dismantling our world, it is the dancer."

you heard it here folks this is the only book you'll ever need

Beautiful, poetic writing, political machinations, protagonists who you can root for all throughout their successes and their dumb mistakes - also a hate-to-love romance to die for. It's a stunning portrait on war, revenge, conquerors and conquerees. And more than all of that, it was just honestly really exciting. It has constant twists and turns, both to get your heart racing and to break it.

I don't wanna say to much in the risk of spoiling it, but this took so many pieces of things I love and fit them together into this thrilling, atmospheric, densely-packed, tense little tale - I just can't believe I've probably got to wait an era for the sequel D: !!

Where love existed, death would follow, a wolf trailing after a wounded deer. Scenting blood in the air. Ayla had learned that the hard way.

HELLO I AM NOT OKAY

NINA VARELA HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME

Anyways this book is a masterpiece. Genuinely I don't know when the last time I read a book quite this good was. It was...spectacular. Unlike anything else I have ever read. It's such a gorgeous book, and of course Crier and Ayla own my heart.

I'm not going to do this book justice with any review I write, so I'm not going to try.

But seriously y'all. Read this book. It's fucking perfection.

Oh my GOD... Crier's War really just destroyed me lol. This novel is set in a time where Automae (a machine/human hybrid type thing) have taken over and humans have become their servants. It follows the povs of Crier, an Automae "princess", and Ayla, a human servant.

One day, Crier almost dies and is saved by Ayla who she then promotes to be her handmaiden. As the days go on, Crier begins to fall for Ayla and vice versa. Both try to deny their growing feelings because their worlds can never be equal.

The romance in this book!!! AHhHHH it gave me so much life!! The slow burn! The enemies to lovers! The angst! This one really gives the gays everything they want LOL

Ayla, a human, wants revenge on Lady Crier's, a made one, family who was responsible for the death of her family. Her plan is to work her way up so she can work in the palace, close enough to kill Lady Crier. She ends in the palace as Lady Crier's handmaiden which is not what she expected. There is much treachery occurring in the palace by Lady Crier's father, fiancé, and members of the Council. Lady Crier tries to rely on Ayla to who she is feeling an attraction towards which should not be happening but Lady Crier is under illusions and now has to decide whom to trust. Then war breaks out in the land.

I enjoyed this story. It was hard to put down. There is so much intrigue going on that I kept trying to figure out who was the bad guy but so many could fit that category. I liked Ayla and Crier. The made ones of whom Crier and her family belong on were mean. The humans were there first. I liked that Crier figured out what the trinket Ayla had with her was for. I wish the ending hadn't been as open as it was but that is for the sequel to pick up from as I want to know what happens.

The world building is good. This is a story of good and bad but who is who. Who will win? A great story for young adults and adults alike.

This one is not nearly as exciting or interesting as I expected. There is simply too much emoting. That is all Crier does. I didn’t care for any of the characters; for all their emotional turmoil, they don’t inspire sympathy. I remain bothered by the lack of explanations about how the Automae work. I also question the obvious plot issues – unwavering belief in characters in spite of evidence to the contrary and the lack of substantive action by any character. Being the first in a series does not, in my opinion, excuse or explain the issues, and I am not certain whether I would bother to continue with the series as a result.