The War Within

Overall Rating: 2.5/5

I'm sorry if this comes out rude as I am trying to say this in the absolute nicest way possible, but...

What happened here?

Like seriously, please someone catch me up on the memo because I feel like I lost some form of really important communication between the first and the second book....

Because much like The Gods Below, I was enthralled... my mind racing with questions, answers, and then more questions... of wanting to know more about Andrea's world and more about the characters within...And things just fell flat from there. What could've been such a bedazzling sequel... felt more like a hastily clumped together filler of information, random plot points, and spontaneous decisions... all done with almost no thought or actual meaningful contribution to the plot...

Throughout The War Beyond, it seems as though the concept of using a sequel to further grow your characters and be able to show their unique personalities and traits off is also tossed to the side, as there is really no distinct thoughts, no ideas, no true feelings that are conveyed... and this is especially more noticeable towards the ends, as it seems emotions and anything deep is just thrown out the window for a way to quickly wrap up the plot.

Although I am still very curious about this complex world, its gods, its secrets, and the way of life.... I'm hesitant about picking up the finale that this filler of a sequel (aka a literal disaster to some degree) builds up to. The War Beyond just seems rushed in a way that I don't think I can forgive... Not easily, anyway.