Into the Hourglass- Emily R. King

Publication Date: August 20, 2019
Publisher: Skyscape
Genre: YA Fantasy/Sci-fi
Pages: 286
Dates Read: August 16-18, 2019
Format: eARC

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My Goodreads Review

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS
In the second book in The Evermore Chronicles by Emily R. King, Everley Donovan plunges into the roiling waves of a strange new world to hunt a wicked prince who cheated time.

Everley Donovan’s mission: retrieve the hallowed sword of Avelyn stolen by the wicked Prince Killian, who slayed her family and left her for dead. Should she fail, the seven worlds will come to an end, as could time itself. And no one treasures time more than Everley, whose lifesaving clock heart cannot beat forever. She has set sail with a rogue crew for the otherworlds, where the key to dethroning the prince lies deep within the Land Under the Wave.

But passage through these unknown seas—where horrors lurk and pirates rove—proves a treacherous gamble. The Land Under the Wave was not made for humans, particularly one with a fragile clock heart. Here, Everley’s tragic past resurfaces unsolved questions. Here, too, the prince has hidden secrets more precious than pearls, secrets that could fracture the future forevermore. Everley must take back her sword and break free from this watery world before her time runs out…or so will everyone else’s.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 STARS

After reading the second book in King’s new series, I have come to understand her writing style a bit more. I enjoyed the first book, but I had stated that it started off slow for me. This second book was no exception to that. It started off SO SLOW moving for me. In fact, it didn’t really pick up for me until halfway through. That being said, I still enjoyed it.

A few things I really loved in this book…

I still really enjoy the characters, and I loved the world-building. It is very complex. The only thing I don’t enjoy as much about the world is how sometimes things ‘just happen’ and then it’s hurriedly explained and we move on. I mean, I understand… magic is magic, but it felt like there weren’t many rules to the magic if that makes sense?

I also loved that there was much more action (once the plot ACTUALLY started moving along) in this one than in the first. This meant that it was a more exciting plot, more action-packed scenes, and the plot I feel was more cleverly done with rich descriptions which bring the setting and atmosphere of the book to life. It was a very entertaining read.

So why, you ask did I only give it 3 stars? When I gave the first book 4 stars?

I truly did this because of the info-dumping in the first half. This is a series, so I’m unsure who would truly read the second without reading the first book first? We got repeat information and info of things that happened previously in the first book, so it just didn’t feel like it flowed very well from book 1 to book 2. I am of the opinion that info-dumping is a necessary evil in first books, as you need a clear understanding of the world and background. But I feel that this was completely unnecessary for this second book. In fact, this info-dumping is my biggest dislike of this book.

Overall, still a great read, with a wonderful plot. I just wish we could have been pulled into the action earlier on in the book.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Skyscape and Emily R. King for generously providing an eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.