Nouf *LostinFantasy*'s Reviews > Clanless

Actual rating: Undecided whether it leave to it 3/5 stars, or add a half star to 3.5/5 because I still love the characters and world a lot. Hmm.

A year ago, I happened to come across the first book in this series, Nameless, and after deciding to give it a try - with zero expectations - the book turned out to be everything I was looking for! It had intriguing world building, incredible development of layered characters, unlikely love (both romantic and familial) between enemies, spies and a growing revolution of the oppressed. It was great!

And when I started this, I instantly remembered why I loved it (even though I needed to refresh my memory of the last book a bit), and cared for the characters as if I'd finished the first book yesterday!

This sequel's strengths:

It expanded more on the world building, now that the characters have escaped the confines of the Ram Gate. Beyond the "Ram" and "The Wolf", we learn more about the other clans, "The Raven" and even the " Kodiak" - as well the actual history between the clans. I like how the clans are inspired by the author's love of history and various tribes and peoples. From what I've read in interviews, The conquering Ram are loosely inspired by the Spartans, The Wolves by the Vikings, The Raven by the Native American "Navajo" tribe, and The Kodiak by the "Maori". I don't know much or anything about them, but the fictional counterparts were interesting. The Ram is set apart as the villain and mighty enemy of the three allied clans. And so the unlikely love between the Ram and the Wolf that makes our little group of characters puts them on the run as they find themselves responsible for the rebellion they've started.

The first book reminded me a little bit of the The Winner's Curse when I read it, which definitely helped towards me enjoying it. But this book didn't really remind me of any other story as it went into very unpredictable paths.

The characters are the strength of the series. Gryphon and Zo are separated for more most of the book - each one having been led to believe, by their "friend", that the other was killed by the Ram. Despite their grief, each has to stay on course of their missions - he, for the promise he made her, and she, to take care of Tess and Joshua.
The character development continues as beautifully as it did in the first book. Now a deserter to his clan and a wanted-man, Gryphon still struggles with his loss and choices especially now that (he thinks) he doesn't have Zo to fight for. But he's not the same man who thought his kindness a weakness and was desperate to prove himself to his brutal clan. He grows into his convictions on his own, and gets even more eye openers in this book.
And Zo has grown so much from the girl who'd closed off her heart to anything but revenge and hate for the Ram. Since the events of the last book and having feelings for Gryphon, her walls break and now every choice she makes is for the people she loves and calls her family.

The romance is still so great and satisfying! But what I also like about this series that it focuses on familial love, not just by blood, just as strongly as romantic, if not more. Gryphon and Joshua's fierce mentor/brotherly bond, and Zo's love and protection towards Tess and Joshua. So the characters are really the heart of the series. And I think even the lying jerk, Gabe, is redeemable.

The sequel's weaknesses:

The problem with this book is that despite all that happens, it didn't feel like much happened. Except for going in circles. Especially compared to the first book which never had a dull moment. This one felt very much like the "middle" book in the series. Mostly bridging between the beginning and end. It set up some potentially big events but not enough that I was satisfied. The only thing I felt got its due development were Gryphon and Zo's feelings for each other. Besides that, I felt the ending was abrupt. My exact reaction to reaching the final page is: "that's it??!". I wasn't convinced or happy with one decision made at the very end - which felt hastily made. And the writing overall just didn't feel like it had the same amount of attention the first book had.

So... I need the last book to really feel like the story has moved forward.

That being said, I am very much looking forward the final book and I hope it has the same high stakes action and drama as the first. And I hope it brings out the twists I know this series is hiding and that I'm waiting for!