Adventure within a dark fantasy world!
Thanks to NetGalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the opportunity to read and review Splendor and Spark by Mary Taranta!
North is on a path he doesn’t necessarily want but feels that he has to be on. Faris and Cadence are prisoners still. Bryn seems to be gaining everything she wants, power and to be queen. Cadence adores Bryn and she shows nothing but disdain for Faris. Faris struggles to let her sister be until she finally gives in to the fact that letting Cadence make her own choices is the right thing to do. North striving to find his father becomes more and more complicated. North and Faris lose much but learn a lot and, as their wisdom grows, they understand what they need to do to accomplish their goals, North with his father and Faris finding a place where she belongs. The world building is descriptive and thorough while the characters are dynamic. I especially like Alistair because he fascinates me and I want to know more about his background and past experiences. 4 stars for this dark fantasy adventure!

Note: This is book 2 of a series. You can find my review of the first book, SHIMMER AND BURN, over here: http://www.happyindulgencebooks.com/2018/10/19/shimmer-and-burn-by-mary-taranta-too-much-exposition-too-little-action/

This was the series’s second chance to redeem itself, but alas, Taranta’s writing and I will have to part ways. SPLENDOR AND SPARK did not leave a spark in me; rather, it left me disgruntled and frustrated. I never got close to any of the characters (save what little development was given to Alistair), and the stagnant plot had me sighing in boredom more than a few times. This lack of action from both plot and main character made this book very put-downable, and ultimately not my type of fantasy. In a land where magic poisons the blood and The Burn plagues citizens, whether magic-users or not, it’s up to a group of backstabbing nobles to figure out how to kill a lost king and save the kingdom. The only thing is… these nobles aren’t doing anything successful, and the betrayals run so deep that you can’t trust anyone - not even your own family.

“Nothing has changed since I left Brindaigel: Perrote can still kill with impunity, and no one will dare stand up to him.”

My main gripe is that I had a disconnect with the characters. Who even was the main character again? (I just searched it up, her name is apparently Faris.) She was so frustrating and passively passive. Halfway through the book, I felt like the plot wasn’t going anywhere. And honestly, it wasn’t. The pacing was sooo slow and the storyline wasn’t going anywhere in the first half. Although it picked up in the second half, I was so bored I ended up skimming the rest.


“Ten years ago my mother cut me open and made me stronger. I didn’t want to be a fighter, but I became one from necessity—a consequence of her choice for me, which means my choice is simple.
There are monsters in Avinea, and I have the ability to stop them.”

You have the ability Faris, but you really didn’t try to use them.

The romance? Lol who even is North again. I lost interest in him after thirty pages y’all. Umm what else is there to say… the setting was generic for a fantasy world. The world-building was decent (like I said in my review of the previous book, the magic system was pretty unique). But the sister relationship with Faris and her sister (whatever her name is) was lackluster, and the relationships in general pretty superficial. It really is me not meshing with the writing though, not the story itself.

Fantasy readers more interested in drama, inner monologues, and politics MAY want to try this series. Readers who need some plot progression and action to stay engaged like me? Definitely a pass.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

Content/Trigger Warnings: violence/gore, alcohol usage, loss/grief

Splendor and Spark is the second book in a duology about family, fantasy, and sacrifice. I think that if you liked The Cruel Prince or Jenna Black's Glimmerglass series this one will appeal to you! The main character keeps you from putting this novel down.

Splendor and Spark is the second book in the Shimmer and Burn book series and can be read as a standalone novel. However, once you read you will want to read the first book in the series. Taranta has created a unique fantasy that is compelling and unexpected.