Member Reviews
The narrator was great, I liked to listen to that. Unfortunately the book itself wasn't very much to my liking. The only character I truly cared for was Malekh and that's not enough to enjoy a story for me, as I'm a very character driven reader. But I did see potential and can see other people liking it, especially if you enjoyed the first one! The tone stays very similar.
I've seen a lot of mixed reviews for this and honestly, I kind of enjoyed it. Other reviewers have complained that the writing quality drops dramatically or that the story goes nowhere but I humbly disagree. This is exactly on a par with the first book - which was also sort of fun but again far more about the vibes and very low plot. Frankly, this is fine and if you like Castlevania fanfic, you'll enjoy it because that's essentially what it is. Only the three main characters really have much development but I'm guessing if you're reading this book, it's for those guys and it doesn't matter if everything that doesn't centre on them is a bit thin. It sounds as if I'm damning with faint praise but actually, I think that this duology does exactly what it sets out to do. It's supposed to be fun, vampire high jinks that is about the feels.
Honestly this one wasn't a page turner like book 1 but I was just happy to be back in this world and seeing these character again. Also I love a poly relationship and I am so glad to see a poly relationship in such a well written high fantasy book.
Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC.
While I didn't hold quite as much love for the first book as many other reviewers seem to do, I still enjoyed it a fair bit and so, was looking forward to experiencing the sequel via audiobook! Sadly, I'll have to join the seemingly popular opinion and admit that it didn't really resonate with me and fell flat.
I absolutely adore seeing polyamorous representation in books, and this was probably my favourite aspect of this series all the way through. However, in Court of Wanderers, their interactions seemed to lack the chemistry I felt in the first book. The scenes felt disjointed, sex scenes were used more as plot devices than moments of legitimate connection.
The conflict seemed convoluted at times, unnecessarily simplified at others, and altogether the resolution just didn't leave me feeling super satisfied.
I didn't necessarily dislike this as much as some people seem to - I thought the increased amount of court politics was intriguing, though I wished we had more insight into the history than the somewhat cursory information we receive.
Ultimately, I believe that I personally just don't vibe with Rin Chupeco's writing - I've tried their YA books and now gave this duopoly a chance since everyone seemed to love Silver under Nightfall, but I think it's time to admit that we might just not vibe, and that's totally ok.
It took me a little time to get into this audiobook. I was a little lost in the beginning. I hadn't realised this was a continuation of a series. After about 4 or 5 chapters I really got into ot though and couldn't stop listening.
Court of Wanderers was the second and final book of Reaper series. The story following an Alurian young vampire hunter Remy Pendergast who found love and companionship with spouse wannabe Lord Zidan Malekh and Lady Xiaodan Song. This first book absolutely grabbed my attention with all good romance tension, action pack, political intrigues and characters personal growth. All my favorite in one book. Sadly the second book feel like water down quality version of the previous one.
I still got my favourite trio with their harmoniously polyamorous relationships. But I cant feel intensely from their scenes or banter. I remember I hold my breath with anticipation and tension at first simple scene when Remy met Malekh. I missed that strong bond and relationship from book two, beyond all sex scenes feel like only filler on journey plots.
Half pace felt dragging but another half it pick up and thickened the plots. The conflicts are alot but some felt unnecessary busy, inconsistent and rush to the end. The worldbuilding didnt get any new improvements or developments. And although this story is done, I am still found my self longing and wait something that missing from this story..
The narrator of audio version doing very great. I love the voice and represented all the characters perfectly.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hodderscape from Hodder and Stoughton Publisher for providing copy of this audiobook and ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 2 April 2024
I liked this book a lot better than the first, which I was just really uninterested in for some reason that I couldn’t really place. The plot on this one caught my attention though and I enjoyed the relationship between Remy and his mother.
I adored the polyamory. I thought it depicted that kind of triad relationship really well. I loved how much they all loved each other and were so protective over each other, especially while Xiaodan was ill.
I did find with both books, they had a bit too much sex for me. Though this one was better than the first. This one also had a lot of characters especially in the Vampire courts, so that was a lot to keep track of. Every time one of the court leaders did something I had to stop and remind myself which one of them it was.
In all, I don’t think this is a series that I will read again, but I’m glad I went on to the second book.
Remy Pendergast and his royal vampire companions return to face an enemy that is terrifyingly close to home.
So many negative reviews but I don't see it !! This was amazing and just as good as the first book I loved everything !! 😍 This had it all for me vampires, politics, family drama polyamorous relationships. This book for me was just as good as silver under nightfall and I loved it and this is probably one of my favourite duologys and I'm sad there isn't going to be anymore 😔
I listened to this on audio after realising that this was a second in a series I purchased the audio of the first book and immediately knew I would love this audio it's beautifully read and engaging and easy to follow. Would definitely recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton and Rin Chueco for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a little torn with this book because on the one hand I know I had a good time and enjoyed it. But that's mostly because I cared so much about about these characters in the first book that seeing them again and seeing them interact just gave me so much joy and feels.
BUT I also know that this book does not live up to the previous one.
I kind of read it sporadically and was always happy to pick it back up, but didn't really feel the need to turn every page and loose sleep over it, which is what I got from reading Silver Under Nightfall.
There was less action, less anticipation, more sex but less actual development within the different characters, and the ending felt a little anticlimactic...
3.5 rounded down. I absolutely loved the first book for the atmospheric vibes and of course the main throuple so I was suuuuper excited to see how the developments would go for book 2. While the continuation of the relationship was okay, it lacked the depth I was hoping we would get. The focus was way too much on the court politics in this book, and I didn't feel invested in basically any of the new characters. The atmospheric vibes that I loved in the first book didn't really continue here, imo, either.
Court of Wanderers by Rin Chupeco is the second and final installment in the Reaper duology. Remy, Xiaodan, and Zidan are dealing with the aftermath of the events of the first book and the discovery that the Night Empress may well be Remy’s mother who he believed to be dead. With Xiaodan gravely weakened by the battle, Remy and Zidan must get her to the Fata Morgana – the seat of the fourth court and Zidan’s home – if she is to have any chance at healing. More players join the game and the stakes are raised higher than ever in this story however, and the whole of Aluria is at risk if Remy can’t get to the bottom of the strange nightmares he is having while dealing with extravagantly cunning vampire court intrigue.
This book delivers everything that Silver Under Nightfall delivered and more, transporting the reader to Gothic palaces, magically overgrown ruins, and underwater sanctuaries, each new location fleshing out the rich atmosphere of Aluria. Relationships continue to be a key theme in this novel with Remy, Xiaodan, and Zidan exploring their relationship, discovering what it means to each of them and navigating the consequences of their choices among their courts. There were so many opportunities for this storyline to fall foul of cheap twists and stereotypes, but Chupeco delivers a joyous and organic view of polyamory, always heralded by clear and enthusiastic consent from all parties.
Remy’s family ties are also one of the main features of this book. With his negligent and traumatic upbringing, there were obvious places that Chupeco could have chosen to take this narrative, but this storyline travelled to a refreshing and somewhat unexpected place that takes you pleasantly by surprise.
The other vampire courts that we hear about in Silver Under Nightfall are also heavily featured in this story and if you are expecting to read about fabulous debauchery, terrifying feats of power, and many a fang flashing dangerously then you would be absolutely correct. The reader is treated to all of the above and deliciously mysterious political intrigue to boot.
This is a fantastic story about vampires, genetic experimentation, and the unexpected relationships that we can’t help but fight for in a world threatened by a dark power that may come from closer to home than we think. This story is perfect for fans of Castlevania, or anyone who decided to romance Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with both an e-arc and an e audiobook Arc for this title. It's the second in a series so I rushed out to read the first one before embarking on this journe. I did find the writing style and pace of this book was difficult for me to get into, although I did really like the plot and the characterisation. There was really good representation as well with bisexuality polyamory Etc so I did persevere through, however, i rated that bookbetween a 3 and 3.5 star but again this isn't a criticism of the author this is just my enjoyment of the writing style. Then I started Court of Wanderers and I did feel the same about writing, I just couldn't get into a groove with it. However I then switched to the audiobook and wow what a difference! The narrator was absolutely brilliant and brought the text alive for me. I was immediately captured and sent crashing back into that world with a totally different outlook on it. Again, I really enjoyed the characterisation and the story and this really did bump the book up to a solid four to four point five stars for me. If you are a vampire fan, this is another take on vampire and human relationships, heavy on the consent and equality and it was definitely an interesting read. I will look out for more books from this author, in fact I had quite a few my TBR but will probably look at audiobooks as either a companion or is the sole read.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape and NetGalley for providing me with an Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A wonderful sequel to Silver Under Nightfall which delivers more than it's predecessor.
Despite Court of Wanderers being long - the audiobook comes in at over 15 hours - not a word is wasted and much of the world building we see is necessary and, indeed, part of the charm of this book.
The pacing is well written and keeps the reader on tenterhooks at all times and the narrator does an excellent job of keeping the prose flowing throughout.
Remy Pendergast is a vampire hunter who must battle against the Night Empress. Together with Lord Malekh and Lady Song they will seek the Court of Wanderers to work with other courts to defeat this great enemy. Powers will grow and so will the dangers they must face.
Really well written and well paced novel I listened to the audiobook which was well narrated. Good strong characters and plenty of action. Remy believes the Night Empress is his mother and this may prevent him from stopping her. Enjoy.
"Court of Wanderers" by Rin Chupeco delivers a thrilling adventure while falling slightly short of the first book's magic. The audiobook format kept me engaged, especially during the action-packed battles. While the world-building remains impressive, the plot takes a while to pick up, bogged down by court politics and emotional swings from the characters. The ease of some plot resolutions left me wanting more challenge as well.
Despite these flaws, the story entertains. Remy's development is a highlight, and the central relationship continues to sizzle. Ultimately, the endearing, charismatic characters and their world make this a good time, leaving me eager for future installments.
In one word: disappointing. I expected way beter. This was a very steep decline of quality I hadn’t expected seeing as the first book was one of my favorites but this seemed rushed, poorly written and messy. All in all very disappointing
Requested not realising it was a sequel.
From what I've listen to it is exciting, fast paced and sexy as hell. Going to go read the first book before continuing and I will update my feedback.
DNF at 33%. I've been trying to get myself excited to finish this book for months and I just can't do it.
I'm a third of the way in and it feels like nothing substantial has happened apart from a lot of fade to black sex scenes. Seriously the book practically starts with one and the continues to shove them down your throat at every opportunity. I enjoyed the relationship between the main three in the first book but this just seems too much.
And any hope I had that it would get better as the book and plot progressed was snatched away by finding out what being a vampires 'familiar' truly meant.
I could possibly pick this book back up at some point and change my opinion once I've finished it but I think that's unlikely. However I did adore the audio narration, it's the exact same high quality as the first book.
This is Remys book, although the trio are just perfect together. This instalment has more sex (fade to black) with innuendos sprinkled everywhere. The audio version really adds to the banter.
I enjoyed the unravelling of family secrets, the navigating of the various vampire courts, murder mysteries and mutation slaying.
A special mention needs to go out to vampire pigeons. The book is pure entertainment with wit and blood.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
Court of Wanderers by Rin Chupeco concludes the duology that began with Silver Under Nightfall. It returns to the world of Remy, Xiaodan and Zidan as they meet with the other heads of the vampire courts to find a way to defeat the Night Empress, who was latterly revealed as Remy’s mother, who all had believed died done 20 years earlier.
In addition to the vampire courts, Remy’s father Lord Pendergast, his army of Reapers and mutations are thrown into the mix, contributing to what is already a heady political mix! And to bring the pot to the boil is a ‘religious’ vampire sect that occupy and care for the temple that us central to the origins of all the vampire courts.
Of course the relationship between our cosy throuple has moved up a notch or ten, and to say the spice level has increased relatively is an understatement, despite the frequent ‘fade to black’ scenes between the three.
Whilst we do see the development of their relationship and the growth arc for Remy as he steps out of his father’s shadow in this second half of the duology, sadly it doesn’t match the sharpness and tangible depth of Silver Under Nightfall.
Court of Wanderers brings a satisfying conclusion to the duology, and provides more insight into supporting characters such as Elke, Eugenie, Paolo and Riones that is truly welcome.
Having listened to the audio book, the narrator, Matthew Spencer must be complimented on the energy and flexibility that was applied to make each character standout and recognisable in an instant. At no point was there any confusion about which character was speaking and the story flowed smoothly and richly.