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grets_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Torture, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Death, Racial slurs, Violence, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Slavery, Trafficking, and Injury/Injury detail
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Reread 2024 4 ★
I still really enjoyed the book during the reread.
I did feel it went so much quicker this time around but I was listening to it on audiobook rather than reading it, and I think personally this affected my score. This is a book that needs you to take your time with it and take in all the little details and moments. I did feel that going through it faster everything had less of an impact.
I also thought certain moments or relationships were a larger part of the story, but in reality were so much smaller than I remember (goes to show how much how memories can adjust something).
I am still excited to read to the next book to get to the final book in this series and cannot wait to see how everything ends.
Original Review 2022 4.5★
This is a book that I've been putting off since getting it. There was so much hype that I was scared and that I would not enjoy it. I'm so happy that I finally got myself to sit down and read. It is such a good book that I ended up binge reading it in one sitting.
The plot and characters are really well done that they end up blending together to support the progression of both plot and character growth. This also means that is there a bit going on but it doesn't feel overwhelming or chaotic, but instead very balanced.
By the end of this book I am glad that I already have the sequel. The main story thread for this book is neatly tied and leads directly into what looks to be the main issue for the next book.
If you have been wary of this book because of the hype, I recommend you give it a go. YA fantasy lovers are going to enjoy this magical world and all the lore it gives us. It has an amazing balance of character and plot driven moments that it feels like there is something for everyone.
I still really enjoyed the book during the reread.
I did feel it went so much quicker this time around but I was listening to it on audiobook rather than reading it, and I think personally this affected my score. This is a book that needs you to take your time with it and take in all the little details and moments. I did feel that going through it faster everything had less of an impact.
I also thought certain moments or relationships were a larger part of the story, but in reality were so much smaller than I remember (goes to show how much how memories can adjust something).
I am still excited to read to the next book to get to the final book in this series and cannot wait to see how everything ends.
Original Review 2022 4.5★
This is a book that I've been putting off since getting it. There was so much hype that I was scared and that I would not enjoy it. I'm so happy that I finally got myself to sit down and read. It is such a good book that I ended up binge reading it in one sitting.
The plot and characters are really well done that they end up blending together to support the progression of both plot and character growth. This also means that is there a bit going on but it doesn't feel overwhelming or chaotic, but instead very balanced.
By the end of this book I am glad that I already have the sequel. The main story thread for this book is neatly tied and leads directly into what looks to be the main issue for the next book.
If you have been wary of this book because of the hype, I recommend you give it a go. YA fantasy lovers are going to enjoy this magical world and all the lore it gives us. It has an amazing balance of character and plot driven moments that it feels like there is something for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Torture, Trafficking, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment and War
sarah984's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
For the first 200 pages, this was a 4-star read for me. The world is vast and interesting, the magic system is cool, and I loved the idea of an epic quest novel (take the artifacts to the Place and do the Ritual) that's not set in generic medieval European fantasyland. The characters’ conflicts felt realistic and while they could be a little impulsive it was understandable because they're teens.
Then I hit the halfway point and the plot ground to a halt to do this extremely generic reylo-style romance (complete with force bond and nonsensical insta love) and then just one stupid thing after another happened and all of the goodwill the first half had generated burned off immediately. There is an extremely graphic torture scene involving one of the female characters that is told through the lens of how the most boring male character in existence feels about it.
I also don't like books where the oppressed people are shown to be extremely dangerous, especially when the author is clearly linking their plight to real-world oppression, and this got worse in the second half.
I liked the plot twist at the end (though it was really unclear why that happened) but not enough to save the reading experience for me.
Then I hit the halfway point and the plot ground to a halt to do this extremely generic reylo-style romance (complete with force bond and nonsensical insta love) and then just one stupid thing after another happened and all of the goodwill the first half had generated burned off immediately. There is an extremely graphic torture scene involving one of the female characters that is told through the lens of how the most boring male character in existence feels about it.
I also don't like books where the oppressed people are shown to be extremely dangerous, especially when the author is clearly linking their plight to real-world oppression, and this got worse in the second half.
I liked the plot twist at the end (though it was really unclear why that happened) but not enough to save the reading experience for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Stalking
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Vomit, and Trafficking