moonlightreads007's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved everything about this book, full stop. It was spiritual, healing, and everything I ever wanted the last book in this series to be! As always, the structure was very well-organized and the scene descriptions were detailed and effective. Although the beginning was a little slower-paced, I found that it was still intriguing enough to pique readers' interest in the storyline. The pace picks up very quickly in the middle and at the end, though!
Spoiler
Plotwise, I loved how the characters all mended their relationships with each other, how they used their natural talents and strengths to help others, and how they found their purpose and grew into the people they were always meant to be. I'm proud of each and every one of them, and I love the sweet, new little family they made for themselves at the end (I especially loved Zorinos ā¤ļø). Also, potentially controversial opinion: Laila deserved godhood way more than SĆ©vĆ©rin did, she was so much kinder to others throughout the series. In this book, it becomes clear that SĆ©vĆ©rin was projecting his emotions onto others, and it seems like expressing his emotions to others without projecting was a learning curve for him in this book. I feel like the fact that he had to live in eternal youth without Laila for so long was his punishment for his previous behaviour, but thankfully they seem to have healed and connected with each other as a couple. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that they're both happy. I'm so glad all the characters got the happy ending we readers were waiting and hoping for!Graphic: Death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Ableism, and Body horror
Minor: Antisemitism, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
erin_mh362's review against another edition
5.0
This one felt really high-stakes and I really liked it, I love the heist vibe and how none of the characters immediately forgave people for betraying them (iykyk)Ā
The twist with the divine lyre thing and the ending was just perfect and I loved it so much, Roshani Chokshi is an amazing author and this trilogy was fantastic šĀ
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Ableism, Racism, Alcohol, and Body horror
Minor: Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Antisemitism
silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism and Grief
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spoiler
How did it get undone at the end? I have no idea.The ending also left much to be desired, especially because the characters were so interesting. They deserved a more powerful conclusion. I think Enrique and Zofia are my favorite characters because they had the most consistent arcs across the trilogy (
Spoiler
though I knew Zofia was gonna lose that letter and it annoyed the heck out of me that she didn't open it in the second book...felt like it was more for tension than what she truly would have doneSpoiler
Seriously, SĆ©verin's quest to become a god never made sense and it did not get the resolution that it needed for it to have impact on the character...like he still went through with it? even though everyone agreed it was a bad idea? and his only consequence was that he got eternal youth? but had to wait a century before he could see Laila again? because she became a god instead? And we still don't know anything more about Laila's creation and how it happened and why her gift works or how she became L'Enigme. The stakes about Laila dying in this book never felt as urgent as they kept saying it was.All that being said, Iām still glad I read the series. I mean, I decided to still give this conclusion three stars, even though I had issues with it. I think the characters are intriguing enough to still read it, and Hypnos's humor in this book made for some good chuckles. Overall, the series had a lot of potential and great characters so I wouldnāt not recommend itā¦but being disappointed in the ending makes it hard to wholeheartedly recommend.
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Ableism
karambit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Death, Gore, Blood, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Ableism, Alcohol, Grief, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Child abuse, Bullying, Child death, and Drug use
achingallover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Terminal illness, Body horror, Death, and Ableism
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Murder, and Physical abuse
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Self harm
vaniavela's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Bronzed Beasts is the last book in the trilogy written by Roshani Chokshi, The Gilded Wolves.
I would like to start by saying that this book had already been read and reviewed two months ago, but for some reason my review was deleted and I wanted to redo it.Ā
Every book in this series mesmerizes me. The cover of The Bronzed Beasts has a divine color palette, the combination of reds and golds gives a magical touch and the combination of all the elements fascinated me.
Even before I read the book I knew I would end up emotionally destroyed, and I was. The development the characters had throughout the story was well written and I liked how their personalities were deepened in consideration of their traumas in a respectful way.Ā
I found the relationships between the several characters, main or secondary, to be quite interesting. Without making spoilers, the tension, thirst for revenge and betrayals made this book even better.Of course, the sarcastic and romantic elements were not lacking and while I wasn't on the edge of my seat, a smile appeared on my face.Ā
I continued to find the world building fascinating. The archaeological and magical elements, along with the detailed descriptions, brought this book to life. Recall that it takes place in 1890 in Venice, Italy, but it's set in a world of magic. Themes such as power, ambition, colonialism (a bit), second chances and more were also addressed which gave depth to the story.Ā
There are still several trigger warnings such as ableism, alcohol, grief, blood, murder, racism, self-harm, suicide, violence, etc. Likewise, I still love the respectful and diverse way this book was written. Three of the main characters are diverse culturally, and one character is on the autism spectrum, one is bisexual, and one is gay.Ā
Now, the ending. What the fuck was that ending? 'Crying and vomiting' literally defines my reaction to reading the ending. I didn't expect that ending, and therefore didn't want it, I keep believing that authors will give happy endings and I must learn that the books I read are never going to have them because I'm a masochist. I cried just as terribly as I did with Rule of Wolves, Our Violent Ends, and other books I recommend.
It was certainly a wonderful (and painful) journey but I thank the universe for introducing me to this series. 5/5 āļø
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Ableism, Violence, Suicide, and Grief
solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was an experience, there were laughs and tears, there was mostly pain but the good kind of pain...I think? idk Roshani kinda owns me therapy after this.
Took long enough for my copy to get here (to my country) but when it finally did I dropped everything to dedicate my brain a 100% to finish this wonderful series that had me going crazy, let's say I survived, but barely.
Ā
Spoiler
Zofia and Hypnos are now my second favs after SĆ©verin, he truly grew a lot in those years after losing Laila, I must admit I'm sad the forging was lost (it was so cool) but they'll manage, I suppose.
I cannot help but think that the whole with Laila ended up rendering inhuman and it felt like we lost development for her (even tho she was already an amazing character) but that "hello Majnun" broke me and made it worth it all. For the most part at least. It did made me feel as with TID but I was not left as broken, did not cry as much but let us not compare.
When SĆ©verin and Laila saw each other at the beginning I was going to cry, so beautiful how they were so connected; purely soulmates. Honestly it was so ad that Laila didn't get to see the others and I cannot imagine how Majnun managed to stay alive after losing so much, immortal life sounds awful u guys. Ask Dorian Gray if you do not believe me.
Need to add that Ruslan had me fucking angry the whole time, I knew he was not dead that freaking idiot, so creepy. Thank god we got rid of him, ugh.
I don't think there much more to add, the five stars are because of the nostalgia I felt and the laughs I had with the book but if I'm honest the best one still is The Silvered Serpents, truly loved it. But once you love the characters it becomes easy to fall in love with any story that contains them. Regardless of it all this will surely become one of my favorite series of all time, I can tell. It feels like it belongs in my heart already.
I will fo cry now because of the emptiness I already feel in my heart, I will miss this characters a lot.
I was listening to you're somebody else by flora cash & homemade dynamite by lorde while writing this review
Here some quotes I liked:
"Sometimes those with too much power think they know best...they forget how to listen"
"Death must have his seat at the table of tales, and he always sits first."
"History might be shaped by the tongues of conquerors, but it was not a fixed shape or story, and with every object they repatriated, it was like adding or recasting a sentence in a book whose pages were as wide and infinite as a horizon."
"She moved the way he imagined a star-touched goddess would step through the night sky, aware that the brush of her ankle or tilt or her hip might knock a man's destiny askew."
"Name any penance, and I will pay it kneeling."
"I would fin you anywhere."
"I think it's fair to say that you have witchcraft in your lips and hands, and there is as much eloquence in a sugar touch of them as there is in any of your desserts." (Shakespeare's Henry V)
"Ancient cartographers believed that the land they could not see must necessarily be populated by ancient beast, monsters..."
"When he was forced to breathe again, it felt as if it were the first breath of a new life."
'kay, I'm out
Bye
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Ableism and Racism
Minor: Blood
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spoiler
Laila dying was the ONE THING I didnāt want to happen, above all else, so of course she died. Iām not sure whoās more devastated, me or SĆ©verin. šIām so happy he adopted those two boys!! I didnāt expect that, but that was such a cute little addition that Iām so here for!! š„ŗ
You know what else Iām here for? The polyam relationship!!! It didnāt happen until the very end, but Zofia, Enrique and Hypnos all ended up together and thatās the ONE THING I really, really wanted. IāM SO HAPPY FOR THEM. š
But I did not expect SĆ©verin to outlive the trio, or for the final pages to mention them dying??? Rude???? š¢
It was mostly made up for when he came home and found Laila waiting for him!! āāHello, Majnun.āā !!!!!! MY HEART. š„ŗš„ŗ
Representation
- French-Algerian protagonist
- Indian protagonist with anxiety
- Spanish-Filipino queer protagonist
- Jewish autistic protagonist
- Black queer protagonist
Graphic: Blood, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Moderate: Racism and Ableism
Those tagged moderate are mentioned on-page, but not actively experienced. (As far as Iām aware. There may be things I, a white non-autistic person, may have missed.)