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kingkiller99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death and Torture
Moderate: Addiction and Drug use
Minor: Child death, Rape, and Death of parent
taliaalongi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
bekahzabel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Now 10 years later, Kiva uses the healing skills her father taught her as the head Prison Healer. When the Rebel Queen arrives at the prison extremely sick, Kiva is tasked with keeping her alive. The rebel queen is sentenced to elemental trials, and when she’s too sick to participate, Kiva volunteers to take her place in the trials. Trials that no one has ever survived before, to earn her freedom.
I really enjoyed this one and it did intrigue and hook me within the first 100 pages. Some very solid plot twists although at times things felt slightly repetitive in the middle, I realized by the end how all of it was tying factors and plot points together. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys magical trials, dark fantasy settings, a touch of romance along the way, and found family.
4 solid stars 🌟
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use and Self harm
missgarceau's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It’s dark and checking TW’s is recommended- but it’s not shock value graphic or unnecessarily brutal in descriptions. The author paints the picture without overdoing it, and I appreciate that.
I had a few mild annoyances but those were mostly “me” problems that I don’t think would bother most people.
1) The plants/science:
It’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine when high fantasy uses real world elements inconsistently along with high fantasy elements unique to the world. The world building was really lacking for me in this regard.
2) How I met your mother:
Another pet peeve of mine is pop culture references in high fantasy. This just 🤦🏼♀️ All of it was so pointless or could have been done in a way that didn’t make me cringe at the very obvious ode to/copy cat of the show.
3) miscommunication trope/ betrayal trope/ secret identity trope/ enemies to who knows- just all my least favorite tropes.
4) Space invasion:
Some very intimate moments for the main love interest happened in a very unlikely moment and very cringe worthy scenario considering the circumstances and it completely undid all the butterflies/ character development I felt up to that point.
My biggest issue is probably world building & character development- but it’s very addicting. Despite my grievances, I find myself itching to read the second book ever though I will probably hate it, based on where the plot is going.
Is this a romance with an HEA? The answer might determine my willingness to continue- honestly.
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
tabea1409's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
myahthebookfiend'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Torture, Grief, and Sexual harassment
karinreadsalot'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Sexual assault, Torture, and Death of parent
matildag00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Kiva Meridan the woman you are!
*4.5 because it took a bit to get into, i wasnt rushing home to read you know (during the beginning of the book) *
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, and Rape
ladybug12793'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Torture
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Drug abuse
Sexual assault is talked about but not explicitly or in detail and mostly regarding minor characters.alexisdillon725'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? No
4.0
Moderate: Child death and Torture
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Blood, Medical content, and Death of parent