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kapaiai's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book is beautifully written.
Very flowery, dreamy prose that matched the title and overall atmosphere of the book.
World-building was very interesting and full of potential. I could not grasp the geography though and I got lost while reading, like what??
The characters were all very enjoyable to read.Even Nero, with his Uchiha Sasuke-esque lack of self confidence. Even Minya, who is some kind of evil, ghost-wielding Detective Conan.
Lazlo was a lovely, sweet protagonist and I rooted for him sincerely. Sarai was also very sweet, and I only wanted good things for her. But y’know… plot and all that.
Has a bit of a bad ending / cliffhanger for the sequel, which I see is equally long.
It is, however, a very SLOW book. It takes its time to take you somewhere, which I didn’t hate. In fact, it matched the tone of the subject matter so I was all for it.
It’s not the kind of book that was like, I can’t stop reading!!! But I got so far in that I was like… “I can probably finish this tonight,” and before I knew it, it’s 15 past midnight and my dog wants me to turn off the lights so he can sleep.
The romance aspect was like, meh. I honestly didn’t need it. I would’ve enjoyed the book just as equally if it was a story of Lazlo learning himself and becoming a “great person”.
That's not too say the romance wasn't a important as a plot device, but I felt like it wasn't really something I focused on personally.
It was insta-love, and it’s only saving grace was that it was… unproblematic? Like, they’re very young and the way they fell in love and clung to each other showed it. (esp Sarai to Lazlo, which understandable. He was the first and only outsider who could see her.)
In fact, I would’ve loved to have seen more of Lazlo and Nero solving alchemic impossibilities together (together???).
Side note: I just want to say that I love that Nero is a Hot Guy, but he's also like "ALCHEMY IS SCIENCE. NOT MAGIC". I don't know. Something about that just tickles me, haha.
Very flowery, dreamy prose that matched the title and overall atmosphere of the book.
World-building was very interesting and full of potential. I could not grasp the geography though and I got lost while reading, like what??
The characters were all very enjoyable to read.
Lazlo was a lovely, sweet protagonist and I rooted for him sincerely. Sarai was also very sweet, and I only wanted good things for her. But y’know… plot and all that.
It is, however, a very SLOW book. It takes its time to take you somewhere, which I didn’t hate. In fact, it matched the tone of the subject matter so I was all for it.
It’s not the kind of book that was like, I can’t stop reading!!! But I got so far in that I was like… “I can probably finish this tonight,” and before I knew it, it’s 15 past midnight and my dog wants me to turn off the lights so he can sleep.
The romance aspect was like, meh. I honestly didn’t need it. I would’ve enjoyed the book just as equally if it was a story of Lazlo learning himself and becoming a “great person”.
That's not too say the romance wasn't a important as a plot device, but I felt like it wasn't really something I focused on personally.
In fact, I would’ve loved to have seen more of Lazlo and Nero solving alchemic impossibilities together (together???).
Side note: I just want to say that I love that Nero is a Hot Guy, but he's also like "ALCHEMY IS SCIENCE. NOT MAGIC". I don't know. Something about that just tickles me, haha.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Child death and Sexual assault
bethy_joy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
jhaneveauguste's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
hanarama's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
The Good:
• Beautiful prose
• Omniscient narrator, looks into all POV
• World building unfolds gradually
The Bad:
• Romance felt a bit shallow
You Might Like This if You Like:
• Disney's Atlantis
• Lost Kingdoms
• Fairytales
Wow! I adored my time in Weep. Laini Taylor's prose here is very soothing—perfectly suited for the dreaminess of this story.
The lost kingdom premise sucked me in immediately. It reminded me very much of Atlantis, which has been a comfort movie for me for awhile.
I really enjoyed both Lazlo and Sarai as protagonists. They're both thoughtful and caring. That said, I felt that the relationship between them was very surface level. I get that this is YA, but it was almost too fairytale for me.
• Beautiful prose
• Omniscient narrator, looks into all POV
• World building unfolds gradually
The Bad:
• Romance felt a bit shallow
You Might Like This if You Like:
• Disney's Atlantis
• Lost Kingdoms
• Fairytales
Wow! I adored my time in Weep. Laini Taylor's prose here is very soothing—perfectly suited for the dreaminess of this story.
The lost kingdom premise sucked me in immediately. It reminded me very much of Atlantis, which has been a comfort movie for me for awhile.
I really enjoyed both Lazlo and Sarai as protagonists. They're both thoughtful and caring. That said, I felt that the relationship between them was very surface level. I get that this is YA, but it was almost too fairytale for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death, Racism, and Gaslighting