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basementofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Torture, and Abandonment
sadetanssija's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War
alex_rosewood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a lovely debut. Dark and cold, oozing with tragedy that is only thrown into darker shadow still by the flashes of warmth and light scattered sparingly throughout. It's a deeply personal story set against a somewhat typical fantasy plotline that threatens to take the reins, but never manages to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Body horror
lover97's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If you like intense books, I think this is a good one for you.
Hellevir has the ability to step into death and bring people back. But there is always a price, and she soon learns how steep the cost can be. I really liked the magic(?) System here. Every exchange with the being in death is intense and unsettling. It's also very clear that hellevir does not truly understand how it works even at the end of this first book.
Characterwise, I liked her brother and his Knight along with her father. Her relationship with her mother is complicated, but I grew to like her also. I also enjoyed the nightingales. I'll give it to the author she also knows how to write extremely unlikeable people. From the queen to the peer and to sullivan. Sully is complex, and while that is very much the point, it does make the subplot between her and our main girl a tad unconvincing. Clearly, they're connected, but its not a connection I'm dying to read more of.
As this book went on, it started to feel like a massive prologue setting up what is to come. I spent a long time trying to decipher what the overarcing plot of the series was actually going to be. Sadly, I'm still not sure. It looks like it's now a treasurehunt with a background of an upcoming war for both the throne and which religion will take hold.
Unfortunately, the book just didn't grip me. The first chapters that detail the MCs original exchanges with death were brilliantly written, but as it went on, I found myself struggling to care about what was happening. Even writing this review is difficult because my brain feels battered by everything that was going on. There's a lot that happens, and very few pieces felt explained or completed. I am unsure if I'll continue the series, but I don't think it was badly written, just maybe not the right series for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, marianne gordon, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Hellevir has the ability to step into death and bring people back. But there is always a price, and she soon learns how steep the cost can be. I really liked the magic(?) System here. Every exchange with the being in death is intense and unsettling. It's also very clear that hellevir does not truly understand how it works even at the end of this first book.
Characterwise, I liked her brother and his Knight along with her father. Her relationship with her mother is complicated, but I grew to like her also. I also enjoyed the nightingales. I'll give it to the author she also knows how to write extremely unlikeable people. From the queen to the peer and to sullivan. Sully is complex, and while that is very much the point, it does make the subplot between her and our main girl a tad unconvincing. Clearly, they're connected, but its not a connection I'm dying to read more of.
As this book went on, it started to feel like a massive prologue setting up what is to come. I spent a long time trying to decipher what the overarcing plot of the series was actually going to be. Sadly, I'm still not sure. It looks like it's now a treasurehunt with a background of an upcoming war for both the throne and which religion will take hold.
Unfortunately, the book just didn't grip me. The first chapters that detail the MCs original exchanges with death were brilliantly written, but as it went on, I found myself struggling to care about what was happening. Even writing this review is difficult because my brain feels battered by everything that was going on. There's a lot that happens, and very few pieces felt explained or completed. I am unsure if I'll continue the series, but I don't think it was badly written, just maybe not the right series for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, marianne gordon, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book about a young woman with the power to walk in death is an intriguing set up for a new series. Hellevir not only can walk in death, but for a price can to resurrect the dead. Her ability causes her to be called upon to raise the Princess to maintain the stability of the kingdom.
The story starts simply, and gains complexity as it goes on. By the end there are several plot threads and interactions which set up for the next installment in the series. Many of those plot threads are unresolved, but the book didn't feel incomplete which I appreciated. There are some very well-realized characterizations and Falvor and the man with dark eyes were both compelling. Falvor especially had an incredible story arc.
One of things I would wish to change would be for there to be more time spent on some of the relationships, Hellevir and Sullivain's relationship especially felt a little rushed to me, but this was fairly minor given that much of it seemed to be setup for the next book. I also wish we had seen more than just one aspect of the Queen's personality. It was discordant given that the other characters were so well done.
Overall I liked this book, I thought the writing was excellent and the plot cleverly expanded throughout. I'll be looking forward to the next one.
The story starts simply, and gains complexity as it goes on. By the end there are several plot threads and interactions which set up for the next installment in the series. Many of those plot threads are unresolved, but the book didn't feel incomplete which I appreciated. There are some very well-realized characterizations and Falvor and the man with dark eyes were both compelling. Falvor especially had an incredible story arc.
One of things I would wish to change would be for there to be more time spent on some of the relationships, Hellevir and Sullivain's relationship especially felt a little rushed to me, but this was fairly minor given that much of it seemed to be setup for the next book. I also wish we had seen more than just one aspect of the Queen's personality. It was discordant given that the other characters were so well done.
Overall I liked this book, I thought the writing was excellent and the plot cleverly expanded throughout. I'll be looking forward to the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse
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