Scan barcode
piperclover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I didn't hate this, but I absolutely did not enjoy the reading experience. I only wanted to read from Rags' POV and if he or Talon were in the scene, I was interested, but the second it was about anyone else, I was bored. I was so unbelievably bored throughout this entire book. Too many POVs, moving pieces, people, places, politics. I couldn't keep anything straight, remember anything, or care about most of it. I think this should've been much shorter. Cutting out all the unnecessary monologues, dense descriptions, and boring scenes where nothing happens would help a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
_kayla_marie_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness, Genocide, Gore, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ailsaod's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was surprisingly good - I do not usually read YA or books about fairies and I only really picked this up because it was available at the library and I needed something to read on the train. I think the main reason I liked this book is that this book doesn't describe fairies in the mainstream fashion - these fairies do tick some of the usual boxes (think a bit like Tolkien elves) but there is an added eldritch element that I really enjoyed. The settings are described vividly and this only makes it more effective when creepy magic things happen. This book is what you would get if you combined Indiana Jones and the snow white film Mirror Mirror (2012), make of that what you will!
The one downside is that the book just sort of ends. There is no proper resolution, just a dip in the action and then it stops which is rather unsatisfying when there is so far no sequel announced!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Suicide, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Death of parent, and War
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-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
I picked this up because of Rainbowcrate Book Box and I enjoyed it quite a bit (Rainbowcrate included a silverware set for this book and a silverware set in the book is an actual character!). I love the chosen ones trope, and it was fun seeing everything start off with a theif forced to break into an ancient ruin. There's some unaddressed ableism in here related to one of the main characters, which I was hoping to see more discussion about but that didn't come up. I don't think I enjoyed the audiobook as much as I would have enjoyed reading this one for myself.
📘The Gist 📘: A thief under duress by a wizard breaks into an ancient ruin and wakes a sleeping fae who starts them on a quest to find 6 chosen ones linked to a powerful weapon.
📒Representation📒: BIPOC mc, disabled mc, mlm mc, mtf sc
💕 For readers looking for 💕: adventure, chosen one trope, fun dialogue, entertaining situations between layers of tension, quirky metal animal companions
📘The Gist 📘: A thief under duress by a wizard breaks into an ancient ruin and wakes a sleeping fae who starts them on a quest to find 6 chosen ones linked to a powerful weapon.
📒Representation📒: BIPOC mc, disabled mc, mlm mc, mtf sc
💕 For readers looking for 💕: adventure, chosen one trope, fun dialogue, entertaining situations between layers of tension, quirky metal animal companions
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Sibling deathemily_mh's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
There are lots of things I liked about this one. The plot got going right away - by the literal 60th page I was deep in an Indian Jones type mission along with the main character, Rags. I liked the writing style and loved the concept of the Great Parable and the direction this gave the story. The magic - mirrorcraft - was unique and fascinating and was deeply intwined in the plot. Finally, for the most part, the main romance was written well.
There were, however, some kind of important things I didn't like. The middle section of this book was BLOATED. The pacing was incredibly slow, which was a huge disappointment after the firecracker start. This book really didn't need 500+ pages to tell its story. I would have liked the characters to feel a little more rounded, especially given the time we spend with them. The side romances felt a little contrived. Finally, and perhaps most jarringly, this was written as a standalone but does not feel like one. Everything felt so unfinished by the end that I felt like I had another two books to go. I understand that the authors have more ideas for more books in this world, but I think this should have been the first in a planned series from the get go.
Overall though the book was fine and I look forward to what the two authors bring out in the future.
There were, however, some kind of important things I didn't like. The middle section of this book was BLOATED. The pacing was incredibly slow, which was a huge disappointment after the firecracker start. This book really didn't need 500+ pages to tell its story. I would have liked the characters to feel a little more rounded, especially given the time we spend with them. The side romances felt a little contrived. Finally, and perhaps most jarringly, this was written as a standalone but does not feel like one. Everything felt so unfinished by the end that I felt like I had another two books to go. I understand that the authors have more ideas for more books in this world, but I think this should have been the first in a planned series from the get go.
Overall though the book was fine and I look forward to what the two authors bring out in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infertility, Slavery, Torture, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Drug use, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
hysrae's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
4.5
I didn't go into this book thinking that it would single-handedly rekindle my love for reading, but it turns out I was dead wrong. The cast of characters is diverse and likable, and the plot is pretty unique. I had SO much fun with this one; I really hope that this series is continued!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
mortonsspoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Violence, and Kidnapping
spiritedfaraway's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This book is what you get when you mix dark humor, a quest, advanced machinery, magic and a queer slowburn warrior prince/pragmatic thief romance together and I absolutely adored it! It also doesn't hurt that there is lots of diversity in the cast of main characters.
"They only problem was that Rag's couldn't think of any story or rhyme where a human shook hands with a fae and came out on top."
I will say that Rags' point of view was my favorite. Rags is my grumpy son and he needs to be protected at all costs, okay? I have such a soft spot for grumpy and sarcastic characters and the people that love them. Which brings me to my brand new OTP: Shining Talon and Rags! All the scenes with them were *chef's kiss* and I would scream in joy if we got Shining Talon's point of view in the next book!
The only thing about this book that wasn't my favorite was how I probably would have enjoyed this more if it was just from a couple point of views, instead of five. Which isn't to say I hated the other point of views, I just wasn't as engaged in them as I was with Rags'. But that's totally a me thing.
Overall, I found this to be an amazingly fun beginning and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. Because I seriously need more Rags and Shining Talon and the fact that there isn’t any fanfic for them is a shame lol
"They only problem was that Rag's couldn't think of any story or rhyme where a human shook hands with a fae and came out on top."
I will say that Rags' point of view was my favorite. Rags is my grumpy son and he needs to be protected at all costs, okay? I have such a soft spot for grumpy and sarcastic characters and the people that love them. Which brings me to my brand new OTP: Shining Talon and Rags! All the scenes with them were *chef's kiss* and I would scream in joy if we got Shining Talon's point of view in the next book!
The only thing about this book that wasn't my favorite was how I probably would have enjoyed this more if it was just from a couple point of views, instead of five. Which isn't to say I hated the other point of views, I just wasn't as engaged in them as I was with Rags'. But that's totally a me thing.
Overall, I found this to be an amazingly fun beginning and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. Because I seriously need more Rags and Shining Talon and the fact that there isn’t any fanfic for them is a shame lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infertility, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Medical content, Trafficking, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death and Infertility
gracew's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A lot happens in this book. Like a lot. And most of it doesn't wrap up at all. This would have great benefited from being significantly slowed down with less characters being thrown at us midway through the book. With the exception of Rags and Shining, every single romance felt entirely too fast and without much growth. It feels like they were trying to do a duology and so they crammed the first and second book together. I have no idea what to expect from a sequel which I probably won't read anyway. There just wasn't enough attention focused on growth beyond Rags I felt and I just didn't care for most of the rest of the cast. The world building was somewhat slapdash as well. I wanted to like this book, I started out liking this book, but it just didn't work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Blood