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seren'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
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
ghostlyprince's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
emily_mh'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
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Grief
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Drug use, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: imprisonment Minor: capital punishment, childbirth, self-injury, menstruation, thefta_ab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It also suffers from "all fathers are monsters" syndrome - not a single father mentioned in the book (in their fatherly capacity), even in passing, could be described as even a half-decent person. It got a little weird there.
But otherwise this was an interesting young adult fantasy book with some thoughtful observations about talent, excellence and self-discovery.
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship
asexualandriod's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Physical abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
betweentheshelves'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
4.5
Really, the main reason this isn't getting a full 5 stars is because the twist was obvious to me from the beginning. Well, not 100% of the details, but there suggestions there right from the first time that Sofi plays her instrument. However, this didn't take away that much enjoyment from me, and I always love to find standalone fantasy so I don't have to wait for the next book.
If you're looking for a new, queer fantasy to try this summer, this will definitely be your jam!
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Physical abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide, Blood, and Classism
elwirax's review
- 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
"What was art if it did not come from hard work and devotion? If it was not tended to and grown in the careful pockets of one’s heart?"
"...you don’t have to hurt yourself to be worthy of pursuing your dream. You don’t have to deny pieces of yourself in order to be good. Your songs are never better than when you let yourself go."
This has been one of my most anticipated reads this year after really enjoying Tooley's Sweet & Bitter Magic last year, and I loved it equally as much.
Tooley has such an interesting way of weaving magic and atmosphere into her worlds it makes for a really immersive read. Her writing is beautiful and easy to get into (slightly repetitive in this book, though not glaringly so).
In terms of characters, Sofi herself wasn't always likeable but I understood why she felt the way she did. She had a difficult childhood where her true self was constantly repressed and punished and it took time to unlearn that what she had been taught was wrong.The road trip nature of this book was a great way to develop her character and relation with Lara who encouraged her to view her opinions on art and emotions in a different light. Lara's character wasn't as developed as I had hoped but she was passionate, hopeful and complemented Sofi's character well. Although the romance between these two wasn't convincing as an enemies to lovers nor was it a big aspect of the book, it was sweet nonetheless.
Another aspect of this book I really liked were the interludes of childhood memories, they allowed me to understand Sofi's character and her relationship with her father a lot more which in turn made me sympathise with her and her pursuit of perfection for the sake of art. The friendship and family aspects of this book were wonderful, though I wish at times they were a bit more developed as I loved the characters so much.
The ending is truly one of my favourites in a standalone. I was afraid that given all the ideas presented by Tooley it would not end in a satisfying way. However, the book wrapped everything up perfectly.
Many plot twists were predictable and very clear for the start and some aspects of worldbuilding were not expanded enough but in all fairness this didn't hinder how much I enjoyed the book.
Overall, an amazing queer, fantasy, standalone with many great messages, characters and an atmosphere that enthralled me completely. I will definitely read anything else Tooley comes out with.
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent