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lanid's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Acephobia/Arophobia, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Torture and Violence
simonlorden's review against another edition
4.5
overall, the worldbuilding was nice, the romance was great, the characters were also nice (Luca my love) and the plot was... okay. it's also occasionally distressing, since the plot is Sorina's family being murdered, and half of her family is kids. ouch.
the main character Sorina is bisexual, although it's only mentioned a couple of times since she hasn't really dated much. the love interest Luca is demiromantic and asexual, although those words aren't used.
also Luca is the best.
Graphic: Child death and Death
a_libraryghost's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Slavery and Acephobia/Arophobia
itisnatal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Xenophobia, and Blood
themoodreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Death, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
vaniavela'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
4.0
There’s a lot to unpack here. First of all, I appreciate having a bisexual protagonist, as well as an asexual demiromantic love interest and a lesbian side character. We find racial, religious, and sexual diversity in this book, which improves it. I also loved the comments criticizing beauty standards.
When it comes to circus performances, I found the descriptions fascinating. I envisioned the setting, the characters, and the magic happening all at once. I would have loved to see more of them.
That said, I loved the drawings. At first I thought it was the victims and the order in which they were killed, but I was completely in love with them [I love drawings and maps in books.]
Overall, it’s a nice book.
TW: chronic/terminal illness, death (of family members), graphic murder (multiple), ableism, sex worker discrimination, aro/acephobia.
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Torture and Murder
kassidyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Torture
minbyrnes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Amazing atmosphere. Loved the family.
The romance was a bit cringe-y at times (but understandably so!! It was actually pretty cute) and it felt a little too fast? But I understand why the characters had that connection and I like them together. I also liked/appreciated the demi rep.
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child death
charlouise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall I’d say I enjoyed the book especially towards the late middle and end! And I’d like to reread it to see any Easter eggs relating to the plot twists throughout.
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
thatsssorachael's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Disclaimer: I don't like fantasy, I bought this book on a complete whim 3 years ago because a booktuber recommended it.
I was honestly considering DNFing this book for the first 200 pages. Around page 200 things to do start picking up, but I wouldn't say I actually enjoyed it until about page 250ish. It's a slow burn, and I don't typically do well with that type of novel. I also need to ask, why does everyone in a fantasy novel need a slightly weird name? Why couldn't he have been William?
Anyways, this book was kind of a miss for me. It took me basically until the end to realize I cared for any of the characters, I guessed the villain plot line very early on (although I did like the love interest twist), and I found huge chunks were overwritten.
Someone who likes fantasy might find it better than I did, but I don't recommend.
TW death of a child
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Murder