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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The first thing I have to say is that I might have enjoyed this more if I had taken notes. Because the world-building was some of the most creative and clever I have seen in a very long while - the idea of the other-born, the city-states, and the film-noir aesthetic were all really convincing, and just really cool overall. At the same time, though, I felt like author Kika Hatzopolou overcomplicated things (and when it was overcomplicated, it was underexplained).
The plotting was overall very good, but I think it did get bogged down in too many twists towards the end, making it confusing. I didn't really grow to care for the characters, which is a problem because I then subsequently couldn't really care what happened to them.
Overall, the good plotting and creative worldbuilding couldn't cover all the problems I felt this novel had. Which is a shame, because there was a good story in here.
The plotting was overall very good, but I think it did get bogged down in too many twists towards the end, making it confusing. I didn't really grow to care for the characters, which is a problem because I then subsequently couldn't really care what happened to them.
Overall, the good plotting and creative worldbuilding couldn't cover all the problems I felt this novel had. Which is a shame, because there was a good story in here.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Genocide and Gun violence
Minor: Transphobia, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, and War
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