kappareads's review against another edition
4.0
Real rating: 3.5 stars
This book is kind of complicated. I really enjoyed the first half and I can only point out one part of the second half that made me not enjoy it as much, but it has to be more than just that.
The first half really threw me for a loop, with the subplot about grief and addiction. It was an interesting turn for the book to take.
Overall I would say I enjoyed it, it just had it's ups and downs in terms of parts I enjoyed and parts I didn't enjoy.
This book is kind of complicated. I really enjoyed the first half and I can only point out one part of the second half that made me not enjoy it as much, but it has to be more than just that.
The first half really threw me for a loop, with the subplot about grief and addiction. It was an interesting turn for the book to take.
Spoiler
The one problem I had with the second half that I can clearly recognize is the ship. I was so sure that Odessa/Valoria was the endgame ship, but then it turns out it's Odessa/Meredy! What?? I still don't understand.Overall I would say I enjoyed it, it just had it's ups and downs in terms of parts I enjoyed and parts I didn't enjoy.
pandacat42's review against another edition
5.0
***I received an ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review***
Beautiful story of loss and love. This is up there in my favorites. So sweet.
Note: Reps the ‘B’ in LGBT.
Update-my blog review:
I loved this book so much! Odessa, an orphaned girl, makes her way gaining the respect of nobles through her necromancy magic. She brings the king and royalty back to the land of the living creating a situation where the dead reign. All magic has a cost, and the cost of bringing back the dead is the risk of creating creatures called shades. Shades destroy and have an appetite for the living.
Odessa faces loss after an encounter with one of these terrible creatures. She doesn't know how to face her emotions and only with the aid of potions can she face each new day. Unfortunately, the potions have side effects that make it hard for Odessa to do her job. Then someone comes into her life making her realize it's time to process her feelings.
My heart took so many turns through this story. I related to the characters and enjoyed the voice of the author. Sarah Glenn Marsh delivers with a fresh, sweet perspective. I love the way she expresses the main character's sexuality. I look forward to future titles from this author.
Beautiful story of loss and love. This is up there in my favorites. So sweet.
Note: Reps the ‘B’ in LGBT.
Update-my blog review:
I loved this book so much! Odessa, an orphaned girl, makes her way gaining the respect of nobles through her necromancy magic. She brings the king and royalty back to the land of the living creating a situation where the dead reign. All magic has a cost, and the cost of bringing back the dead is the risk of creating creatures called shades. Shades destroy and have an appetite for the living.
Odessa faces loss after an encounter with one of these terrible creatures. She doesn't know how to face her emotions and only with the aid of potions can she face each new day. Unfortunately, the potions have side effects that make it hard for Odessa to do her job. Then someone comes into her life making her realize it's time to process her feelings.
My heart took so many turns through this story. I related to the characters and enjoyed the voice of the author. Sarah Glenn Marsh delivers with a fresh, sweet perspective. I love the way she expresses the main character's sexuality. I look forward to future titles from this author.
boadich3a's review against another edition
Spoiler
Couldn’t connect with the characters AT ALL. Literally the main love interest DIES and not only did I call it but I couldn’t care less. The way the main character handles her grief is poorly written and hoenestly, the whole book was poorly written in my opinion. The only saving grace was that there were queer characters and the premise was interesting, to be fair. Hopefully the next book by this author is more my cup of tea :/
sheabuckley's review against another edition
3.0
This was an enjoyable read. The author has created an interesting world with magical powers associated with eye color, a kingdom ruled by the centuries-long dead, and a adversity to any change at all. A perfect environment for revolt and chaos to ensue. I think that the overall plot was sound and definitely kept my attention; although the attempted overthrow by the living prince was quite foreseeable. I thought the depiction of grief and addiction was realistic, but that it only skimmed the surface of the loss she experienced. I have to admit though, that the relationship with Meredy was unrealistic, especially so close after the loss of Evander. I appreciated the bi representation, but I think the author could have pursued that in a different way that was more align with the character's grief. And probably with someone other than her late partner's sister.
larissalee's review against another edition
4.0
Imaginative world of magic
I got so mad at this society for the way it runs, but only because the world was well written in the first place. Great story, a bit of mystery, and some realistic hints of romance. Lots of LGBT representation, too.
I got so mad at this society for the way it runs, but only because the world was well written in the first place. Great story, a bit of mystery, and some realistic hints of romance. Lots of LGBT representation, too.
hollyb15's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sweetdreams_sunshine's review against another edition
3.0
I'm actually really conflicted about how I feel about this book right now. There are some things I really liked about this book and others that I did not really enjoy. I think it's because I had really high hopes for this book and unfortunately it just did not meet them. One of the biggest drawbacks in this book for me is that it is fairly romance heavy. Okay I know this is ridiculous for someone who loves romance as much as me (I mean it is my favorite genre) to say, but I didn't expect it. Plus Odessa's romances just didn't work for me, in particular the second one which I REALLY wish it did. I will give Sarah Glenn Marsh some credit because the secondary romances were super cute.
Things I liked:
-Bi-sexual main character
-ALL THE FEMALES
-All the lbtqa+ characters/romances
-The strong female friendships
-The struggle with grief
-The plot and interesting use of necromancy
-Jax, Simeon and Danial
-also Kasmira who was probably the most interesting character (so obviously she was a secondary character because that is just my luck)
Things I disliked:
-The main romance(s)
-The use of overused tropes (special snowflake anyone)
-
-I honestly did not really care for Odessa, Valoria or Meredy
-The fact there is a going to be a sequel because this really felt like a standalone to me.
3.5 stars
Things I liked:
-Bi-sexual main character
-ALL THE FEMALES
-All the lbtqa+ characters/romances
-The strong female friendships
-The struggle with grief
-The plot and interesting use of necromancy
-Jax, Simeon and Danial
-also Kasmira who was probably the most interesting character (so obviously she was a secondary character because that is just my luck)
Things I disliked:
-The main romance(s)
-The use of overused tropes (special snowflake anyone)
-
Spoiler
Also I really hate when one character falls in love with their deceased partners family member. I know that is fairly realistic but it just has a major ick factor to me-I honestly did not really care for Odessa, Valoria or Meredy
-The fact there is a going to be a sequel because this really felt like a standalone to me.
3.5 stars
marineb09's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the beginning, it was different from what I expected, not a fan of the all necromancer trope but I was on board with this one.
In the end, as it's the thing with every YA I read recently, it's predictable and I lost interest really soon ... :(
The writing was really sweet so 1 point for that ;)
In the end, as it's the thing with every YA I read recently, it's predictable and I lost interest really soon ... :(
The writing was really sweet so 1 point for that ;)
youarethelibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was just meh, middle-of-the-road young adult fantasy. The magic system was based on eye color but wasn’t explained well, and the main character was out of it for half of the book due to substance abuse. Because of that, I thought the side characters were much more interesting than her. This book is also the first in a duology, but would have been fine to stand on its own. Not sure why a second book is needed, and maybe it should have been a companion novel about Valoria instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Death, Addiction, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail