The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
melancholymegs's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Bullying, War, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Slavery and Vomit
clairew97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Colonisation, Grief, Misogyny, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
jayecard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
TL;DR: A fun story that in comparison to my expectations had less actual con game, and more we live in a society (but in a good way). Characters good, gonna see how this continues.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first part of the series, and I will certainly read book 2.
It's not exactly what I expected: I thought I was getting a story about a smart con-artist, which this story has some of, but at its heart, this is a true underdog story. Not just because the main character is an underdog, but it centrally thematizes the power structure that put him in this position - and what he's going to do with it.
Kellen gets nothing. Not even the power of friendship. All he has are some tricks and innovation. And he has to work with that, as he unravels the secrets of his world. This is the concept that the story never betrays, and that's why I liked it so much.
The story is a quick and entertaining read with a surprising depth (and darkness) to its setting. I liked the characters, Kellen is a cool guy and Ferius Parfax is the most fun mentor character I've seen in a long time. It has a cool card motive (a trope I'm weak for) that it uses in a smart way in one scene in particular. I'm gonna hold off on final judgement until I've read more of the series, but so far, I think I might have stumbled over a real undiscovered gem.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first part of the series, and I will certainly read book 2.
It's not exactly what I expected: I thought I was getting a story about a smart con-artist, which this story has some of, but at its heart, this is a true underdog story. Not just because the main character is an underdog, but it centrally thematizes the power structure that put him in this position - and what he's going to do with it.
Kellen gets nothing. Not even the power of friendship. All he has are some tricks and innovation. And he has to work with that, as he unravels the secrets of his world. This is the concept that the story never betrays, and that's why I liked it so much.
The story is a quick and entertaining read with a surprising depth (and darkness) to its setting. I liked the characters, Kellen is a cool guy and Ferius Parfax is the most fun mentor character I've seen in a long time. It has a cool card motive (a trope I'm weak for) that it uses in a smart way in one scene in particular. I'm gonna hold off on final judgement until I've read more of the series, but so far, I think I might have stumbled over a real undiscovered gem.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Violence, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Colonisation and Genocide
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