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readcells's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
jg34's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I have never heard anyone say a bad word about this series so I went in with high expectations. I was certainly impressed by the complex world the author created, but I fear I’m more of a character girlie than a plot girlie. I sort of feel neutral about everyone, which did make a certain death easier to handle tbh but I’d like to learn more! Gimme more emotions, more back story, more internal conflict!!
That being said the story was great, not as mind-blowing as I thought it would be but definitely a respectable 4/5 ⭐️ and I will be continuing on with the series!
That being said the story was great, not as mind-blowing as I thought it would be but definitely a respectable 4/5 ⭐️ and I will be continuing on with the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
ghostnaps's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The first part of the book moves at a slow pace with some incidents between rival clans but otherwise focused on revealing the world and characters to the readers. The latter half picks up in pace as you follow the Kaul family entering into a war with the rival clan. The world building is thoughtfully done, showcasing the contribution of politics, history, and religion to the climate of the present day in the story. Each character is written with their own sense of morality and ideals; there is a lot more emphasis on some given the plot, so I’d love to see others enter the spotlight throughout the series. I’m excited to see how things continue to unfold in the next book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia
fedoratheexplora's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
strawberrybooks'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I listened to the audiobook and was absolutely enraptured by this rich world. The author does an absolutely amazing job creating thrilling clan politics that have you considering the different perspectives of the characters and how their current circumstances have led them to making their choices. Each character is amazingly fleshed out.
The only reason I’m knocking it down a star is sometimes felt like I was listening to a history textbook happening in real time, and just needed a liiiiitle more personalization. But I think that’s more personal taste.
The only reason I’m knocking it down a star is sometimes felt like I was listening to a history textbook happening in real time, and just needed a liiiiitle more personalization. But I think that’s more personal taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
thepoieszedlife's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
iono's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, War, and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Cursing, Homophobia, Rape, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
evaroy's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Very overhyped.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
kornwaiisms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 stars for jade city !!!!!!!!! sorry im still recovering-
—i am obsessed with hilo. apologies. i know i should dislike him rn but i can't. he's a bitch and i want to beat him up but he's my bitch and i would do it in a sibling way. also, he's hot. i want him.i can take him. goodbye.
—shae is amazing i want more of her i want to see her thrive!!!! the potential!!!! she has so much to give!!
—lan i would do anything for you!!! I'm so sadhe died but also that writing choice was phenomenal lowkey. or highkey. I'm obsessed with it. what would have happened had he not died? would things be worse or not? (well, maybe worse in a different way, because hilo and shae running the clan will quite possibly be the end of it fr fjkdkdj )
—anden!!! he's such a specific type of character and he grew to become another type of character? it makes so much sense. i want to see what he does next asap.
—wen my beloved, she was incredible. i need more of her urgently. i loved the maik brothers too.
—drum roll,,,,, the sibling dynamics killed me. lan, hilo, shae, anden, all their separate combinations and all of them together (ouch) was literally everything i needed. im a sucker for complex sibling relationships and in this story?? im eating it up. that's it.
—bero was annoying. then he was despicable. but he has something, i can't deny it.
:'))))))) ✌️👍✍️ i loved this book!! on to the next!!! read it if you like asian big cities with enemy clans fighting with martial arts, knives, guns, magical stones, politics, COMPLEX SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS, little romance, fully fleshed characters, lots of intrigue and suspense <33
—i am obsessed with hilo. apologies. i know i should dislike him rn but i can't. he's a bitch and i want to beat him up but he's my bitch and i would do it in a sibling way. also, he's hot. i want him.
—shae is amazing i want more of her i want to see her thrive!!!! the potential!!!! she has so much to give!!
—lan i would do anything for you!!! I'm so sad
—anden!!! he's such a specific type of character and he grew to become another type of character? it makes so much sense. i want to see what he does next asap.
—wen my beloved, she was incredible. i need more of her urgently. i loved the maik brothers too.
—drum roll,,,,, the sibling dynamics killed me. lan, hilo, shae, anden, all their separate combinations and all of them together (ouch) was literally everything i needed. im a sucker for complex sibling relationships and in this story?? im eating it up. that's it.
—bero was annoying. then he was despicable. but he has something, i can't deny it.
:'))))))) ✌️👍✍️ i loved this book!! on to the next!!! read it if you like asian big cities with enemy clans fighting with martial arts, knives, guns, magical stones, politics, COMPLEX SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS, little romance, fully fleshed characters, lots of intrigue and suspense <33
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
halebop's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
Great worldbuilding, very interesting concepts. This book definitely sets the stage for the other two, so there's less going on as we learn about the cast of characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence