pvbobrien's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, War, Death of parent, Murder, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Torture, Drug use, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Cannibalism, Stalking, Self harm, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, and Rape
technicallyaly'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
5.0
The plot and world-building, while absolutely captivating, can be a little dizzying sometimes, but the characterization is super grounding. The dynamics between everyone, the relationships forged feel so natural, their interactions and quips make the entire story — steeped in magical realism and fantasy — feel real and relatable. (The quips are also a source of comedy, even in the darkest, tenses moments, which I really appreciate. I love being reminded to breathe as characters are facing imminent threats.) The ensemble of characters are so entertaining, I feel like I've known them all my life. Everything comes together in a way that just makes sense.
The world building is intricate and intentional, it's obvious that K.D. Edwards wholly understands the world he's creating; it makes me trust that, even if something is confusing to me now, it'll all come together in the end. And it does, I haven't been left down yet. This was a great sequel to an already great first novel (The Last Sun), I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for us!
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
allofmyboats's review
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Drug use, Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Addiction, Body horror, Cannibalism, Murder, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
astudyinfic's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, and Trafficking
frantic_vampire's review
- 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
5.0
Original Review Jan 2021:
Oh. My. God. This book......*incoherent fangirl screeching and flailing*. I loved this book with my whole heart. There’s just no other way to say it. This went some unexpected directions and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out in the rest of the series.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Child abuse, Blood, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Torture, and War
Moderate: Death, Violence, Confinement, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, and Pedophilia
Minor: Child abuse, Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Gaslighting