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willow1113'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, and Medical trauma
hardbackednooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
With the first-person past tense narrative and occasional breaking of the fourth wall, it was hard to feel any tension about Phedre's fate, but my heart was in my throat any time one of the other characters was threatened or involved in some machination. There are some truly shocking parts of this story and I found my jaw hanging open on more than one occasion.
If you're one for worldbuilding, politicking, and fantasy religions, this might be the perfect fit for you. The layers and maneuvers playing out throughout the world are endless and fascinating; even with all the info now that I'm done, there were still things that surprised me when I was able to piece it all together. Overall, this could've been a 5-star read with more editing towards the middle/later third, but still very deserving of a read. I'll be continuing the series once my hold comes in.
All that being said, this is a very intense book. Definitely NSFW and 18+, and absolutely do not read if you are triggered by pain, abuse, or assault of any kind.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
arnoldrm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Torture
vivillini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
mlweih's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Racism, Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
bkmckown's review against another edition
2.0
The overall story was fairly interesting. The sexy parts were indeed spicy. That’s about it.
Now for the stuff I did NOT like:
Let me preface this to say that I don’t like fantasy that much. Especially the ones who refer to characters in full name, the ones that have names that are difficult to pronounce, the ones that have exotic names for every group of people, location, position, etc
The main character is basically a child who is taught in the erotic arts. HUGE WTF! She’s a sex slave. Her first “master” just enjoys inflicting pain- which part of her “curse” makes it pleasurable to her. I felt like it wasn’t BDSM, but just abuse. Maybe there was a time in my life where I’d find this read enjoyable, but this isn’t it.
I did give it 2 stars because the author did create and intricate cast of characters and story, but honestly, I would’ve DNF at any other time.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Cultural appropriation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ambientdusk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Slavery
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
lanid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Classism
carolibrary's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Toxic relationship