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bespectacled_lemur's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
sabinehunter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
sixav's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Incest, Suicidal thoughts, and War
yoda32's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I think my biggest problem was that I couldn’t get attached to Niko. He was just so STUPID. For someone proclaimed to be a deadly soldier known across the land as “the butcher” he was a bit of wimp. Now I get he’s fighting the darkness and all his inner turmoil- which I guess was interesting- but he was betrayed so many times throughout this book and seen NONE OF IT coming. And you’re perhaps wondering- well yeah, isn’t that the meaning of betrayAl. Yes but Niko was a solider trained to spot shit like this! Where was his cunning? Or his distrustful nature he so promised?
Next to Niko infuriating me, don’t even get me started on the “romance” and I’m not talking about the set up enemies to lovers( that I’m interested in). So Niko, along with making terrible decisions, thinks with his dick, and instead of scoping out the terrifying palace, and you know, being the assassin we are promised, he instead falls for Julian, the princes’ personal guard. And we the poor readers- get a whole load of romantic jargon. Which went EXACTLY how I expected it to go.
The plot was meh. I think personally, Niko and Julians romance annoyed me so much that I couldn’t concentrate. Towards the end, the plot became slightly more intriguing, but for the most part.. no.
Now all that being said- there were SOME parts of the book I liked, or else I wouldn’t have finished it.
Firstly- Prince Vasili. He was awful, cruel and conniving. The exact kind of character I love. At least HE embraced his darkness. Also the actual romance is set between him and Niko and despite all my complaints, I’m curious.
Secondly- The author did something I’ve never read about before, she made the elves evil cruel creatures and damn I want to know more.
Thirdly- It’s clear that the dynamic between Niko and Vasili will change from barely tolerating each other to more and despite it all- I’m hooked. I want to know how they fall in love. Like seriously- how!
Anyways, this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but if you’re intrigued by dark fantasy, and are curious about the lethal Prince Vasili, I recommend you try this. You may like it more than me.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Incest
avidreader6's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use and Blood