thepinkraven_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sammy234's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I struggled with how to rate this book because while I enjoyed it and couldn't put it down, I don't know if the characters compare to the ones from this author's previous series. The Winner's trilogy had a really big impact on me, so of course this novel had a lot to live up to. I've been waiting for this novel since 2016. My expectations were very high.
The fact that this book was set in the same world as that trilogy made me so happy, and I loved the connections the main characters had to Kestrel and Arin. We don't see them in this book, which I think is important because they would have overshadowed this new story, but Marie Rutkoski does let you know how they're doing, which was nice. Also, a certain side character makes a guest appearance, but I won't say who.
The premise for this novel was brilliant, and kind of horrifying. This novel is rather slow, and if you like plot heavy novels, you're not going to enjoy this, but I loved it. The story mirrors Winner's Curse in some ways. It focuses on a very gentle romance and then has an explosive, fantastic ending. I know, after reading the last page, that the sequel is going to rip my heart out.
As always, Marie Rutkoski's writing was beautiful and easy to read. She's such a good writer I can devour her books in a couple of hours unless I pace myself. I'm left wanting to read more of her work even though I've read all of her adult content, so I might just reread Kestrel's story. It's been a couple years.
I really related to Nirrim as a character. Sid, not so much. They were charming together, but a little too sweet, which isn't my thing at all. I have trouble finding f/f dark romance (and by trouble, I mean I can't find f/f dark romance that exists, anywhere, except maybe in Kushiel's Dart) so I don't often read f/f. I need someone to write an f/f dark romance. It has to happen.
But overall, I loved how protective Sid was and how endearing Nirrim was. They fit really well together, and their bantering was so adorable.
The subplot between Nirrim and her adoptive mother just made me uncomfortable. I wished the side characters had been more fleshed out, her sisters and mother included. It was hard for me to connect to anyone besides Nirrim and Sid.
Hopefully the god of thieves will have more page time in the next book. He was a great villain. I could really empathize with him and I understood his motivations.
So far, I can't stop thinking about this book, and if that continues, I'll probably raise my rating. I'm really hoping that Marie Rutkoski publishes the sequel sometime next year. That cliffhanger has me dying for the next book.
I struggled with how to rate this book because while I enjoyed it and couldn't put it down, I don't know if the characters compare to the ones from this author's previous series. The Winner's trilogy had a really big impact on me, so of course this novel had a lot to live up to. I've been waiting for this novel since 2016. My expectations were very high.
The fact that this book was set in the same world as that trilogy made me so happy, and I loved the connections the main characters had to Kestrel and Arin. We don't see them in this book, which I think is important because they would have overshadowed this new story, but Marie Rutkoski does let you know how they're doing, which was nice. Also, a certain side character makes a guest appearance, but I won't say who.
The premise for this novel was brilliant, and kind of horrifying. This novel is rather slow, and if you like plot heavy novels, you're not going to enjoy this, but I loved it. The story mirrors Winner's Curse in some ways. It focuses on a very gentle romance and then has an explosive, fantastic ending. I know, after reading the last page, that the sequel is going to rip my heart out.
As always, Marie Rutkoski's writing was beautiful and easy to read. She's such a good writer I can devour her books in a couple of hours unless I pace myself. I'm left wanting to read more of her work even though I've read all of her adult content, so I might just reread Kestrel's story. It's been a couple years.
I really related to Nirrim as a character. Sid, not so much. They were charming together, but a little too sweet, which isn't my thing at all. I have trouble finding f/f dark romance (and by trouble, I mean I can't find f/f dark romance that exists, anywhere, except maybe in Kushiel's Dart) so I don't often read f/f. I need someone to write an f/f dark romance. It has to happen.
But overall, I loved how protective Sid was and how endearing Nirrim was. They fit really well together, and their bantering was so adorable.
The subplot between Nirrim and her adoptive mother just made me uncomfortable. I wished the side characters had been more fleshed out, her sisters and mother included. It was hard for me to connect to anyone besides Nirrim and Sid.
Hopefully the god of thieves will have more page time in the next book. He was a great villain. I could really empathize with him and I understood his motivations.
So far, I can't stop thinking about this book, and if that continues, I'll probably raise my rating. I'm really hoping that Marie Rutkoski publishes the sequel sometime next year. That cliffhanger has me dying for the next book.
alyabbs's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
cissarego's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 ⭐️
The world building is amazing, the love story is so well planned, and the prose is so so good. I will sink my claws into the sequel very soon!
The world building is amazing, the love story is so well planned, and the prose is so so good. I will sink my claws into the sequel very soon!
strawberrycandy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
graceh6068's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
huonekasvis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Body horror, Grief, and Violence
sasspotatoes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- 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
4.0
miloulou's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written, although I will admit it's mostly the first quarter that really captured me. I love first meetings, especially when they're a slow burn of two people circling each other. Delicious.
Though not much really happened in terms of action, there was a good character study on what is, what we see, and what other people see. I actually found myself wishing she had just written a contemporary novel instead. The fantasy elements were nice, but the real draw here was the relationships between the characters.
Though not much really happened in terms of action, there was a good character study on what is, what we see, and what other people see. I actually found myself wishing she had just written a contemporary novel instead. The fantasy elements were nice, but the real draw here was the relationships between the characters.