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aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I can't believe we got a certain death... So rude. I really like the character dynamics and I am excited to learn more about aldrik and how this whole war is going to play out
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
thewordslinger's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Solid second book in this series, though I feel like in the grand scheme of things, not a ton of plot stuff happened. This was definitely more focused on the relationship/emotional aspect.
I will say that there needs to be a trigger warning in the front of this... Particularly for suicide and child rape/molestation/abuse. These things came as shocks to me and while they weren't wholly unnecessary to the story, I could see how they would trigger some folks.
Finally: Once again, I love that Kova isn't afraid to kill off characters that are close to the MC. So often we see stories where the "main group" never loses anyone, or, if they do, they lose the one minority character... In these books it seems that really, no one is safe. Those closest to the MC least of all. This makes the threats against the MC and the aspect of war astonishingly real.
We know, obviously, that Vhalla isn't going to die. No matter what happens, we know she's going to make it through the rest of the books. But there are handfuls of other characters that are just as real and just as important to Vhalla and to us, the reader, whose futures aren't guaranteed. That fact makes the story infinitely more 'real' and terrifying.
I will say that there needs to be a trigger warning in the front of this... Particularly for suicide and child rape/molestation/abuse. These things came as shocks to me and while they weren't wholly unnecessary to the story, I could see how they would trigger some folks.
Finally: Once again, I love that Kova isn't afraid to kill off characters that are close to the MC. So often we see stories where the "main group" never loses anyone, or, if they do, they lose the one minority character... In these books it seems that really, no one is safe. Those closest to the MC least of all. This makes the threats against the MC and the aspect of war astonishingly real.
We know, obviously, that Vhalla isn't going to die. No matter what happens, we know she's going to make it through the rest of the books. But there are handfuls of other characters that are just as real and just as important to Vhalla and to us, the reader, whose futures aren't guaranteed. That fact makes the story infinitely more 'real' and terrifying.
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
bratt713's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
delvie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Book one was enjoyable but a little dry, and I kept reading because I heard this series gets really sad.
OH MY GOD, IT IS SO SAD.
I'm here for it. Rip my heart out. Do your worst, Elise Kova.
OH MY GOD, IT IS SO SAD.
I'm here for it. Rip my heart out. Do your worst, Elise Kova.
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Gore and Suicide attempt
Minor: Child abuse and Trafficking
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