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kingkiller99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death and Torture
Moderate: Addiction and Drug use
Minor: Child death, Rape, and Death of parent
taliaalongi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
evelynnreading'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? No
4.75
Minor: Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
bekahzabel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Now 10 years later, Kiva uses the healing skills her father taught her as the head Prison Healer. When the Rebel Queen arrives at the prison extremely sick, Kiva is tasked with keeping her alive. The rebel queen is sentenced to elemental trials, and when she’s too sick to participate, Kiva volunteers to take her place in the trials. Trials that no one has ever survived before, to earn her freedom.
I really enjoyed this one and it did intrigue and hook me within the first 100 pages. Some very solid plot twists although at times things felt slightly repetitive in the middle, I realized by the end how all of it was tying factors and plot points together. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys magical trials, dark fantasy settings, a touch of romance along the way, and found family.
4 solid stars 🌟
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use and Self harm
vcthompson's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
x_rosered'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Self harm
paperbacksandsnacks'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It felt very YA, which honestly might just be a me problem. I’m aware it’s not an adult fantasy so I’m not marking it down for that. But I am marking it down for being kind of basic and a bit predictable. The ending to me was so obvious 😬
I loved the found family aspect of this. I thought it was beautiful, and the way that Kiva came out of her shell was great. The bonds she formed were lovely and I liked Tipp, Naari and Jaren a lot. But something just felt lacking for me, and I’m yet to put my finger on what. I will continue the series but not in a huge rush. For me I have read other fantasies I prefer and want to prioritise.
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
hapalyn's review against another edition
- 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
This book had me gripped throughout the story; it really felt reminiscent of YA fantasies I read as a younger teen but can't connect with now. However, with that being said, I really enjoyed our FMC and her personality. It feels so found family.
The ending really threw me for a loop because I feel like it makes you reflect on the entire story like.... why didn't this show in her personality and choices? It really was a reveal you can't look for throughout the story, it's simply revealed to you, the reader.
Even with the 'lows' of this book, I found myself enthralled and would recommend to someone who wants a fun fantasy with elements that make you feel cozy and invested.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Terminal illness, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
holyjily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
"The world needs more healers" - Caelena Sardothien
Moderate: Death
Minor: Addiction and Sexual assault
missgarceau'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? It's complicated
3.5
It’s dark and checking TW’s is recommended- but it’s not shock value graphic or unnecessarily brutal in descriptions. The author paints the picture without overdoing it, and I appreciate that.
I had a few mild annoyances but those were mostly “me” problems that I don’t think would bother most people.
1) The plants/science:
It’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine when high fantasy uses real world elements inconsistently along with high fantasy elements unique to the world. The world building was really lacking for me in this regard.
2) How I met your mother:
Another pet peeve of mine is pop culture references in high fantasy. This just 🤦🏼♀️ All of it was so pointless or could have been done in a way that didn’t make me cringe at the very obvious ode to/copy cat of the show.
3) miscommunication trope/ betrayal trope/ secret identity trope/ enemies to who knows- just all my least favorite tropes.
4) Space invasion:
Some very intimate moments for the main love interest happened in a very unlikely moment and very cringe worthy scenario considering the circumstances and it completely undid all the butterflies/ character development I felt up to that point.
My biggest issue is probably world building & character development- but it’s very addicting. Despite my grievances, I find myself itching to read the second book ever though I will probably hate it, based on where the plot is going.
Is this a romance with an HEA? The answer might determine my willingness to continue- honestly.
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic