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bialves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
royalraspberry's review against another edition
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a really interesting one because I think it's really outside the wheelhouse of what I normally read - I picked it up for a reading challenge because someone had it listed under "book about your favorite season, winter" and that gets a hard disagree from me, but I did put it under "book with a misleading title".
The writing in this book was absolutely lovely. That said it is 50% world building and 50% political intrigue. And the world building was absolutely spectacular, I really enjoyed all of it. Dabos has created an incredibly interesting world filled with interesting characters (none of whom are trustworthy, but that's part of the fun). But there was just so *little* plot in the book that I really, really struggled.
If you're into fantasy books heavy on character development and world building, this is absolutely the right book for you. It's well written and the narrator for the audio book is completely enchanting to listen to, she brings the rich, beautiful world into a new depth.
The writing in this book was absolutely lovely. That said it is 50% world building and 50% political intrigue. And the world building was absolutely spectacular, I really enjoyed all of it. Dabos has created an incredibly interesting world filled with interesting characters (none of whom are trustworthy, but that's part of the fun). But there was just so *little* plot in the book that I really, really struggled.
If you're into fantasy books heavy on character development and world building, this is absolutely the right book for you. It's well written and the narrator for the audio book is completely enchanting to listen to, she brings the rich, beautiful world into a new depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Blood, Police brutality, and Murder
g_c_geeks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was very slow to get into, but the writing style was beautifully atmospheric. I found myself struggling to get through the first bit, but all of a sudden I had finished it! The second half of the book really picks up as things start to get unravelled and revealed. I’m intrigued by where the rest of the series will go.
I will say though that (what is hinted at being) the main romance is questionable to me. I feel no attachment to either of the characters (or any in the book really). The fmc is too timid in this first book, and the mmc has no discernible personality other than being a brick wall as of yet haha.
Like another reviewer, I was a little disappointed that all the female characters in the book were portrayed negatively, some quite violently. I hope we may get some more positive female characters in the rest of the series.
Regardless, I still enjoyed reading this book. It mildly reminded me of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, mainly due to the flowery language and ‘not much plot just vibes’. That’s a compliment bc the night circus is one of my favourite books.
Will eventually read the rest of the series, particularly bc this book ends on a cliffhanger (and my friend loves these books a lot).
I will say though that (what is hinted at being) the main romance is questionable to me. I feel no attachment to either of the characters (or any in the book really). The fmc is too timid in this first book, and the mmc has no discernible personality other than being a brick wall as of yet haha.
Like another reviewer, I was a little disappointed that all the female characters in the book were portrayed negatively, some quite violently. I hope we may get some more positive female characters in the rest of the series.
Regardless, I still enjoyed reading this book. It mildly reminded me of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, mainly due to the flowery language and ‘not much plot just vibes’. That’s a compliment bc the night circus is one of my favourite books.
Will eventually read the rest of the series, particularly bc this book ends on a cliffhanger (and my friend loves these books a lot).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Physical abuse
paduckling's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The main thing that hung me up in this book is the translation. There are quite a few typos and sometimes the word choice just seems off, which I assume is a product of the translation from French to English. I would love to be able to read this book in its native language one day.
As for the content itself, I really like this book. I think I actually enjoyed it more this second time reading it because I was just so lost the first time around. Usually I enjoy not knowing much going into books but it’s a lot of world-building and characterization to handle and it left me kind of lost. I appreciate the nuance of all the main characters - no one is completely good or likable; they all have realistic flaws.
As for the content itself, I really like this book. I think I actually enjoyed it more this second time reading it because I was just so lost the first time around. Usually I enjoy not knowing much going into books but it’s a lot of world-building and characterization to handle and it left me kind of lost. I appreciate the nuance of all the main characters - no one is completely good or likable; they all have realistic flaws.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
for content warnings: there is use of the M-word by a particular character to refer to shorter people in a derogatory way. There is also fatphobia in the sense of conflating being overweight with indulging in excess as a commentary on societal structure.sydapel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Beware, she's a slllooowww burn folks. Requires massive patience and attention, but the way Davis manges to create a staggeringly vast and yet detailed world is incredible to experience. Like Ophelia, you are thrown into this world with no warning or pretext, lost to the alliances and dangers with no life vest. The "weakness" of the main character is frustrating at times, but to see her begin to find her voice and her determination to see her own way in life is wholly satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, and Abortion
kellyhady's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Police brutality
Moderate: Child abuse
saoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- 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
5.0
It's an easy read and the world building is also easy to follow, from the prologue till the next chapters, how the metaphors are used is essential and pleasing when it evokes a play to create the figment world. This is really more plot driven and if you're looking for romance it's basically just a sublot since Book One focuses on introducing how the system functions and the characters which serve a purpose throughout the story. I'm excited to read the second book and want to see more of Gail and Mother Hildegarde, even some of Ophelia's siblings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
luziefer's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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? No
4.75
I loved visiting this world. It's incredibly fascinating because there's so many different families with new abilities and it's just impressing how immersed one becomes in the story and the new things that can be discovered at the turn of every page.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Murder
aunteaandbiscuits's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A slow set up that leads to a much more exciting sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder