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cryosphinx'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
4.5
But Poppy, Casteel and Kieran are the best and I love their banter. The lead up to the last quarter of the book ramps up then unleashes a whirlwind right up until the end. I am thankful to high hell that I already had the next book.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
thecatconstellation'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Cannibalism, and Alcohol
letiross's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death and Kidnapping
jen1804's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There are parts of this book which felt so reflective for me, the scene with the chamber full of names of the fallen scratched into the walls was haunting. And the overall message of xenophobia throughout this book was deeply harrowing. The way our FMC, Poppy, has the ability to sense others’ feelings and emotions towards her, and the absolute disgust, distrust and hatred she feels just because she was born and raised elsewhere is horrific. Like at one point she gets stoned, and it is AWFUL.
But alongside this incredibly complex plot which keeps you engaged throughout and wanting to learn more about Poppy and her growing abilities, are some fantastically well developed characters. Poppy is so freaking strong, I actually adore her as a FMC. She has such a brilliant personality, unafraid to talk back and unapologetically herself. Casteel is just such a beautiful MMC and I am OBSESSED with their back and forth. Armentrout has created brilliant chemistry between the two of them on the page and I cannot get enough of their constant bickering, flirtatious arguments, Casteel’s dimple smirks and Poppy regularly stabbing Cas because he’s pissed her off, knowing he’ll quickly heal.
And I think the two of them fighting together on the battlefield is one of my fave fantasy couple scenes of all time🙊.
I actually cannot WAIT to find out what happens in the next book because that ENDING!
Satisfactory ending? Yes!
It was the emotion behind the long looks and the seeking touches. The feeling behind the way his arm always tightened around me when we rode together and why he was always messing with my hair. It was the emotion that drove him to draw that line he wouldn’t cross with me. It was why he wouldn’t use compulsion, and it was what allowed him to want to protect me but demanded that he allow me to protect myself. It was how when he was with me, he didn’t think of his kingdom, his brother, or the time he’d been a captive. And it was one of many things forbidden to me as the Maiden. It was love.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and War
Moderate: Child death and Kidnapping
midnacine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Genocide, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
taryn_g's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Death of parent
clairew97's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and War
kerttuli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child death, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape and Torture
kaylahcc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
nicetagg_readingslow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
We pick up right where we left off in the first book. The Dark Prince and The Maiden on the run from the Asteri.
Kerian is by far my favorite character in the series thus far and I love being able to learn more about him and the connection he has to The Dark One. As well as learning his past and meeting his family.
The banter between Poppy and Hawk is perfection and his sadistic like of her stabbing him is definitely kind of hot.
The banter and friendship built between Kerian and Poppy is some of the best character growth in the series.
Watching these characters grow and learn about themselves and each other is definitely an added bonus to this book.
I like book 2 even more than I liked book 1 and now can’t wait to move into book 3.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism