xta_07'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
4.75
While both the beginning and the end of the book were very exciting and fun to read, I had trouble maintaining my momentum through the middle. What truly carried me through were the characters. They shine in this story; they all feel incredibly real. I really particularly enjoyed
Spoiler
Cywens journey, and her budding relationship with Vedaris and Alcyon. Even though she is their captive, they end up caring about each other.John Gwynne has a knack for taking a tangled spider web of a plot and weaving it all together in a beautiful tear stained tapestry. I am both exited and scared to pick up book 3!
Graphic: War, Blood, Violence, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Rape, Torture, and Confinement
russelmcq's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
A violent, emotional upheaval that grabs you and shakes you.
As a newer fantasy reader and having gone from Tolkien to this, I can appreciate both sides immensely.
Graphic: Torture, War, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Suicide attempt, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, Death of parent, and Gore
bebby92'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: War, Death of parent, Death, Gore, and Blood
kat1105'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Violence, Animal death, Confinement, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Murder, and Slavery
Moderate: Child abuse, Trafficking, Ableism, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual violence
darkefyres's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Death of parent, Death, and Slavery
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Confinement, War, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
ocean_the_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I'm really hoping Veradis either changes sides or helps Nathair realize what's going on. And I knew I was right to not trust the Vin Thalun.
The last 200 pages was such a rollercoaster and the ending made me sob.
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Blood, Murder, Death of parent, War, and Violence
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
jaedia'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Violence, War, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Death of parent, Blood, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Murder, and Slavery
Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Medical content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Torture, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Excrement, Fatphobia, Animal death, Alcohol, Vomit, and Body shaming
kylieqrada'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia
seanml'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
Highlights: Cywen, Camlin, Alcyon, and Veradis. And to top them all off, the tale of Maquin.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, and Torture
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Misogyny
kelsiers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Blood, Gore, and Torture