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bookcaptivated's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Racism, Stalking, Abandonment, and Alcohol
midnightrose_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
miak2's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"Besides." Laurent grinned. "An enormous magic fight? This is going to be fun." p. 12
This book kind of felt like being on a roller coaster that's missing one of its wheels: fast-paced, exhilarating, a little dangerous, and just missing that final piece to truly make it a spectacular ride.
But, overall, this book was FUN . This was probably one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a while, maybe not as deep or as polished as some other books, but really fun nonetheless. It's told from a number of perspectives, which you all know I tend to enjoy in fantasy books. At first this was a lot to keep up with - too many characters sharing too much information at once. But it came together really nicely, and the twists and reveals, while not earth-shattering, were pretty fun.
If I had to name the 'wheel' that this book was missing (shh I'm trying to keep the analogy alive), I'd say that this just needed a bit more polish. Howard wasn't scared to go the distance when it came to dramatic events and consequences, and I definitely commend her for that. But the twists were a little predictable, the characters a little shallow, the plot a little simple. Don't get me wrong, as I've stated before, it was a really fun read nonetheless. It just needed a little bit more to turn this from a fun read to a truly spectacular one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
evbyrd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gore, Blood, and Stalking
bookish_itineraries's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was very good. It's The Magicians by Lev Grossman meets A Promising Young Woman (flim). I had my doubts in the first few chapters but was fully engulfed by the end- which didn't play out exactly as I had thought. That is always a plus. The magic was good, the morals better, and the plot well-paced.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence