teleporting_pickle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
This is want a real fantasy is because why can’t there be a different country where LGBTQ+ is not shunned, and sexism is nonexsistant. Sure it’s not realistic to our time but it’s a fantasy so why can’t it be happy like that, I mean there’s still Raila for all the bigots. Anyways loved this book it was a breath of fresh air for the concept and the characters. I liked how loving Cae is like a strong puppy dog. As far as the murder mystery I’ll admit I was not the most interested but still read it. Also the diction was I high caliber for me I was using my kindles dictionary a good amount of the time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
sammuraichan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Body shaming, Misogyny, Vomit, and Sexism
headlessphilosopher's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I was surprised by the language in this book when I first started, and was worried that it would force me to have to re-read over and over to grasp what was being said, but honestly, I grew accustomed to it pretty quickly. Eventually, I stopped noticing it altogether.
This is a beautiful story for a number of reasons. I appreciated the focus on healing from the trauma of sexual assault, and on letting go of learned lies about oneself and one’s worth. The relationship between Vel and Cae was so tender and sweet that it had me grinning so hard my face hurt on more than one occasion.
The politics in general, but especially where it pertained to the question of inheritance, kind of went over my head, but it didn’t cause me to enjoy the book any less. This was a treat to read.
This is a beautiful story for a number of reasons. I appreciated the focus on healing from the trauma of sexual assault, and on letting go of learned lies about oneself and one’s worth. The relationship between Vel and Cae was so tender and sweet that it had me grinning so hard my face hurt on more than one occasion.
The politics in general, but especially where it pertained to the question of inheritance, kind of went over my head, but it didn’t cause me to enjoy the book any less. This was a treat to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Self harm, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Blood, Death, Homophobia, and Outing
Minor: Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
centrifugepolitics's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Self harm and Homophobia
tesshersh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
first things first, HUGE TRIGGER WARNINGS, please take them seriously because the scenes are very descriptive.
I do overall think the authors note is truthful in that it is a story of healing at the end of it all. it’s rough that the triggering content happens so soon into the book before you’ve really gotten the chance to get into the story/characters, so I can def see how it would put someone off from continuing the book.
overall, though, I had a lot of fun reading this! I found the characters likeable and the casual diversity very refreshing. The writing felt a bit like a debut novel at times, and the pacing was overall a bit awkward (a 500+ page book taking place over a week? like 10000 things happen every single day), but tbh I had a really good time with it because I love gay drama!
I do overall think the authors note is truthful in that it is a story of healing at the end of it all. it’s rough that the triggering content happens so soon into the book before you’ve really gotten the chance to get into the story/characters, so I can def see how it would put someone off from continuing the book.
overall, though, I had a lot of fun reading this! I found the characters likeable and the casual diversity very refreshing. The writing felt a bit like a debut novel at times, and the pacing was overall a bit awkward (a 500+ page book taking place over a week? like 10000 things happen every single day), but tbh I had a really good time with it because I love gay drama!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
wilful_wisp's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, and Rape
Moderate: Animal death, Suicide attempt, and Self harm
camiye's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Loved the universe created in this story it made the plot and characters the more special and unique
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Grief, Blood, Self harm, and Vomit
emmagrace's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
As much as I find fault in the overbearing prose, the handholding through the mystery, and the questionable backwards-and-bigoted country vs. perfect-and-welcoming country worldbuilding, I have to admit that I'm rather fond of this heartwarming tale of healing. It gripped me from the start and was exactly what I needed at the moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, and Suicide attempt
beetitnerds's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
Overall: I don't regret reading this book and I'll probably recommend it to people who are comfortable with the content warning topics. I wish the execution was better on an otherwise fun sorta-court romance/drama plot
However: The pacing made it difficult to enjoy either the romance or the mystery. All the characters are enjoyable, so I was happy to read them making friends and falling in love. But the 'falling in love' itself felt forced. Not that chemistry wasn't there, but that the bulk of the romance came from the fact the leads are in a queer romance, and therefore must be in love by the end of the book. It would have been nice to see their romance pushed off until the sequels. The mystery wasn't a real mystery as much as a series of things that happened over the course of a week that are solved when the main characters eventually- literally- accidentally stumble into the villain doing a full monologue. The reader doesn't have a chance to try and solve the mystery themself because we don't know anything about the world until specific details are told to us the moment they become relevant. The villain wasn't exactly a surprise, because it follows pretty standard story conventions, but the reveal wasn't satisfying enough to make the lead-up enjoyable. The villain essentially stares at the camera and explains every plot detail, with the heros occasionally popping in to remind us they're in the room. Even though I really liked each character, there's no actual character development for anyone. Everyone ends exactly where they started, with the exception of one of the main characters, who technically learns to be more open with his affections, but who also doesn't really have a problem with public affection except in occasional offhand remarks about how it would be scandalous in his home-country. I don't want to read about a main character who's homophobic or ableist or classist or sexist or any other version of bigot. But since we're told about how terrible his home-country is, and how every other person from that country is some degree of bigot almost without exception, AND the main character frequently apologizes on behalf of the culture he was raised in, it makes it really weird that he doesn't actually NEED to do any growing. Even the times he does 'mess up', which I'd argue are usually situations in which he thinks he's messed up because of miscommunication and really hasn't, he immediately realizes his mistakes, often as he's making them, and immediately apologizes and corrects himself. This is a book where all the characters assume he's a bigot and a third of his interactions are him explaining about how He's Actually An Ally.
All that being said: The action scenes were fun. I wish the action wasn't left to the last handful of pages, because it was thrilling. All of the characters, even the villains, were very fun to read, and likable. I really liked the focus on friendships, especially pre-existing friendships, ESPECIALLY subverting the Hot Jealous Ex trope. The casual inclusion and diversity of marginalized identities in the book was refreshing. No one felt like a stereotype or a token character. The dialogue always felt authentic, and character choices and motivations always felt realistic and understandable. The magic system and different cultures around it was also fun, though woefully underutilized. The mixed use of first and third person was fun and helped differentiate between the POV characters. The writing, itself, was beautiful. The plot twist at the VERY end- - was fun! I think it's because it was set up earlier in the story in a way none of the mystery parts were.
However: The pacing made it difficult to enjoy either the romance or the mystery. All the characters are enjoyable, so I was happy to read them making friends and falling in love. But the 'falling in love' itself felt forced. Not that chemistry wasn't there, but that the bulk of the romance came from the fact the leads are in a queer romance, and therefore must be in love by the end of the book. It would have been nice to see their romance pushed off until the sequels. The mystery wasn't a real mystery as much as a series of things that happened over the course of a week that are solved when the main characters eventually- literally- accidentally stumble into the villain doing a full monologue. The reader doesn't have a chance to try and solve the mystery themself because we don't know anything about the world until specific details are told to us the moment they become relevant. The villain wasn't exactly a surprise, because it follows pretty standard story conventions, but the reveal wasn't satisfying enough to make the lead-up enjoyable. The villain essentially stares at the camera and explains every plot detail, with the heros occasionally popping in to remind us they're in the room. Even though I really liked each character, there's no actual character development for anyone. Everyone ends exactly where they started, with the exception of one of the main characters, who technically learns to be more open with his affections, but who also doesn't really have a problem with public affection except in occasional offhand remarks about how it would be scandalous in his home-country. I don't want to read about a main character who's homophobic or ableist or classist or sexist or any other version of bigot. But since we're told about how terrible his home-country is, and how every other person from that country is some degree of bigot almost without exception, AND the main character frequently apologizes on behalf of the culture he was raised in, it makes it really weird that he doesn't actually NEED to do any growing. Even the times he does 'mess up', which I'd argue are usually situations in which he thinks he's messed up because of miscommunication and really hasn't, he immediately realizes his mistakes, often as he's making them, and immediately apologizes and corrects himself. This is a book where all the characters assume he's a bigot and a third of his interactions are him explaining about how He's Actually An Ally.
All that being said: The action scenes were fun. I wish the action wasn't left to the last handful of pages, because it was thrilling. All of the characters, even the villains, were very fun to read, and likable. I really liked the focus on friendships, especially pre-existing friendships, ESPECIALLY subverting the Hot Jealous Ex trope. The casual inclusion and diversity of marginalized identities in the book was refreshing. No one felt like a stereotype or a token character. The dialogue always felt authentic, and character choices and motivations always felt realistic and understandable. The magic system and different cultures around it was also fun, though woefully underutilized. The mixed use of first and third person was fun and helped differentiate between the POV characters. The writing, itself, was beautiful. The plot twist at the VERY end-
Spoiler
That the villain's plan was totally unnecessary and her plan was always going to cause her own downfall
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Murder, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Transphobia
The book provides a clear content warning for most of its violence, and the sensitive topics are written thoughtfully, but they are nonetheless present and sometimes written in graphic detail.