sienna1508'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Grief, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Child death, Excrement, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
k_o's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Vomit, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think the reason I didn't like it as much as I could have is how much YA Fantasy I have already read. At some point it just starts to become repetitive. I really hope that is not true though because I love YA Fantasy. :( If I read this book 2 years ago I would have probably liked it more.
Another concern I had was that certain serious topics where discussed quite graphically which I don't like and which always makes me uncomfortable. It was used to establish Yelenas character and her past trauma but still I wished it had been less graphic.
Nonetheless I will definitely be reading the following books of the series. I also hope Ari and Janco will be in the next booka as well since they were my favourite characters. (Btw. I thought their friendship could have been established better. They basically went from not knowing Yelena to wanting to die for her which felt very rushed.) I guess I just wished it was longer but since it is the first book of a series that's not really a big issue.
Edit: One more thing. I didn't expect the romance to be Between thlse two people for two reasons. 1. it was underdeveloped and 2. he is 33 and she is 19!! I didn't even realise it that much while reading the book but at first I did think he was going to be a sort of mentor/father figure. When they started hinting at a romance I aged him down in my mind but now that I finished the book I looked it up and he really is 33! Idk what to think about that tbh
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Deadnaming, Death, Sexual harassment, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
tiredtori'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? No
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, and Violence
Minor: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit, Addiction, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Excrement, and Kidnapping
berd's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, and Gore
Minor: Deadnaming