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lowclasswarrior's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The first half of the book fell flat for me. It felt like mostly setup. Most of the characters were pretty one dimensional. (Maybe that’s just the challenge with a first person pov.) Plot lines felt like they needed more time to ruminate as well as a lot of “tell don’t show” going on.
However, I enjoyed the second half of the book much more, and I was even inclined to pick up the sequel. I don’t know. I like how cheeky Cardan is. I think their dynamic would’ve been more impactful had they interacted more in the first half. It was very “he’s so cruel” when it’s mostly Cardan taking a backseat while his friends were being cruel. Maybe Jude is supposed to be an unreliable narrator?
However, I enjoyed the second half of the book much more, and I was even inclined to pick up the sequel. I don’t know. I like how cheeky Cardan is. I think their dynamic would’ve been more impactful had they interacted more in the first half. It was very “he’s so cruel” when it’s mostly Cardan taking a backseat while his friends were being cruel. Maybe Jude is supposed to be an unreliable narrator?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
ascoobydoo's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ren_getsu's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
a_chickletz's review against another edition
2.0
I guess I'm too used to Holly Black's stories. I also blame it on the fact that I feel I've read this before.
None of the twists surprised me. Nothing surprised because it wasn't anything new.
I wanted something with depth, something I never seen before - something that featured more danger. Instead, I got the same tropes and the same angsty guy secretly loves the main character bs.
It's a beautifully written book. It was lovely seeing the characters I knew from my teen years gobbling up Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside. But like Jude said (not quoting), it's fun at first... then you grow up. I guess I outgrew Holly Black stories.
She's still the best author when it comes to faeries, but not when it comes to writing plots.
None of the twists surprised me. Nothing surprised because it wasn't anything new.
I wanted something with depth, something I never seen before - something that featured more danger. Instead, I got the same tropes and the same angsty guy secretly loves the main character bs.
It's a beautifully written book. It was lovely seeing the characters I knew from my teen years gobbling up Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside. But like Jude said (not quoting), it's fun at first... then you grow up. I guess I outgrew Holly Black stories.
She's still the best author when it comes to faeries, but not when it comes to writing plots.
brenda_mncr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
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? Yes
3.25
obvious_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
3.75
"If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse."
Jude is iconic, do I have to say more? I loved the political plot in the book, I was not expecting to become so interested with Faerie and the fae folk, but here I am! One thing i do have to mention is the world-building, was quite poor.
Jude is iconic, do I have to say more? I loved the political plot in the book, I was not expecting to become so interested with Faerie and the fae folk, but here I am! One thing i do have to mention is the world-building, was quite poor.
lil_loves_books's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0