linci's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Injury/injury detail, Blood, Death, Murder, and Physical abuse
vaguely_pink'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
3.5
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Death, Classism, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Alcohol, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, War, Abandonment, and Physical abuse
koistyfishy's review
- 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
4.0
But by page ~100 some magic spell was weaved because I wasn’t just hooked on the story, I was enthralled!
At that point enough of the plot starts to make sense that you start seeing how everything fits into place. Some puzzle piece is placed and finally you can start seeing the bigger picture.
This book should be commended on its world building because it truly is a work of art how the magic system and world are connected and how they work. The intricate layers and differences…but connectedness of it all is truly astounding. I love how well it was all put together and how structured and easy to understand the complex concept is.
What shocked me is this book is a little dark. I mean it does have the word dark in the title… but contrary wise to what I normally read and based on reviews saying this is a must “read book for Fantasy readers”, I was surprised by the level of darkness.
It’s not for YA and definitely for New Adult/Adult as it does does quite heavily on more trigger warning and difficult themes of murder, death, blood (this is a major plot devise and a main tool for the magic system - so it’s mentioned a lot), self harm and hinted or attempted sexual assault. I don’t normally talk about the warnings in a book and only list them, but this book should be noted that it’s not going to shy away from brutal descriptions.
I absolutely love Kell and Lila and their characteristics! Lila is feisty and funny but damn near scary with a blade and Kell is totally serious and sarcastic in that “I’m going to annoy you on purpose manner by being a smart ass, but you are going to love it”. They go together so well and compliment each other so well it makes me squeal…
I don’t understand Holland enough but I hope this book is not the end of him and is enigmatic personality.
Overall I great read (albeit slow for me) but once the story started, I couldn’t put the book down!
Graphic: Violence, Self harm, Physical abuse, Death, Blood, and Murder
fiizso's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, and Torture
rosenau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Violence, Body horror, Murder, Torture, Blood, Injury/injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Gore, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
jules_c's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Self harm, Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/injury detail, and Murder
helena_v12'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Murder, Sexual violence, Slavery, Physical abuse, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault
xnedra2084's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Murder, Blood, Child abuse, Death, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Rape
rebeccajost's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Gun violence, Body horror, Blood, Murder, War, Violence, Torture, Slavery, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, and Sexism
thereadinghammock_mserinv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Death, Injury/injury detail, Self harm, and Torture