grets_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking
Moderate: Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Murder, War, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Torture, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexism and Death
Minor: Torture, Death of parent, and War
amschelly153's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
It’s just gorgeous. I’m enraptured by the story and the characters, and I was sad for the story to end! But there will be more story, I just have to be patient haha.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
b_robinson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
1.75
let's just ignore the fact that this took me a whole month to read, and that I'm currently using my last remaining brain cells to write this review
The ARC that I read had so many grammatical mistakes man, it was so frustrating, but hopefully there's been a rigorous revision of this.
I did not enjoy the romance; it's nice that the author wrote a bisexual romance that she could connect to, but I couldn't vibe with the way it was written. We get this long innocent childhood backstory explanation thing, and then they're oh so cruelly torn apart, and when we next see them, the dramatic evolution in the way they thought about each other felt..... idk wrong?? uncomfy?? it was just not it. They first meet when one of them is an ACTUAL INFANT.
also, it honestly felt like there was more chemistry between Amaris and crow demon whatever-the-heck his name was (gadriel?? I think?????) than her and Nox. clearly something is wrong when the MCs are supposed to be so devoted to each other and i want to ship one of them with someone else entirely. but maybe that's just a me thing
LETS TALK ABOUT HOW WEIRD IT FELT TO CONSTANTLY HAVE AMARIS CALLING THE OTHER REEVERS HER BROTHERS AND THEN FLIRTING WITH AND TRYING TO SEDUCE ONE OF THEM. HELLO? WHAT IS UP WITH THAT. PLEASE TELL ME IM NOT THE ONLY ONE BECAUSE I CRINGED AT ALL OF IT.
i would also like to point out that i did not consent to reading about Nox's really sick, awful punishment for the Captain, even though he himself was an absolutely despicable human being. that was gross and unnecessary. sort yourself out.
so yeah. not a 10 out of 10 vibe here, but bonus points for not making me use any brainpower while reading
The ARC that I read had so many grammatical mistakes man, it was so frustrating, but hopefully there's been a rigorous revision of this.
I did not enjoy the romance; it's nice that the author wrote a bisexual romance that she could connect to, but I couldn't vibe with the way it was written. We get this long innocent childhood backstory explanation thing, and then they're oh so cruelly torn apart, and when we next see them, the dramatic evolution in the way they thought about each other felt..... idk wrong?? uncomfy?? it was just not it. They first meet when one of them is an ACTUAL INFANT.
also, it honestly felt like there was more chemistry between Amaris and crow demon whatever-the-heck his name was (gadriel?? I think?????) than her and Nox. clearly something is wrong when the MCs are supposed to be so devoted to each other and i want to ship one of them with someone else entirely. but maybe that's just a me thing
LETS TALK ABOUT HOW WEIRD IT FELT TO CONSTANTLY HAVE AMARIS CALLING THE OTHER REEVERS HER BROTHERS AND THEN FLIRTING WITH AND TRYING TO SEDUCE ONE OF THEM. HELLO? WHAT IS UP WITH THAT. PLEASE TELL ME IM NOT THE ONLY ONE BECAUSE I CRINGED AT ALL OF IT.
i would also like to point out that i did not consent to reading about Nox's really sick, awful punishment for the Captain, even though he himself was an absolutely despicable human being. that was gross and unnecessary. sort yourself out.
so yeah. not a 10 out of 10 vibe here, but bonus points for not making me use any brainpower while reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Blood, Self harm, Grief, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
teadancer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
4.75
I Adored This Book. I went into it knowing very little other than that I liked the author's online content and that it was a queer high fantasy book. I have 0 regrets about going in blind! There were twists and turns that I just wasn't expecting that had me putting the book down to process (a good thing) and then jumping back in to see what happened next. I absolutely lost sleep reading this book. I am now (im)patiently waiting for the next book in May! The ONLY reason I didn't give this a full 5 stars is because of some editorial issues that took me out of the book when reading.
One thing that I was less a fan of was how the main characters grew up together in what felt like a sibling "us against the world" dynamic that then moved into a romantic relationship. I'm not a huge fan of this relationship arc, but do see how it works for these characters.
If you are a fan of a morally gray protagonist, coming into their own character arcs, political intrigue, and wonderful queer rep (without it being about being queer) - read this book!!!
Spoiler
A specific things that I appreciate about this book were the description of dissociation and mental health struggles. The characters felt very real in their struggles and coping mechanisms.One thing that I was less a fan of was how the main characters grew up together in what felt like a sibling "us against the world" dynamic that then moved into a romantic relationship. I'm not a huge fan of this relationship arc, but do see how it works for these characters.
If you are a fan of a morally gray protagonist, coming into their own character arcs, political intrigue, and wonderful queer rep (without it being about being queer) - read this book!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Self harm, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Confinement
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