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sabrinz's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
After These Violent Delights I was intrigued by yet another Shakespear retelling.
The story and the mystery and lore of this neon-drenched world is more than fascinating, this book lost me a bit with how jumpy some of the story seemed to be. The tournamet Calla and Anton participate in is the main device to get them both closer to their respective goals and each other, but it seemed more like a story device to move things along rather than something that was really intigrated into the world.
Nevertheless, I was hooked by the world-building and glimpes of the characters we got along the way as well as some sneak peeks at things that may be relevant later on.
I am still not quite certain if I'm on board with how unhinged all the characters seem to be, but it was enjoyable to read and shake my head at them.
I will definitely read book 2 to see where this is going, esp. with that ending :)
The story and the mystery and lore of this neon-drenched world is more than fascinating, this book lost me a bit with how jumpy some of the story seemed to be. The tournamet Calla and Anton participate in is the main device to get them both closer to their respective goals and each other, but it seemed more like a story device to move things along rather than something that was really intigrated into the world.
Nevertheless, I was hooked by the world-building and glimpes of the characters we got along the way as well as some sneak peeks at things that may be relevant later on.
I am still not quite certain if I'm on board with how unhinged all the characters seem to be, but it was enjoyable to read and shake my head at them.
I will definitely read book 2 to see where this is going, esp. with that ending :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Trafficking and Death of parent
renewed_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. There were entertaining parts but the pacing was quite off toward the end. I also think two key characters were underdeveloped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content and Police brutality
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and War
entropyseeker's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Am absolute banger of a book. It gave me everything I wanted for a fantasy novel AND I didn't have to read poorly written smut to get there. This story is drenched in the blood of kingkillers and every detail had me reading on. The romance felt tense and and written perfectly in tune with thenmain characters, the motives and backgrounds were clear and MADE SENSE While I expected every twist, it hit in such a satisfying way that I didn't mind. Can't wait to start the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
clhtdr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
thebelovedreadingnook's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Classism
ipekcav's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Entertaining read! I felt some of the plot points were rushed. The romance aspect felt rushed. Great twists and ended on a fantastic note. Gong could leave it where it ended but there is clear opening for a second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content
thesnarkside's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Child death and Classism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
theycallmebookish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.25
This dystopian enemy to lovers story follows Princess Calla on her mission to save her people. This was very body snatchers meets Hunger Games meets the Expanse. I enjoyed the world building and the creativeness that went into even thinking up this book but I will also say I was super confused a good chunk of the beginning of the book. The body jumping and different color eyes and introducing so many characters at once was a lot to follow. And because there was so much happening in the story there were a few plot holes. A big one I can’t mention because of spoilers but if you read this you might know what I mean. I’m curious to see what the next book brings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Classism
rexpostfacto's review against another edition
3.25
Did I have a good time? Yes. Did I understand any of it? No.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, and Classism
sarasreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.5
This is a book where you can't let your mind wander or you'll miss a vital piece of information. It was a lot of info, yet I still sometimes had a hard time following and remembering the info that was given.
I flew through this though, and generally had a good time with it. I had some squabbles, especially with the speed of the romance and how the characters seemed to fundamentally change as it progressed. I didn't realize this wasn't a standalone, but I might give the next one a go.
I flew through this though, and generally had a good time with it. I had some squabbles, especially with the speed of the romance and how the characters seemed to fundamentally change as it progressed. I didn't realize this wasn't a standalone, but I might give the next one a go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Classism