Scan barcode
ofbooksandechos'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage, Torture, Murder, and Pregnancy
other CWs: grooming, fictional racism/racial slurs, fictional police brutalityqueenie_ofthe_void'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
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism
Personally just hated thr ending. Left feeling unfulfilled. After two whole books and all this built up soul-mates and destiny, they only end up together *hypothetically* in the monologue. Why. WHY?! That is some bullshit. And fade to black... AFTER ALL OF THIS. no. Everything else was amazing. Malik and Karina are amazing.booksthatburn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Karina and Malik's relationship is complicated, with lies and misunderstandings from A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN meddling in what ought to be a simple case of one hunting the other to try and stop the fall of the kingdom. Farid is a well-written manipulator, wrapped up in his own plans and unable to see the difference between someone agreeing with him and one who's just placating him to avert his anger and disappointment from falling on them. His frustrations make sense with his character and circumstances, his increasingly complicated plans hum along in the background of everything Malik and Karina try to accomplish.
This wraps up more than one major thing left hanging from the first book. The main storyline starts here and was only lightly present previously. There are several major things that are both introduced and resolved, and as part two of a duology it’s an immensely satisfying ending. The main characters are the same and they’re consistent with their portrayals in the first book. This might make sense if someone tried to start here and hadn’t read the previous book, it does a good job of referencing prior events without devolving into a full recap. It was definitely enough to pull me fully into the story even though it’s been a while since I read A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN and my recall was initially fuzzy. I'd basically forgotten what happened before and it gently reminded me at gradual intervals as various previous events became relevant. The current stakes and past drama are clearly communicated, and the emotional context is vibrant.
The ending is excellent. There's still a lot of work to do and a lot of life for the survivors to live, and it's okay that this story stops here since it had to stop somewhere. I love the framing device, it satisfied my need to know what happens next.
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse, Incest, and Vomit
CW for grooming.yvonne_cl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, and Alcohol