teddy_books's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, Rape, and Sexual violence
sipnayan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Grief, Torture, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, War, Homophobia, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Vomit, Cursing, and Trafficking
tinysierra's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the moments that Lei founds strength in love and friendship.
In spite of only getting a little glimpse of Lei’s family in the herb shop at the beginning, their bond and the coziness of Lei’s home came across well.
I liked the cultures that the author set up. The world-building was fascinating. Not every character feels the same way about the situation as our main character does, so it makes them feel all the more realistic.
The romance was cute!
Sex work and same sex couples are stigmatized by some characters in the book.
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, War, Homophobia, and Pandemic/Epidemic
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Animal death, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Slavery, Classism, Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Outing, Medical content, Sexual content, Grief, War, Death of parent, Bullying, Colonisation, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Vomit
morganraine's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Rape, Colonisation, Death, Genocide, Grief, Gore, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, and Police brutality
runes_reads'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
3.75
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, Medical trauma, Grief, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Kidnapping, Animal death, Trafficking, War, Murder, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
Moderate: Outing, Gore, Adult/minor relationship, Torture, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Death of parent, Mental illness, Confinement, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit
ly_do's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Blood, Classism, and Torture
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Grief
sweetchocolatez's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Murder, Violence, Torture, Racism, Kidnapping, Homophobia, Death, Blood, Medical content, Bullying, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcohol and War
cdoubet's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Alcoholism, Animal death, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Slavery, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
nutmegandpumpkin's review against another edition
- 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
Characters: 4.5/5
Dialogue: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Descriptions: 4.5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Personal Enjoyment: 5/5
- - -
Beautifully written and gracefully takes on dark / heavy topics. The plot was captivating and the world building (it’s a Malaysian inspired fantasy) was really cool and was integrated into the story naturally.
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Sexual violence, Classism, Confinement, Murder, Sexual assault, Blood, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Rape, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit
Minor: Infertility, Child death, and War
Although there is an abundance of trigger warnings and very heavy / dark topics within this book, they’re done with grace and class. They are not there for shock factor or anything like that. That being said, because of these triggers and topics, this book might not be right for everyone.