robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: War, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
bluejayreads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
This is a very slow-paced book. The actual plot doesn't kick in until over halfway through. The main focus is politics in this slightly-magical version of feudal Japan, and I found the Japan part interesting but the politics not at all. (That's not the book's fault - I am not known for enjoying politics-heavy books). The setting is not as vibrant as I'd hoped, but still enough to keep it from being completely boring. The dispassionate, exposition-heavy narration from both protagonists made it hard to connect with either, and considering one of those protagonists is trained in fighting as a nobleman's son and also possesses supernatural ninja powers, there's remarkably little action. It was okay for one read, but I have no desire to keep reading the series.
Graphic: Death, Murder, Torture, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, Animal death, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Adult/minor relationship
Religious persecution, forced marriagehs122's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Genocide
meredithp's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Genocide, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual harassment
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