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elisaviihde's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Torture
might_be_may's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Kidnapping, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Torture, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
rachelunabridged'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
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Blood, and War
Minor: Animal death and Alcohol
extravagantly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i’ve only read 5 of brandersons work, but i think this one is the weakest/my least favorite. not that it’s objectively, i just felt like for the first half of the book i was reading an alternate AU of mistborn. taking down the corrupt ruler, an unassuming girl getting some power, charismatic leader character, etc. obviously didn’t end up being the case but for a good minute i was not excited to read vivenna’s perspective.
i will say the magic system is splendid. very unique and just generally pleasant to read about. but the ending felt a bit rushed. idk if this is because i was reading it so quickly or if it was all happening too quickly.
there were also some moments where it felt very telly and not a whole lot of showy. vivenna loves her sister so so so much… but we got no semblance of that before the inciting incident. siri is constantly told that she ignored her tutors lessons, she’s not fit for this, etc. got a lil old. also reading about every time their hair changed colors. i was like we get it
i very much enjoyed it. i’ve read 5 branderson books so far and im still shocked when somehow he turns the last 30 pages into a solid ending.
i very much recommend this book but if you are working your way specifically to clear his bibliography, maybe read this one later on, or as a break between his longer books
EDIT:
after thinking more on this book i had to bump it down a star because why [spoiler] did the villains end up being the oppressed group of people who just wants to get back at their imperialist oppressors? it’s a bit odd imo and it seems strange when mistborn is like the opposite of this one in terms of messaging. like bluefingers could’ve been a kelsier character who’s fighting for his people…
Moderate: Torture and Violence
Minor: Death, Murder, and Pregnancy
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
faemh's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death
Minor: Torture
adragoninspace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence
badbadwolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Infertility, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
takarakei'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? No
4.5
I just honestly had a GOOD ASS TIME reading this book. Really enjoyed the characters! Lightsong especially was just hilarious (also one of my fav tropes: the reluctant hero). The interactions between characters was fun to read, good banter. Sanderson is really good at writing distinctly different povs and then weaving them into a storyline that comes together in the end. THE MAGIC SYSTEM is SO cool! Felt like magic created for visual artists for sure.
The ending was what is described as a typical "Sanderlanche" where there's really a point of no return while reading and you're not gonna wanna put it down. So much happens at the end it's a lil nuts in a "I'm at 96% in this book and HOW is this gonna end" way - and how it does end is a little abrupt. Supposedly, Sanderson is going to write more in this world, and I could definitely see how that's possible with where things end (although it is definitely still a standalone so no worries about a cliffhanger).
So far... this is my top rated Sanderson book, but I've just started Stormlight and was told to read this before Words of Radiance (which I have HIGH expectations for).
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture, Murder, and War
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
russell183'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? No
4.75
An excellent stand alone Cosmere novel with amazing characters, compelling twists and turns, great world building, and another wild magic system.
It’s quite long and drags a tad here and there but in the last half of it is a true can’t put it down page turner and the climax is so excited. Also the character development *chef kiss*. It also has an interesting inversion of some beauty and the beast and damsel and distress trope.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Animal cruelty and Sexual violence