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raven_readss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov are of rival gangs and were once lovers
Graphic: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty and Body horror
nightfell'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
4.0
Also Roma is my lil bby, he's so cute idk why I just feel protective over him. Probably because Juliette's so mean.
Marshall, Benedikt and Kathleen are the best characters fight me. I really wasn't expecting Chloe Gong to include as much diversity as she did (other than racial) and it made me so happy. I think in Fantasy YA there typically isn't much diversity other than a black/Asian side character (this could just be me) and I don't see more than one LGBTQ+ character, so to have 3 was so refreshing and gave the story depth and a range in perspectives. Also I could be wrong but I think they're also neurodivergent, love that rep. Marshall and Benedikt's relationship development was so beautiful, I started shipping them about halfway through the book but I didn't actually think they'd be canon I'm so happyyy. They NEED to KISS AND BE TOGETHER. I literally ship them more than Roma and Juliette. I love Kathleen.
After reading the last chapter of the book, I'm not sure if I like Juliette anymore. I know that was the only way to keep them all alive, I think it was smart and I think it was the right thing to do, but Benedikt will have PTSD after seeing his bf dying, grieving, thinking he's dead only to find him alive... that's messed up. But the reason I don't support Juliette is because she basically killed his mum. Like. I know I asked for more antagonism between them but this is too far. The more you think about it, the worse you realise it is. Imagine dating someone who killed your mum. Idc if she didn't directly do it, she told her family the location knowing the type of people they are, the literal BLOOD FEUD they have and their history of ruthlessness and violence, therefore she killed his mum, which he is clearly still torn up about. Roma shouldn't have to sympathise with her, or empathise or have to even see her again, like that is so messed up. I still am probably going to lowkey want them together, because I can't help it, but at the same time I can't fully support their relationship, I just feel so bad for Roma. Also, what he did to her was nothing compared to her betrayal. He killed her servants so she wouldn't die, she killed his mum out of spite. Like what. Anyway.
Overall it was a good book, the pacing was really slow for me, and I think there were a lot of scenes that described the scenery that were a little unnecessary, although they did add to the cinematography of this book. The author did such an amazing job with the writing, truly some of the best writing I've read in a while. I could see all of it vividly in my head; this was a cinematic masterpiece. Can't wait for the sequel.
Also, the detail of the potion that makes someone seem dead from the source material, I thought was so smart, it was so cool to see that detail added, especially because it seems quite different from the original play.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Deadnaming, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, Grief, and Murder
introvertinterrupted's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Stalking