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kiwij96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The pacing, the writing, the worldbuilding through the lore, the characters, the romance and friendships. Everything was written so wonderfully. It is genuinely one of the best new YA books out there, 100% recommended this to anyone 13+. The romance even had me kicking my feet and giggling at the age of 27. I just had fun with it. I mean, a lost princess trying to reclaim her family's throne, and a princess in name only being controlled by a power-hungry protector? What's not to love?
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Genocide, Xenophobia, Blood, Colonisation, War, and Classism
abby_can_read'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
This was a cute read. I had a good time. I thought parts were funny. I liked the romance between Rose and Shen, and I thought the relationship between Wren and Tor.
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, and War
Minor: Animal death, Death, and Sexual content
runefiction'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
4.75
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, and War
Minor: Animal death, Death, and Alcohol
oystersauce'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
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, and War
Minor: Animal death and Death
kassidyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, and War
2blueshoes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
There is some romance in this story, but it is not the main focus, and the “heroes” are very much secondary characters. (Albeit very charming ones). Spiciness is fairly tame - it’s mostly longing looks.
Overall a fun read, with increasingly like-able characters. (Low key obsessed with Celeste.) Not life changing - I did not want to stay up all night reading this book, but I’ll definitely read the next one in the series.
Graphic: Gaslighting and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and War
takarakei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
2/5 🌶️ basically some hot and heavy kissing
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Sexual content
taryn_g'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: Confinement, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Alcohol
katvou'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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
louisaroselewis'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
4.75
I found its story compelling in some points, and a relaxing read in others. I loved how well-written the characters were, and the growth in both sisters is lovely to see. It was great to see Rose grow from a gentle princess to a confident ruler. And Wren grows from someone seeking revenge to, again a strong ruler.
Secondly, the romance in the book is truly beautiful and yet utterly heartbreaking. I hope this is explored more in the next book (it surely can't end like that).
I love how the first villain of the story is made inferior to the true terrifying villain by the end as well. It sets up the second book well.
However, as someone who grew up with the tale of the princess and the pauper, I can gladly say it has done it justice and then some.
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, and War