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readyforit'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? It's complicated
4.0
I was promised hunger games with this book but it felt more like fantasy survivor to me! A group of chosen ones go to an island where they take part in various tasks of physical and emotional strengths, alliances are formed and broken, trust is betrayed, and the winner gets to be all-powerful.
I thought the first 7ish chapters were pretty slow due to world-building, but after that I pretty much flew through the book. I started listening to the audiobook alone and I just could not keep up with all the names and places, so I recommend a print version if you’re going to listen to the audiobook.
You have to be okay with isla being an unreliable narrator because she’s so naive, which isn’t necessarily her fault, but it leaves the reader in the dark and confused a lot. There are twists and turns CONSTANTLY. And when you think the climax has climaxed, you get more twists! I think this is a book that needs multiple reads to catch everything. It will be interesting to reread now that I know how it ends. I didn’t love how isla was changing alliances every chapter it seemed. She said multiple times in the book “___ is the only person I trust now.” And it changed every time a plot point happened. Like pick a lane.
I’m not a huge fan of love triangles and idk why they run rampant in YA books. Once again I see a lot of similarities with ACOTAR and Rhys/grim and tamlin/oro. Honestly I didn’t really see a lot of chemistry with either of the love interests! The story is mainly a mystery, with a small romance subplot thrown in at the end. I feel like it was done kind of poorly. Maybe I will feel differently after reading the next book.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping
acbwalsh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cannibalism
lkristin2018's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Blood and Alcohol
natashareadsbooks'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
4.5
Minor: Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
hobbit_96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a great book if you want fantasy that has nothing to do with fae and doesn’t have smut/romance every other page. It’s a slow burn, but even who she ends up with was a surprise for me. I like how the love interests (it’s a love triangle of sorts but more two people like the same person) didn’t think with their lower heads (does Grim get a pass?) for most of the book.
The romance is subtle which I love, and not really the main point of the book.
I absolutely loved the plot because it’s refreshing to me and I was mad that the book ended in a cliffhanger. I want to know what happens!! Especially with Isla’s new…situations. Also, wondering if one of the male MCs will turn villain? So much to ponder 🤔
Minor: Violence, Murder, and War
spatterson7'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
4.25
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Torture, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
izzyreadswhilequilting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Cannibalism
mj_86'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, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and War
esterslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
ev_ve'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
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement and Death of parent