Scan barcode
iono'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? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Cannibalism, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, and Infertility
deinol's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
crochetasdmamareads'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
4.25
I love that the story is told from the different characters perspectives and every few chapters you get to jump to a different character. Yes there are some things that are predictable in the book but there are some MAJOR things that make you go “wait what!?!”
Jim Butcher has a wonderful way of creating a world and truly giving you so many details without overwhelming you with the details. The main characters are lovable even the antagonists have some redeeming qualities. If you enjoy Larry Correia this would be a good book to try.
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Gore, and Slavery
phantomgecko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
There are other uncomfy elements as well. Didn't love the depiction of the Marat. They were characterized in the beginning as less than human beasts, which was okay until actually interacting with them. Like, wow my guy, these are human people, maybe don't continue describing them like literal animals.
Isana as a character was not very believable for me. Spinster stereotype. Sorry, I just don't believe a capable, emotionally stable adult woman would be jealous of a 14ish year old.
On the other hand, big fan of
Graphic: Animal death and Slavery
Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, Ableism, Torture, Racism, War, Violence, Cannibalism, Misogyny, and Gore
katievallin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Racism, Trafficking, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Kidnapping, Child death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, War, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Ableism, Rape, Body shaming, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, Infertility, and Vomit
emergencybonsai'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence
Moderate: Slavery
olityr'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Slavery
Moderate: Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, War, Violence, Trafficking, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Where to start? I think the whole 600+ pages covers roughly two days (maybe up to four or five, but definitely not even a whole week). Yes, it's multiple POV, but I think part of the problem was that it was sooo long. It seemed like half the time it was the person trying to guess and analyze what another person would do, then next chapter we get the other POV and they are doing the same thing. Later in the book there were some better interactions with show don't tell, but it was pretty rough overall. I considered DNF many times through the book and I think by the time I got to the 50% marker, was when I began to hate read it. I'm talking about when you highlight and comment sarcastically about all the WTF moments and the convenient plot armor at just the right time.
There was no real consistency in the "magic system", like can all of the elemental furies (which I struggled to no read as furries the entire book) alter emotional states? Like, the firecrafters, sure I can see the hotheaded type emotions making sense, but like watercrafters feel all emotions, and then an earthcrafter can also stoke the flames of passion? It seemed like whatever was convenient at the time was what that person would be able to do with their fury.
While on the subject of passion - TW for gang rape. Gross. Why is rape such a common theme in fantasy? It is desensitizing and that whole small plot line was dumb in the first place.
The romantic pairings were also very problematic for me. So much cheating , and then Isana is like, maybe early 20s (referred to as a girl and young woman multiple times) and she is insta-infatuated with an older man who is in his 40s (but don't worry, he looks younger so it's fine when they make out multiple times through the book. Blech.). As for Aldrick and Odiana, they seem to oddly have the healthiest relationship? In like a super creepy way since they are both obsessed with killing.
Will not be continuing with the series even though I've heard this is the worst book and it gets so much better. No thank you.
Minor: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Infertility, Physical abuse, Torture, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Rape, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Animal death, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Slavery, and War
betaluchs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Sexual assault and Slavery
codythegirl's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Sexual assault, Slavery, and Sexual violence