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seriouslyobsessedbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
deep_sea_fishie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I really liked this book because I found that there was a lot of pretty interesting 'world-building' where we just got to kind of see jude's day to day life without too much BIG changes and wild plot-twists (well compared to the other 2 books especially. Though I kind of found Jude to be another boring mc (though bearable enough). I kind of liked cardan despite his actions, he is a silly (but mean) guy.
Graphic: Bullying, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Suicide, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
baileybeloved's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Suicide and War
suerte_encantada's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Blood, and Classism
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
vexillia'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
The premise of the book is easy to follow and understand. Jude wants to be a knight and more over wants to belong with the Faeries. It's a great introduction to fantasy novels that isn't too overly complicated with dark themes balanced with mystery amd the occasional lighthearted moments. The twists are great in my opinion and was a intriguing read
-characters
I love Jude. Her attitude and humor (though unsure at times she meant to be funny, at least to me) was pleasant. It's easy to connect to being an outsider and wanting more for yourself and in the process possibly losing yourself. The other characters were fun and I'm intrigued to read the rest of the series to see what secrets they hide and more depth to their characters that don't meet the eye. Already I love Cardan and Oriana.
-world building-
Don't go into this thinking it's like Acotar or a typical fantasy. I would compare this more to the world that the ShadowHunter Series from Cassandra Clare comes from, it's a mix of the real world clashed with true fantastical magic. Toads and trolls and mermaids and imps and such. It gives a far more childlike fantasy that you'd find in a storybook. I found it a tiny bit jarring sometimes with mention of Target and such but it's a fun world.
-spice-
This book isn't very spicy with a little fluff here and there but one scene really had me wishing for more and a desire to see how far the author will go but I did enjoy the focus more on character building and the plot, not being too steamy but just enough to get a taste.
-readability-
I devoured this book and usua,ly if I enjoy a book I savor it. This was hard to put down once we got halfway thru the book. Again I think it's a easy to follow plot and interesting enough storybook type fantasy for beginners to delve their toes in but also a pleasant read for lovers of storybooks that created wonder for us as children and can enjoy that along with some of its dark undertones.
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
readingoccasionally89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
noellegrace8'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
4.5
That being said, I really like the main characters. Some of the side characters are a bit flat, but Jude, Cardan, Maddoc, Vivvie, Dain, Taryn, Oriana... none of them are "good" or "bad." They just are. They make decisions, they have instincts and natures that make those decisions difficult. I love the complexity! I also think this book set up a series (trilogy) well, so I'm hoping to like the next two even more! The worldbulding is awesome. Holly Black has created a very interesting mix of "fae" and "mortal," complete with rich history and quirks and physical descriptions.
I don't factor audiobook reader into my overal star rating, but I give Caitlyn Kelly 3.5/5⭐️. Honestly, I think she was part of the reason I struggled to get into this book, but there's no telling for certain. She oftentimes doesn't seem to read with the same cadence that the words on the page suggest. She also has a cheesy tone when voicing male characters and over-acts when it comes to emotional (and even sometimes non-emotional!) scenes.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Xenophobia, Excrement, Grief, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and War
lyr1cal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
threadpanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Death of parent, and Classism
ohtoasty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can't look past the world building though. I think I am intrigued enough to pick up the second book, because I am curious as to how the story moves through the book series, but I honestly have no fucking idea what is going on. There are other courts? Okay. I have no idea how much power they have and how that may differ from where she is living. Are they all located in the same location? Or do they travel? What kind of power do they have and is it different? Fuck if I know. I had the idea that some courts are more important than others, but I have absolutely no idea how they relate to each other and how important they are overall. I have zero idea what the governing system is like. The main point seems to be that a relative needs to place the King's crown on the new King's head. That is the most important aspect and I got that, but anything else, fuck if I know. I don't even know how important being a Knight is and what kind of status that gives you, just the fact that Jude wanted to be one.
I didn't care for Taryn, Jude's sister. She consistently gives up, wants to be a quiet small mouse, totally fucks over her sister for what seems to be very little reason. Like okay I guess. Vivienne is a lot more interesting to read. Technically a part of that world but desperate to not be. Queer and willing to take care of the younger brother in the mortal world. Way more interesting of a character and I'm excited to see more than her.
I don't really care at all for Cardan. I understand why he's sad, he's been pushed over, ignored, tortured by his family, he resorted to alcohol and not giving a fuck. He clearly had a very complicated view of Jude. She was beaten down over and over again but never ever gave up whereas he chose that path consistently. Apparently that angered him. Now she has power over him for a year and is awkwardly flirting I guess. Sure. I'm gay so angsty book boyfriends are hard for me to actually be interested in. He was no different. Not the worst I've ever read but not anything to gush over.
Book had a slow start considering how bad the world building was. Everything was leading up to the first plot point felt slow, the twist and everything after felt fast. Wish it had more even pacing throughout and that I understood what the fuck was going on.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Alcohol, and Classism