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swally2005's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This book is super slow and does not pick up until the second half of the book. I was listening to the audiobook version and it took until 65% was completed, before anything interesting happened plot-wise. I don't know why people hype up this book and the relationship dynamic between Jude and Cardan, maybe it changes in the later books; but in this book, Cardan and his friends are sadistic assholes who despise Jude for being human, and regularly torture her, going even so far as physical assault. There's nothing charming about Cardan's personality at all, and he doesn't even begin speaking to her like a human being, until after his entire family is murdered and she kidnaps him and ferrets him away for use in her power games. Even then, the attitude change is mostly brought along by the fact that she's constantly threatening to kill him, and she's also bound him to her commands.
If you can get through the first half of the book where it's basically Jude fluctuating from making reckless half-assed decisions out of murderous rage, to whining in self-pity when she has to deal with the consequences, you may find it worth continuing the series. Essentially the ending comes down to Jude playing Kingmaker, and in future books she'll likely have to find a way to deal with power games and intrigue in court, so hopefully that means for more interesting plots down the road.
An additional heads up for those who are listening to this via audiobook, this author's writing style is a bit verbose and weird; she also doesn't use many contractions for some reason, so when the narrator reads, the speech sounds very odd to the ear. Some people might find it a difficult listening experience.
If you can get through the first half of the book where it's basically Jude fluctuating from making reckless half-assed decisions out of murderous rage, to whining in self-pity when she has to deal with the consequences, you may find it worth continuing the series. Essentially the ending comes down to Jude playing Kingmaker, and in future books she'll likely have to find a way to deal with power games and intrigue in court, so hopefully that means for more interesting plots down the road.
An additional heads up for those who are listening to this via audiobook, this author's writing style is a bit verbose and weird; she also doesn't use many contractions for some reason, so when the narrator reads, the speech sounds very odd to the ear. Some people might find it a difficult listening experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Torture, and Toxic friendship
livaausma's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Torture, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
baileybeloved's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Suicide and War
readingoccasionally89's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
noellegrace8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
It took me about 25% of the way through to start truly enjoying this book. Because it takes the path of a slow reveal of situations and motivations, the beginning groundwork can be almost frustrating because you don't know why some people are acting the way that they are. Also, for a book with so much death and otherwise adult themes, the characters and the writing style both are a bit juvenile at times. I struggled at first with the incongruency of a lack of contractions in dialogue mixed with colloquialisms like "that sucks," but I eventually got used to it and do recognize that it makes sense given the setting. I also really hate first person present tense because it feels overdramatic and impractical, and this book uses it throughout.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
margaretudza's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
The best book I could ever read this year, truthfully. I loved everything it had to offer, the world, the characters, the plot-twists, the bloodshed, tears and desire for power. I love Jude so much, and the fact that she is only a human being, no powers, simple brown hair and brown-walnut eyes? Amazing. I loved everything about it! 11/10
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Violence
yasaman's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Self harm, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism
elisabethstre's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
junge dieses buch war not at all what i expected, but I LOVED IT
THE DARK MYSTERIOUS FANTASY? THE POLITICS??? i ate that shit up!! alterrrr die intrigen und plotttwists, das war alles SO GEIL, ich habe so viel nicht kommen sehen!!!! war geschockt
die ganze welt war so magisch und brutal; ich war so froh, nicht von einer heilen schönen feenwelt zu lesen, sondern von dieser abgefuckten grausamkeit und diesen komischen gestalten?? geil
jude war ganz anders, als ich sie mir vorgestellt hab! SHE WAS AN ICONIC, MORALLY GREY ANTIHERO and i love that for her!!!
ihr charakter war manchmal leider nicht soo richtig greifbar; ich hab es aber so gedeutet, dass sie die meiste zeit selbst noch nicht richtig wusste, was sie will und sich noch sucht; wenn das in den folgeteilen besser ist, hab ich nichts gesagt. i love her already!!
wirklich keine person in diesem buch ist ein guter „mensch“, alle waren irgendwie SO BÖSE und haben irgendwelche geheimen schemes gehabt, i ate that uppppp omg. jude auch nur bedingt sympathisch (bin mir nicht so sicher, ob ich sie mag?), but i was rooting for her, she was a queen and she was the moment!!!
das buch war fr 80% fantasy politics, es erinnerte mich stark an game of thrones, aber das hats auch so geil gemacht. it kept me guessing, wer der wahre feind ist und ich LIEBE DAS!! brauche sofort den zweiten teil
THE DARK MYSTERIOUS FANTASY? THE POLITICS??? i ate that shit up!! alterrrr die intrigen und plotttwists, das war alles SO GEIL, ich habe so viel nicht kommen sehen!!!! war geschockt
die ganze welt war so magisch und brutal; ich war so froh, nicht von einer heilen schönen feenwelt zu lesen, sondern von dieser abgefuckten grausamkeit und diesen komischen gestalten?? geil
jude war ganz anders, als ich sie mir vorgestellt hab! SHE WAS AN ICONIC, MORALLY GREY ANTIHERO and i love that for her!!!
ihr charakter war manchmal leider nicht soo richtig greifbar; ich hab es aber so gedeutet, dass sie die meiste zeit selbst noch nicht richtig wusste, was sie will und sich noch sucht; wenn das in den folgeteilen besser ist, hab ich nichts gesagt. i love her already!!
wirklich keine person in diesem buch ist ein guter „mensch“, alle waren irgendwie SO BÖSE und haben irgendwelche geheimen schemes gehabt, i ate that uppppp omg. jude auch nur bedingt sympathisch (bin mir nicht so sicher, ob ich sie mag?), but i was rooting for her, she was a queen and she was the moment!!!
das buch war fr 80% fantasy politics, es erinnerte mich stark an game of thrones, aber das hats auch so geil gemacht. it kept me guessing, wer der wahre feind ist und ich LIEBE DAS!! brauche sofort den zweiten teil
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ohtoasty's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Jude is the main character of this story. She is written in a badass kind of way, wanting to be stronger than the limitations that life gives her. She wants to overcome the challenges in her way, even though they logically seem near impossible (not completely impossible, but incredibly difficult). I like that at Jude's core, she cares for her sisters and her family, but she cares for herself first and foremost. She is going out of her way, to get what she wants, and she does not care about who may be in her way. Things happen in this book simply because of her sheer will and determination. I find that I don't know why her body is filled with such spite and ill will, the author does not fully explain her motivations at times. But I can look past that.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Alcohol, and Classism
scythe_2006's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder