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zeloco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual harassment
becca_w_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Incest, Xenophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Vomit, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and War
egurgens'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
There are so many political twists, so much betrayal, blood, gore, spies, magic, bullying, and violence, but it is so so so good. 100% recommend.
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, and Classism
elskabee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ACOTAR meets Assassin's Apprentice
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes:
- Fast paced books
- Morally grey protagonists
- Political intrigue
- Female-led fantasy where romance is barely present
I overall enjoyed my time with this book, especially around the halfway mark and onwards where things really started to pick up. None of the characters are likeable, but that's kind of the point. Horrible people doing horrible things to each other in an entertaining fashion.
The biggest let down was that the stakes and my level interest were so low for roughly the first half of the book. First instalments usually need time to introduce stuff, but that wasn't my problem. It was more that what the characters were dealing with just wasn't interesting, especially when you contrast it to the second half of the book. I definitely think the first half could have been a little more compact with he middle section a bit more expanded and the book would have been better for it. The only other thing that stopped me from rating it higher was that I found the world-building a little lacklustre. I don't think it was suuuper important for this story, but it would have helped in making the world feel more real and immersive.
Overall it was a fun quick read that I had trouble putting down so I'd definitely recommend it.
Graphic: Slavery and Trafficking
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism and Medical content