The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
julienicole1106'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
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Child death, Gore, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Violence, War, Classism, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Hate crime, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Confinement, Blood, Bullying, and Gaslighting
emmacartlidge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, and Classism
Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Bullying, and Suicide
Minor: Trafficking and Infidelity
itsheyfay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, Classism, Death, Gaslighting, Blood, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Ableism, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
readwithde'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? No
4.25
I have to say, this might be one of my favorite fictional worlds, and the story happening around and to the MCs is so overwhelmingly amazing. Mare, a simple thief and Red girl ends up having an amazing ability, just like the elite Silvers who rule. Like many female leads, she is thrust into this new world of court, politics, and betrayal, where only power and strength are honored.Â
Unlike the other heroines, Mare remains thoroughly different. She doesn't learn courtly intrigue, she doesn't come to understand the Silvers, and she never chooses romance over her family, her friends, and her Red blood. The comfort and protection and specialness never trick her into forgetting the pain and atrocities of her people. Also, she trains a bit, but she is still outmatched by those who have had decades of work; at the end of the book, she is stronger, but not unrecognizable. It's refreshing.
I saw a few of the twists coming, but it didn't run the story for me. The princes Cal and Maven are interesting and consistent, the Scarlet Guard is active as its own entity (aka not waiting around for the MCs), and the Silvers all have their own games and loyalty.Â
I loved it, and I'm dying for the next book.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Torture, Racism, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death, Gore, Hate crime, Infidelity, Murder, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and War