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thecatconstellation's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
Numair has always been one of my favorite characters, so I really enjoyed reading about his past. I also really enjoyed learning more about the school and how it operates. I really look forward to the next installment to see how things turn between him and Ozorne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Colonisation, and Classism
danielforshort's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I always love Pierce's style of writing- the beginning of this book I was having trouble with the pacing, but once I learned to vibe with the main character it flowed easily
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, and War
jrmrf's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
jenniferrobinson11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
lrosereed's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-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
4.25
I've been waiting over a decade for this book, and it didn't disappoint! Little Arram is completely recognizable as the precursor to the intelligent, focused, and charming adult that we first met in "The Immortals Quartet." Both those of us already familiar with him and new readers will immediately pick up on three important themes: Arram's exploration of his magic, his friendships with Ozorne and Varice, and Arram's connection to the larger socio-political connection to Carthak, particularly to its practice of slavery, which Arram abhors. The book's end left me VERY MUCH looking forward to the continuation of Arram's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
rini's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Vomit
Moderate: Animal death and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
teajay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Slavery
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
macthekat's review against another edition
4.5
4½ stars
I did not want the book to stop.
There some some neat cameos and forshadowing of events in the later books, but I don't think one would notice, if one had not read any other book. I can very much be read by it self.
I really enjoyed the book and it really makes me want to read the next book set in the country - that would be the last of the Immortals series.
It is quite a cozy read - in that way many magical boarding school books are. The students faces challenges, but not world shattering ones. We got a lot of everyday school scenes as well as the big drama scenes.
This is very much a book that take a long hard look at slavery - without being graphic - the protagonist struggles morally with living in a slave society.
It is also a book that deals frankly with the love life of teenagers - they are all allowed to have a number of romantic partners - there is no drama and no judgement in it. Also the boys have a pretty frank talk about morning wood and changing bodies - which is the first I have ever read seen from a boy's perspective.
Hmm I might be talking my self into giving it an extra star and not punishing it for me reading it too late at night and being really sleepy a lot of the time I was reading. I am pretty sure it will work very well at the inevitable reread.
I did not want the book to stop.
There some some neat cameos and forshadowing of events in the later books, but I don't think one would notice, if one had not read any other book. I can very much be read by it self.
I really enjoyed the book and it really makes me want to read the next book set in the country - that would be the last of the Immortals series.
It is quite a cozy read - in that way many magical boarding school books are. The students faces challenges, but not world shattering ones. We got a lot of everyday school scenes as well as the big drama scenes.
This is very much a book that take a long hard look at slavery - without being graphic - the protagonist struggles morally with living in a slave society.
It is also a book that deals frankly with the love life of teenagers - they are all allowed to have a number of romantic partners - there is no drama and no judgement in it. Also the boys have a pretty frank talk about morning wood and changing bodies - which is the first I have ever read seen from a boy's perspective.
Hmm I might be talking my self into giving it an extra star and not punishing it for me reading it too late at night and being really sleepy a lot of the time I was reading. I am pretty sure it will work very well at the inevitable reread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Medical content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Bullying and Sexism
emakay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage
meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
I am not sure what I think of this book. It is very different from what I remember The Immortals Quartet, Song of the Lioness Quartet, and the Trickster Duology to be. This is the first of an unknown number of books which tells of how Arram Draper becomes Numair Salmalín. This books focuses mainly on his schooling in Carthage, and there are few recognizable characters from the other books. It is significantly more violent than the other books, and shows us that Arram Draper is a very different person than Numair Salmalín. The book ended well after it needed to, but well before I thought it should. I'm giving it three stars because I'm not sure how I feel about it. I didn't love it and I'm not sure if I would be interested in reading a sequel (too much violence and bloodshed for me). I didn't enjoy reading it, but I finished it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
If you are highly empathic, this book deals with graphic depictions of violence and minor character death. It has 'uncut' scenes of gladiatorial combat, and slavery. It is not an easy read.