The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ladydeathnesta'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Grief, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, Classism, Bullying, Body horror, and Abandonment
All of the content warnings are really for the whole series, as I can’t remember specifics to everything in this book.cait's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Death of parent, Gore, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Vomit, Body horror, Child death, Child abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, War, Blood, Bullying, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Genocide, Murder, and Slavery
autumnrh'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail
vvsmydiamonds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It had an intriguing plot, but mediocre world-building imo. The love triangle was so bland and useless. I did not care for either boy past their platonic involvement and frankly, don't understand how or why Celaena made time for all that flirty shit when she had more essential matters. Celaena could be prideful, illogical, and childish to a frustrating point but that's to be expected.
People shit on this next aspect and call it Celaena "switching up" or "changing personalities." Personally, I liked seeing her grow from a girl in slavery, holding on to her spirit and memories of her life into a confident, witty, young woman (who made frequent silly decisions) who also grew in health and strength and began to trust/depend on others. Her character development isn't near complete, but I'm happy that she at least didn't remain stagnant. I wish she cared more about certain matters; she'll be recalling information she just received basically saying "... or something of the sort" or "... whatever that was" like bruh... you don't think that's kind of important?
One thing I enjoyed the entire time was the humour and Calaena's occasional relatability. Also, the descriptions of the dresses were nice but sometimes a cool "it was a flowy purple gown" is good, yfm. I also appreciated that she had hobbies and how she wasn't some one-dimensional #hot #coolgirl #blackwidowinphase1mcu assassin. Not gonna lie though, her reputation seems a little too good. Adarlan's Assassin is cool but homegirl is not the "Queen of the Underworld." As far as we've been told, she only really operates in the northern part of the continent, though she's been to all over, and has only been active for ten years, nine if you factor in the prison/slavery time. You can't tell me no one in her world is better/more popular than her. I have higher hopes for the next book!
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Murder, Slavery, and Body horror
Minor: Drug use, Rape, Vomit, Sexual violence, and War
ashleynp24'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
4.25
I am reading this as the first book I’m the series, even though a lot of people say you can read it third.
I liked her relationship with Nehemia a lot and love the female friendship angle. I feel that a lot of the relationships between champions could have been built up more, especially hers with Nox.
Chaol and Celaena probably had my favorite dynamic in the book, and I like them together more than her and Dorian even though he’s kind of the main love interest. It’s giving “love triangle” for most of the book so I’m excited to see where it goes.
Great world building so far and I’m interested to see more of it as she fights for her freedom.
Graphic: Genocide, Drug use, Classism, Slavery, Body horror, Violence, Kidnapping, Blood, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, Death, Vomit, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Panic attacks/disorders
meghansarmiento97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Confinement, Cannibalism, Gore, Blood, Murder, Vomit, Body horror, Death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Alcohol
dalek_caan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Violence, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Blood, Colonisation, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and War
cameronmh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Torture, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Gore, Violence, War, Blood, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, and Animal death
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Cursing, Rape, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Gaslighting, and Drug abuse
There is poison! Both a theoretical poisoning (a controlled environment, but still theoretically very dangerous) and a second scene with a purposeful poisoning with an agent that can cause death. There are also hallucinations (which end up to be technically real) caused by the poisoning.vaguely_pink's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Blood, Body horror, Gore, and Drug use
Minor: Alcohol, Suicide, War, Gaslighting, Classism, and Sexism
hgunsch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Torture, Body horror, Death, and Violence
Minor: Vomit