Scan barcode
fantasyshelves'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
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
charlotte_ab'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
4.75
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy
starccato's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
queerspoons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
rae_bookmarkchronicles's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
eviecate'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? It's complicated
4.5
This series has been a rollercoaster. When this book picked up at the conclusion of the last one I was scared. The first book was, in my opinion, the most intense and with the main character going back to the site of the majority of her trauma, I didn’t have high hopes. However I found this book to be the strongest in the trilogy. By the time I read this book I already had a strong connection to the characters and found myself on the edge of my seat for the majority of it. I did have a bit of difficulty navigating Lei’s first-person POV with Wren’s third-person but I got used to it. While the second book focused on relationships this one was mainly driven by the war. I think that made it stronger however my favorite moments were when characters were vulnerable with each other. Lei and Wren’s connection to one another is where this book really shines. The way they help each other cope with their traumas is beautiful. Ngan does a really good job of making the relationship balanced and not just sidelining Wren as only Lei’s love interest. These characters have both faced intense trauma and their different coping strategies really make them feel like distinct characters. I really liked how the series ended and i felt like everything was wrapped up nicely. This book made me feel every emotion. I didn’t cry but I came close. At the end of the day this book is about women learning to cope with extreme trauma in a society that is built to tear them down. I can have respect for a dystopian fantasy that has real world implications and this one definitely did.
My biggest problem with this book and series as a whole is the marketing to a young adult audience. I picked up the first novel in 2018 when it came out looking for a YA fantasy with a lesbian relationship and while it delivered on this I was shocked by the violence and sexual assault. While there is a trigger warning it is small and easy to miss. I think this marketing is a result of the author being a woman of color and the characters being 17-18 over the course of the series.
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent