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bookishdreamer's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Confinement, Racial slurs, and Sexism
Minor: Homophobia, Torture, and Transphobia
jamielikestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Torture
Moderate: Racism and Slavery
Minor: Homophobia
kati_illes's review
I really wanted to like this book, and made myself read one more chapter, but I think I'm giving up. It's not a bad book, but I also didn't find it good. It's hard to pin point why I didn't enjoy the book, but I will try write some of my thoughts.
I think I found this book when looking for fantasy with queer characters and it does have that. The books have a lot of characters with diverse identities, which is one of the good things about the novel. However, sometimes the way the represenation / identity is introduced is really clunky.
My first issue with the book was that is has too many POV characters. The four characters from the Shelter are very good and fun to read about, the book could have focused only on them and not introduce two more big plotlines. And even though there are at least 12 POV characters, there are only few women with rare and short chapters. It's weird from a book which strongest point is representation.
What I disliked the most is the villain. He's almost comically bad, and that made it really difficult to understand why people don't leave, try make (legal) steps against him or just simply murder him. Why did Nevian stay for 2-3 years when he was not learning anything but tortured regularly? It didn't make any sense for me.
And then we have Hasryan who is supposed to be an experienced assassin, but the mistake he made is just so stupid. Why would he use the same, very easily recognizeable knife for 10 years? Why is he killing all his marks with knife?
I love slow books but here the plot barely existed because we were jumping between so many characters. And I couldn't really care about the plot because of the above reason. Oh, and Diel sometimes felt like a hypocrite, being all for social justice but it didn't seemed like he is actually doing somethin with his immense power and influence. And Branwen as a spymaster is laughable, because everyone in town knew she is the spymaster.
The book had some good ideas, but I think it wanted to squish too many ideas into the story. I would have gladly read the story only of the Shelter, that seemed like the heart of the book.
I think I found this book when looking for fantasy with queer characters and it does have that. The books have a lot of characters with diverse identities, which is one of the good things about the novel. However, sometimes the way the represenation / identity is introduced is really clunky.
My first issue with the book was that is has too many POV characters. The four characters from the Shelter are very good and fun to read about, the book could have focused only on them and not introduce two more big plotlines. And even though there are at least 12 POV characters, there are only few women with rare and short chapters. It's weird from a book which strongest point is representation.
What I disliked the most is the villain. He's almost comically bad, and that made it really difficult to understand why people don't leave, try make (legal) steps against him or just simply murder him. Why did Nevian stay for 2-3 years when he was not learning anything but tortured regularly? It didn't make any sense for me.
And then we have Hasryan who is supposed to be an experienced assassin, but the mistake he made is just so stupid. Why would he use the same, very easily recognizeable knife for 10 years? Why is he killing all his marks with knife?
I love slow books but here the plot barely existed because we were jumping between so many characters. And I couldn't really care about the plot because of the above reason. Oh, and Diel sometimes felt like a hypocrite, being all for social justice but it didn't seemed like he is actually doing somethin with his immense power and influence. And Branwen as a spymaster is laughable, because everyone in town knew she is the spymaster.
The book had some good ideas, but I think it wanted to squish too many ideas into the story. I would have gladly read the story only of the Shelter, that seemed like the heart of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
terrabby's review
adventurous
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.0
All the characters were so interesting but unfortunately I feel like they were not developed enough because there are so many, and so many of them have their own chapters. Maybe this issue will be solved by next book but despite enjoying this one I'm not sure if I will go on with the series since I would have liked a bit more emotional depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Torture, and Blood
firesolstice's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Torture
Moderate: Homophobia
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