The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
poisoned_icecream's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Death
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.25
I really liked the writing style of this one. It was descriptive and poetic without being too over-the-top and ridiculous. For that reason alone Iād be interested in checking out more books by this author. This particular story ended up falling a bit flat, though.Ā
The plot started off super strong but kind of waned at the halfway point. Everything ended up feeling half-baked or unrealistic. I was left confused about the motives of those involved, and the resolution was downright unbelievable.Ā
The world-building was so plain. There was nothing compelling or captivating about it.Ā
Elizaās character development was rushed, so that it felt unnatural. She was so firmly set in her ways that I didnāt believe her change in character could have happened within a few days. I will say that Anna and Nathanielās development WAS well done, however. In both cases it felt like a long time coming and the events of the plot provided that catalyst for change, so the development felt earned.Ā
Even though the quality of this book wasnāt great, I did actually enjoy reading it! And as I said, the writing style was fab. So this author is definitely not a write-off for me!Ā
Rep: sapphic MC, lesbian (word not used even though there were opportunities to use it, and words like aromantic and asexual exist) MC, aroace MC
Rep: sapphic MC, lesbian (word not used even though there were opportunities to use it, and words like aromantic and asexual exist) MC, aroace MC
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Blood, Child death, Death, Murder, Violence, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, Gun violence, Classism, and Pregnancy
Moderate: imprisonment, loss of a loved one, fainting Minor: sick loved one, blackmail, theft, capital punishment, child birthmxbluet18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? No
5.0
Trigger warnings for Tarnished are the Stars include: medical content, childbirth and pregnancy, child death, grief, death, physical violence, parental abuse, physical abuse, ableism and classism.
ā
ā
I initially picked this up because I knew it has an asexual character in it, but it quickly became that I was invested in the characters (some more than others though) and I just had to finish it to find out where the story was going.
~
I read Fire Becomes Her last year and found myself loving the writing style and characters in that one, and had had Tarnished on my TBR for a while so I made it a priority when I managed to get hold of it. I've also used the book to talk about an important point in an essay I'm working on about asexuality in the written media.
~
For me, having asexual representation, and aromantic asexual representation is something I love to see in the books I read, especially if the ideas or the feelings portrayed are a depiction I can relate to or sympathise with. Suffice it to say, I loved the representation in the book, I loved the characters (or those I was supposed to love anyway), I loved the character arcs, and the plot was rich and delicate.
ā
ā
I initially picked this up because I knew it has an asexual character in it, but it quickly became that I was invested in the characters (some more than others though) and I just had to finish it to find out where the story was going.
~
I read Fire Becomes Her last year and found myself loving the writing style and characters in that one, and had had Tarnished on my TBR for a while so I made it a priority when I managed to get hold of it. I've also used the book to talk about an important point in an essay I'm working on about asexuality in the written media.
~
For me, having asexual representation, and aromantic asexual representation is something I love to see in the books I read, especially if the ideas or the feelings portrayed are a depiction I can relate to or sympathise with. Suffice it to say, I loved the representation in the book, I loved the characters (or those I was supposed to love anyway), I loved the character arcs, and the plot was rich and delicate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Classism, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Grief
cozytam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A fun sci fi dystopian novel with Aro Ace and Sapphic characters. I thought the overall story was interesting but there weee a few plot elements that I wish were executed better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, and Death of parent
shapesandcolours's review
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Medical content
Moderate: Child death and Body horror
Minor: Pregnancy
iksme's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Loved the representation, this book would have had younger me in a choke hold. But I think it's a bit too young for me now...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Ableism
Moderate: Pregnancy
laurenleigh's review
adventurous
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
I found this title for the āscience fantasyā prompt in the Queer Lit Readathon. I guess I assume that science fiction and fantasy genres always overlap, but Iām realizing thatās not necessarily so! Definitely lots of steampunk vibes in this one, where clockwork hearts keep people alive but are also outlawed. I really grewĀ to care for our three main characters, and I like novels where we get to jump between perspectives in each chapter. I enjoyed seeing the same event through different lenses, as well as watching the relationships unfold. I could have maybe used more exposition, and I would have liked more world building. But Iām also not the kind of fantasy reader that needs every potential plot hole to be filled! I had a fun ride with these characters, and thatās enough for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Child death
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
readingelli's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this, especially having an explicitly aromantic/ asexual character, one lesbian and one bisexual (they are described as kissing a boy and then like a girl).Ā
I thought the plot was good, I liked the twists and the character development.Ā
I thought the plot was good, I liked the twists and the character development.Ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Violence, Death, Child death, and Medical content
Moderate: Violence and Ableism
Minor: Sexual content
animaepanda's review
adventurous
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75
I love the aroace and sapphic rep so much! :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Blood, and Colonisation
Moderate: Grief and Terminal illness
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Lesbophobia
The ace/arophobia is internalized ace/arophobia.tinysierra's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
Instalove, space related, wlw, Ace and aro repā¦ count me in!
This book lacked intensity and build up. Everything felt too convent and happened too easily, even when things went wrong it still worked out somehow.
Rowanās death was supposed to be this heartbreaking turning point but it lack conviction.
Also they were able to subdueĀ the Commissioner and the Queen in likeā¦ a matter of minutes? I know it was 3 vs 1 but it happened way too easily. And like they both barley even fought back. Ā
Eliza was my favorite character. I love sneaky and strong female characters.
The discussion about aro and ace identity and labelsā¦ brb crying /pos
-Discussions about ableism and disability
This book lacked intensity and build up. Everything felt too convent and happened too easily, even when things went wrong it still worked out somehow.
Rowanās
Also they were able to subdueĀ
Eliza was my favorite character. I love sneaky and strong female characters.
The discussion about aro and ace identity and labelsā¦ brb crying /pos
-Discussions about ableism and disability
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Pregnancy