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vjlp22_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
val_theburrowofstories'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: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Death of parent
kassidyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
babwans's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Grief, Murder, Emotional abuse, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Child abuse
maiishigami'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
3.75
Not much world-building, I did hope we could get more information about their world but the setting was mostly inside the palace with a trip inside a carriage here and there.
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
emilylovesgoodbooks'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
5.0
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
katvou's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Murder, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, Violence, Gaslighting, Slavery, Child death, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Sexism
extrafolklore'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
kimmag92's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Alessandra travels to the court with her father & manages to catch the King's attention & learns that he is practically immortal but that his power comes from the shadows which swirl around him, but if he touches anyone then his power is neutralised whilst they are nearby - only then is he vulnerable. Much as she tries, Alessandra doesn't seem to be able to break through the King's reticence to grow closer, until she unthinkingly puts herself in harm's way to foil an assassin. Was it because Alessandra is determined that she will be the one to kill the King & he won't die until she is ready, or is there now another reason that she wants him to live?
The first half of the book is entertaining & it has a killer opening line - it really sets up Alessandra's character as a woman who is not afraid to have ambition & who has broken all society's rules by taking lovers before marriage. When one of her former paramours threatens to tell all & disgrace her to the court, she's not about to let him ruin her plans & so schemes a way to get rid of the threat. Got to love a woman who doesn't pull her punches! As for the second half, well let's just say I've not been this disappointed since I read Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.
If you're going to lure me in with a villainous cunning protagonist, then give me that for the entire book. After the first half set up, I was expecting a duel of wits & minds between Alessandra & Kallias (the Shadow King), even that maybe he was going to pull some kind of double-cross on her, but the story trajectory became entirely too predictable. Shame as it started out so well as something different but then became pedestrian. Overall, it was a game of two halves as they say. I really liked the first half & wish the second half had lived up to that promise. It was still kind of enjoyable though & I like the cover.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pushkin Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Graphic: Sexual content and Death
Moderate: Death of parent