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readingtotravel's review against another edition
3.25
Great world building and interesting plot. I just can't stand pointless betrayal and didn' enjoy Cameron being evil after being a love interest and the only one who seemingly cared about him besides Bea (who also betrays him).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
tsuyoi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. It's an interesting world and magic system that isn't fully explored. The main character Max doesn't seem to actually affect the plot but has the plot happen upon him. His agency is teased at but never a thing. Honestly what annoys me most is how some of the deaths were just there to shock and not allow Max to ever have closure. Additionally the betrayals felt unearned when there was potential for so much more. I get that the main characters need to have motivation to grow but this was almost all telling and not showing. Max was defined by others not his own actions.
I'm going to read the sequel because I'm still interested but I'm saddened by what could have been.
the betrayals by Camron and Bea felt like such a waste. Camron was the only character to seemingly care about Max's actual wishes and had the potential for an interesting love triangle or for Max to actually decide what he wants. But instead we got a dissapointing, flat, mustache twirling villain. Additionally the muguffin of his parents never paid off and how his father was killed off was even more disappointing. Dame's death was also so poorly handled. Suddenly miracously alive and then dead at the end of the chapter.
I'm going to read the sequel because I'm still interested but I'm saddened by what could have been.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
nikki_b's review against another edition
3.5
Read this if you like…
- Magic directly intertwined with nature (dryads, etc.)
- Political intrigue and war
This may not be for you if you don't like...
- Insta-love
- Everyone lying and/or dying
Rating Breakdown
Characters: ★★
We got a little bit of character building with Maximus in the beginning (love of books, especially romance). But he was immediately thrust into a traumatic situation that just did not stop for the whole book. I feel like I never got to know him. I feel bad for the character, but I should feel more than pity for the main character of a series.
All I really learned about the other characters was that they loved Max. But why? What do they have in common? This was especially evident with the love interests. What do they see in each other outside of attraction?
Writing: ★★★
I generally enjoyed the writing style, but it veered into "purple" territory with descriptions sometimes.
Plot: ★★★★
Despite my big issues with the characters, I actually liked the plot and world-building quite a bit. It's not often that a plot twist gets me... but consider me <i>got</i> by the final act!
Enjoyment: ★★★
Quick read, interesting world. I plan to give the next book a go with the hope that the character building will get better 🤞🏻
- Magic directly intertwined with nature (dryads, etc.)
- Political intrigue and war
This may not be for you if you don't like...
- Insta-love
- Everyone lying and/or dying
Rating Breakdown
Characters: ★★
We got a little bit of character building with Maximus in the beginning (love of books, especially romance). But he was immediately thrust into a traumatic situation that just did not stop for the whole book. I feel like I never got to know him. I feel bad for the character, but I should feel more than pity for the main character of a series.
All I really learned about the other characters was that they loved Max. But why? What do they have in common? This was especially evident with the love interests. What do they see in each other outside of attraction?
Writing: ★★★
I generally enjoyed the writing style, but it veered into "purple" territory with descriptions sometimes.
Plot: ★★★★
Despite my big issues with the characters, I actually liked the plot and world-building quite a bit. It's not often that a plot twist gets me... but consider me <i>got</i> by the final act!
Enjoyment: ★★★
Quick read, interesting world. I plan to give the next book a go with the hope that the character building will get better 🤞🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence