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sonlight21'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? Yes
4.5
For me this book felt like when you find Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or The Spider wick Chronicles for the first time. It is a deep immersive world that doesn't destroy you with world building but slowly introduces more and more aspects of the magic place you have entered as you journey through the story, it reveals small pieces of itself as you go along, like some ancient fossil you are digging up from the ground.
The characters in the book are wonderful! Each character is a fully flushed out individual of their own. Even the "un-important" background characters (exmp. caffeine frenzy daemon) have their own personality and story. The characters change and grown in response to their surroundings and experiences. They are not stones, unmoving, they are alive and energetic.
One thing I did not love was the amount of characters that very randomly showed up for a few moments and then disappeared but were INCREDABLY integral to the plot. It was not that they felt flat or random but rather that I desired to know and understand more of the character and what role they played before they left. I wanted more time with them on page and in interactions. However the book is BURTSTING to the brim with characters each one deep and rich in their own right so I understand why some got such little time in the light (the book was 579 pages haha I am not sure it could have handled more).
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book though there are parts I didn't love and some aspects I am sure I missed. I will say I think the show does the book justice and in some ways adds to the experience and grows the world more.
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, and War
_marycappiello3'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
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I couldn’t put this down. In fact, I was so mad that I had to go to sleep at all, and it was already almost 4 am when I finally gave into my slumber. Had no idea it had been made into a TV show until I was well into the book and read it in someone else’s review while making dinner last night. Now I’ve got to figure out how to stream it while waiting for the second book to come off my holds shelf on Libby.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
lakeofstars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
- this was originally going to be 2 stars, but i looked at the other books i gave that rating to and this is definitely worse than them. so... here we are.
Graphic: Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Animal death and Pregnancy
infusionofviolets'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
4.0
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Pregnancy, and War
shiveryteacup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
imogenlj's review against another edition
3.25
I have to note that I found the main character Diana infuriating throughout as she happily and willingly left the decision making to those around her while she drank tea! But, I started this after seeing the TV show and it did push me out of a reading slump.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
emmasiporatyler'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Blood, and War
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
torturedreadersdept'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: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, and War
jessicabearbooks'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? It's complicated
4.0
Wow. This book has such a rich story and so many plot twists! When I started this I was not ready for the level of emotional attachment I would form to this story and these characters, maybe it's because the story was so long and I spent so much time with this family but I adored it.
Every main character was well developed and believeable. It was easy to love them, especially Ysabeau who honestly holds my heart; her developing relationship with Diana is so sweet. Matthew was a little toxic at times in his reactions and mindset but I don't really feel like this is an issue as he's a Vampire with heightened protective instincts so what do you expect.
The last couple of chapters were so wholesome, I want to be a part of this new family. I was not prepared for the genius comedy in this book because GIRL I was rolling at points haha. Also this story is just a really cool concept? The Knights of Lazarus...damn.
Excited to read the next one but need a break first lol - I'll be real, this book felt as long as it looked. Took me a whole month but when I was reading I thoroughly enjoyed the escapism. This whole series has huge cosy autumnal vibes, I reckon that's why it took me so long to get through because It felt too weird reading about a spooky vampire house while I was getting sunburnt. Also definitely read this series while listening to classical music, the vibes are unmatched.
Graphic: Torture and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail