ladydeathnesta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Hate crime, Body horror, Stalking, War, Abandonment, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Genocide, Grief, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
erafact'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
bookedandbusy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Grief, War, Death, Slavery, and Murder
Spoiler
slavery in the sense that people are sent to the mines to basically die or suffer the entire time they’re thereSpoiler
ktmcd26'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
However, one of the main devices to move us to that next section is a very explicitly racist and sexist troupe.
Spoiler
The only main character of color and the only other female character was brutally murdered for the sole purpose of propelling the main character forward in the story. This is also not conjecture or reading between the lines; there is a whole chapter dedicated to spelling it out for the reader.Our three main characters are all kind of navigating the same basic journey of discovering where they fit into the larger picture of the world around them. It’s interesting to see how they are all handling it differently, and I am more surprised than anyone to find I think Dorian is handling it the best.
Celeana needs to stop taking things that people say at face value. She has yet to learn to think just one layer deeper, and critically analyze the information see is receiving. I think once she does that and has a chance to process her past (and not resort to murder as a first resort), she will become a more enjoyable heroine to read. I will be looming for that character development in the next few books.
Now for Chaol. O Chaol, I need to stop loving this boy for his potential and acknowledge his actual actions.
I do think this book does and excellent job of telling a young love story. The highs and lows are felt very acutely. And the complexities that come with love are also explored.
Spoiler
I am relieved the author didn’t try to drag out the reveal that Celeana is the lost princess any longer because that would have gotten cumbersome.Graphic: Blood, Racism, Murder, and Slavery
Moderate: War and Rape
jcrawford31's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Vomit, War, Torture, and Slavery
dalek_caan'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
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Confinement, Colonisation, Genocide, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Vomit, Torture, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Slavery, War, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Rape
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Minor: Alcohol, Murder, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Blood, War, and Grief
rae1ear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: War, Genocide, and Kidnapping
ifoundcallie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Genocide, Slavery, Torture, Vomit, and War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Drug use
tanvi45'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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery and Grief
Minor: War