decembermagpie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Classism, Gore, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Racism, Sexism, War, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Slavery, Child death, Rape, and Vomit
ehmannky's review
- 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: Racism, Child death, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Vomit
gabriella_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Tracy Deonn is excellent at character writing and establishing interpersonal dynamics (and conflicts). She also creates a unique atmosphere with obvious (and not so obvious) foes. She empowers her protagonist and makes her multifaceted. She breathes life into Bree and, as a reader, makes her feel so real. And this doesn’t get into how she writes an ensemble cast either - good GOD I would be remiss if I didn’t get into that.
Every character contributes something to the plot and it’s amazing that this author finds a way to do that without rendering them to be one-note or just a plot device. She has a plan for every character - and pieces of dialogue have a way of retaining relevance chapters later in a refreshing way.
I wish I had a book like this when I was a kid. 2,000/10 recommend reading this book if you are interested in fantasy and coming of age books. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Tracy Deonn, thank you for writing this.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Blood, Body horror, Death, Car accident, Child death, Violence, Kidnapping, Racism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Classism, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and War
vaguely_pink'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
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Child death, Classism, Car accident, Sexism, Transphobia, and Slavery
Minor: Colonisation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
whewtaewoon's review
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Grief, Rape, Death of parent, Vomit, Alcohol, Car accident, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, and Slavery
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
I did like the incorporation of King Arthur and the magical aspects of it. I also enjoyed Bree finding out more about her own magic.
I of course love the narrator of the audiobook, and I've listened to her read quite a few now.
I'm iffy if I want to continue with the second book or not. Like I like the concept enough to want to continue it, but I don't know if I like it enough to check out the second one from my library right away.
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Murder, Blood, Child death, Bullying, Racism, Grief, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Slavery, Medical content, and Colonisation
bookthief'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
5.0
Bree was a fantastic character. She was strong, brave and resilient. I loved how throughout the book she accepted her grief for her mother and used it to discover the story of her origin through her ancestors. I was so surprised at the end that Bree was actually the Scion of Arthur. But I’m so glad that she is because she would be a great leader and king. Her powers are incredible and awesome and super strong. I can’t wait to see what type of king she will become in the next book!
Nick was an incredibly kind and determined person. The way he helped Bree when they had only known each other for less than a day was very sweet, and putting his life on the line several times for her. I would love it if Nick and Bree got together and stayed together as they work so well together. However a small part of me wants Sel to swoop in and be with Bree:)
The writing of the book was brilliant. The organisation was done perfectly as everything flowed smoothly and leaving mysteries at the perfect time.
I would definitely recommend this book to those of you who like fantasy and retelling of Arthurian Legend.
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Sexism, War, Car accident, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
jennywren60's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Bullying, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Slavery, Grief, Murder, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Violence, and War
iamsammie27'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: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Rape, Child death, Pregnancy, Torture, and Slavery
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
sammymilfort's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, War, Violence, Vomit, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Medical trauma, Slavery, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Classism
Minor: Car accident, Child death, and Domestic abuse