sha's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Blood, Animal death, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Violence
hasinashah'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Grief, Racism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Xenophobia, Violence, Gore, Sexism, War, and Body horror
liebstebunni'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
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cursing and Emotional abuse
dominika_lorazo'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
4.5
Characters are good. Main characters are lovable. Even Forest who is a small antagonist is well written (good motivation even if his actions are questionable sometimes). Some of the villains can seem cliche but their actions seem appropriate for their time period (And some people are just assholes). This point was more than redeemed by the antagonists (the wildfolk). The shaman was probably my least favourite.
The story has a medium-pace. Some say it’s slow-paced in the middle and it’s true but it’s still entertaining (might be hard if you have a short attention span though). The beginning and ending have more of a dark fairy tale, horror genre. The middle of the story is more whimsical. The ending is very “happily ever after” and I never minded those.
Things I liked:
Spoiler
- Samson/slewfoot is probably the best character. I like how he is not really the cliche “devil” or “Satan” but more of a Grey character spirit of the forest. He also has a great character arc.- the historical - witchy feel.
- dark but magical like a fairy tale
- Forest annoyed me sometimes but his motives were so good I ended up feeling bad for him and liking his character
-the overall addition of folklore and native folklore
Things I disliked
Spoiler
- the shaman was great for Samson’s character arc and that was obviously his only purpose but he is a bit of a cliche villain-Abitha died at the end but came back to life. It cheapened her death and the effect it had on Samson. But except for that, the rest of the happily ever after was exactly how I hoped it would go.
-The world building could have been better. I wish there was more emphasis on the folklore (the Wildfolk and spirits). It was more of a backstory in the book, the main focus was on Abitha and her female empowerment/ girl boss story which is not necessarily bad. However, I wish we had more of that folklore/ fairy tale magic
TW:
racism and colonialism- It is appropriate for the time period. The racist characters were the villains. I would say the main characters were more respectful.
Blood, gore and violence- it was graphic but not extremely terrible (I’ve definitely seen worse)
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Animal cruelty, Murder, and Misogyny
Moderate: Classism and Colonisation
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism
TW: racism and colonialism- It is appropriate for the time period. The racist characters were the mostly the villains. I would say the main characters were more respectful. Blood, gore and violence- it was graphic but not extremely terrible (I’ve definitely seen worse)nchipp'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Grief, Racism, Animal death, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Colonisation, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, and Rape
Spoiler
the cat diesfemmeofswords'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 and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Murder, Emotional abuse, Torture, Sexism, Violence, and Death
Minor: Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Ableism, Racial slurs, and Trafficking
gingermouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Gore, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Confinement, Murder, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Grief, and Cursing