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books_rule's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
chloebear21'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
elffrommars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Unfortunately, the first books plot was so epic that there isn't much to follow up on. I see this happen time and time again: the first book/movie/season is so epic that there isn't a way to one up. The plot becomes a tried and true but basic trope of overpowering the government.
There are the usual faves of J. Maas:
- uncontrollable and mysterious magic powers
- enemies and to friends and lovers
- secretly a good guy!
- secretly a bad guy!
- love that is so important that it's actually pre-destined (seriously, I could do without the mate crap)
There were a couple of minor twists that got me, and the ending that mixes CC with ACOTAR is interesting but also kind of messy and seriously encroaching on MCU territory. The biggest 'twist' I saw coming from a mile away because she never changed anything up and it's broadcast from the beginning LOL.
That being said, the characterisation is a smidge better, and I do think there is some great world building at work here. I can tell J. Maas really wants to be the next Cassie Clare, with worlds and characters that spand centuries and interconnect with each other. I get it, and I think she could do it, if she'd learn how to stretch a plot over more than one book and a romance, too. She has a tendency to rush everything, creating a dull narrative with little promise for reward. Seriously I was bored until about page 500!
Maybe the next one will be better :)
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
avialaeleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
1st why can't Bryce and Hunt just have a smidgen of happiness without one of them almost dying or being taken as a captive? It feels like everyone and everything is out to tear them apart even though they are mates, which I love for then but it was so obvious that that was going to be a thing.
Also I love the different side of Ruhn we get to see when he's in his mind realm with agent daybreak and wasn't that an interesting thing to come about. Her being the Hind and witch Queen Hypraxia's sister, older sister at that so she could be queen. And was it just me or are Ruhn and Lidia mates as well I feel like when Ruhn is talking about their scents that that's what is trying to be conveyed but I am not 100% sure just because we've had so little interaction with them face-to-face yet.
Also what is with it and all the scary people ending up being rebels. First Baxian aka the Helhound then Lidia aka the Hind. Both of them people that have done atrocious things for the Asteri, who ate apparently aliens that eat their firstlight and keep them all in the dark and make is seem like they are "from the stars" when the aren't they are just lying planet stealing no do "bloodsuckers" for lack of a better term.
And why do we learn that Dankia was once again keeping more shit from Bryce. First all the shit in the first book but then everything in this one. She was looking into everyones histories and family lines to figure something out. But was it just to figure out a different ruler for the wolves or was it to figure out the Asteri? Was it both? None of it, are their more prices that we are missing about her? Why did she keep all of this from Bryce, why didn't she trust her with all of this. Why did she hide that she and Braxian were mates? Did she not trust Bryce to be able to keep it a secret for his safety?
Also whose side is Celestina on? She seems like she is on their side sometimes especially with her and Hypaxia being a thing in secret. But then she seems to have sold them all out to the Asteri. Why? To what end? She doesn't seem to like them anymore than the others do but then she also sells them out. What the fuck?
I hope Bryce is able to get back to Midgard and resue them all because I can't take Hunt being a slave again. What he might be forced to do with that halo on him. And also why to Rhysand? Is that the land that the Fae originally came from? And if so why in ACOTAR did we never hear any stories of fae going to another world, or did they and I just missed it. Does that mean that there two series now interlock? Will there be books that interconnect the two or will it just be these books?
Trust SJM to make me question everything that I have read in her books at the end of one book. I'm sure I will have many more at the end of the next one.
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, War, and Classism
jevette15'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
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Murder, War, and Classism
stephaniemcuervo'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Infertility, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
singingshooter'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Slavery, Violence, and War
Minor: Rape
correnreads'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual violence and War
shyarie'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? N/A
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Medical trauma, and War
Moderate: Drug use, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, and Vomit
lizgom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I got Holmes vibes from Bryce always playing detective, not sure if I love it or hate it.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, and War
Minor: Drug use, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence