The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
marshiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
I really and truly liked this book! The author had me from the very beginning with a timeline. Some fantasy novels can drag you through the trenches trying to learn their world and this one is not one of them! I feel like Iâm along for the ride, learning about it with her rather than in spite of her. Iâm gonna talk specific so spoilers ahead. Also please look at the trigger warnings for this book if that applies as this book has a lot!!
The inner turmoil of both, but especially, Ayla and Crier had me reading the book in only a couple sittings. I almost couldnât put it down. Trying to figure out what was and wasnât one of Kinokâs manipulations had me reeling to the literal last pages of the book. I mean wow! The romance was certainly a part of the plot but this is not a âromance bookâ it is fantasy first but it still felt completely integral and not just thrown in there. I was also a fan of the fact that it wasnât one of those âwe canât do this because itâs wrong because itâs gayâ because frankly as an lgbtq+ person myself I was grateful for some relenting on that narrative choice. There still was an element of âwrongnessâ but more because on girl literally wanted to kill the other. Overall an excellent start to the series and I cannot wait to read the second (Iâve got it on hold now).
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Gore, Genocide, Gaslighting, Child death, Classism, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and Body horror
Minor: Miscarriage
More...