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helfire124's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
vivisms_82's review against another edition
3.75
My favourite book and character of the series so far. We get to know Cece. She is a more likeable and down-to-earth character than I thought she was going to be. (The previous book with Star made her seem clingy and controlling but she has valid reasons for appearing so which is explored and explained). There is less romance than the first two books - much less cheese thank goodness. (I struggled with the first two books and eye rolled my way through - especially book 2!; gave up several times but glad I continued because books 3 and now 4 have been enjoyable!). Lucinda Riley definitely did her research on Oz - particularly rural and Red Centre way of speaking (she nailed it). And I thought she captured the richness of the country beautifully. The way she incorporated the Dreamtime and First Nations art into the story was marvellous as well. I especially appreciated how she didn't sugar coat the shameful history of the white settlers to Australia and the uneasy ramifications that are still felt today. I felt this story was about discovering oneself through taking chances and being a little brave.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism