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sarrie's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
So I genuinely think this is a great book, it's going to have an audience and it's worth the read. For me though, the constant risk to small children (especially small girls) and the childbirth and pregnancy was deeply triggering. I couldn't continue after about 150 pages.
I can tell you it's written beautifully, if dense, and bounces between five kingdoms and various viewpoints detailing the Drought of Girls. This world relies on it's women, who rule, and their powers that they display or their martial strength. Because of the Drought of Girls however things begin to collapse.
There is also the introduction of a sorceress who has slumbered for decades and is slowly regaining her power - I assume linked to the Drought though I didn't see the culmination of that - that was very interesting.
If this seems like something you'd be interested in I really do recommend it! However, if like me you struggle with the topics I mentioned above this is a hard skip.
I can tell you it's written beautifully, if dense, and bounces between five kingdoms and various viewpoints detailing the Drought of Girls. This world relies on it's women, who rule, and their powers that they display or their martial strength. Because of the Drought of Girls however things begin to collapse.
There is also the introduction of a sorceress who has slumbered for decades and is slowly regaining her power - I assume linked to the Drought though I didn't see the culmination of that - that was very interesting.
If this seems like something you'd be interested in I really do recommend it! However, if like me you struggle with the topics I mentioned above this is a hard skip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, and Pregnancy
lindseyrinehart's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really wanted to like this one more than I did. It turned out to be really difficult for me to get through and it took forever. I loved the matriarchal world and the culture of Scorpica. There was a scene at the beginning with the Queen of Scorpica that was intense and brutal and attention grabbing. But then, a whole lot of nothing interesting happens for a very long time and then the last 100 pages or so it picks up speed and ends in a cliffhanger kind of way. Maybe there were too many characters povs to keep straight and it didn’t feel like there was a main character to root for. I don’t think I’m going to read the next one in the series
alix0zz's review against another edition
Got bored. I feel like this book did not vibe with me. I hade higher hopes and this book was just not it unfortunately. After almost a hundred pages this book should have started but it just didn’t.
annineamundsen's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the subtle world building, but a lot of characters and time jumps made this a little hard to get into, and meant I wasn't fully invested in any of the characters.
jessalittlenerdy's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't initially sure how I was going to like this one, but in the end, I really enjoyed it! This was a solid debut fantasy, and I'm honestly surprised that more people aren't talking about this one (as much as I love discovering a hidden gem!)
This definitely read like the first book in an epic series. It wasn't very fast-paced or action-packed, but rather, you could tell that the author was taking her time to introduce you to this world and its players and their politics. And even then, we really only got to know one, sort of two, of the five queendoms. But I love that because when it comes to fantasy, I love a good story that is so epic in scope that the telling takes several books.
I loved how brutal this book was (definitely for fans of grimdark fantasy), and I'm genuinely so intrigued by everything going on that I can't wait to keep reading this series.
I think fans of Game of Thrones, The Poppy War, and The Bone Season would love this!
Thank you to Saga Press for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions presented here are my own.
This definitely read like the first book in an epic series. It wasn't very fast-paced or action-packed, but rather, you could tell that the author was taking her time to introduce you to this world and its players and their politics. And even then, we really only got to know one, sort of two, of the five queendoms. But I love that because when it comes to fantasy, I love a good story that is so epic in scope that the telling takes several books.
I loved how brutal this book was (definitely for fans of grimdark fantasy), and I'm genuinely so intrigued by everything going on that I can't wait to keep reading this series.
I think fans of Game of Thrones, The Poppy War, and The Bone Season would love this!
Thank you to Saga Press for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions presented here are my own.
subwayscenne's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
skylerreads28's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuester, for the free copy to review.
First of all, I loved it. The world building was incredible and while not all of the queendoms were explored, I have the feeling that’s coming soon since this is only book one. The characters were all fascinating and they had so much depth and detail that it was easy to get sucked into the story. I absolutely LOVED that the women were the warriors, healers, rulers, etc and the men were just husbands. But don’t think it means this book is any less brutal, the fighting scenes were gruesome and had me on the edge of my seat every time. If you’re looking for a matriarchal high fantasy filled with sacrifices, magic, politics, and women, look no further.
kltemplado's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.75
krindor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, and Pregnancy
hrobison11's review against another edition
4.0
This book easily portrays the benefits and downfalls of a one gender led society. I feel Macallister did a fabulous job of world building as well as character arc development. The story ultimately makes sense in its world. I’m looking forward to book two!