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kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent and War
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book felt like two different books in one. The first half was paced as a slower fantasy might be, which I was totally on board with. It felt like the narrative was gradually building to a logical conclusion. However, in order for the second half to match the first, this book would have had to have been a lot longer. It was not, and the second half suffered. It was merely a series of cameos, skipping the reader through the events leading to the underwhelming and predictable conclusion. POVs that were previously established were completely neglected, so we never got a full picture of character development for Aketo, Baccha, or Isadore. There was no sense of urgency or significance to any of the character's actions. Conflicts which the whole duology had been building towards were resolved quickly and easily. This series just had so much potential, and for me, it really wasn't fulfilled.
Also, the romance gets weirder in this book.It is revealed that Aketo and Eva share a half-brother. Aketo KNEW about this half-brother before going after Eva. While they're obviously not blood related, this just adds another weird dynamic on top of Aketo probably being, like, 20.
The one thing that saved this book was its first half. Despite the fact that nothing much happened, I was enjoying reading it.
Also, the romance gets weirder in this book.
The one thing that saved this book was its first half. Despite the fact that nothing much happened, I was enjoying reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol