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mariamarsbar'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction and Death of parent
raki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse
ender24'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
restingconfusedface's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
World: 98
Plot: 78
Overall: 87
- strong female characters and friendships
- abusive parental figures
- spy/assassin
- the world makes me want to explore
- Balls and gowns
It’s a spy/assassin plot line in an expansive open world video game world with a dash of pride and prejudice and delightful characters.
There is something extremely delightful about this book. The world is fascinating and the way EJ Mellows writes it is transportive. This book feels like it could have easily been a video game with Kaipo being the fast travel option. The world feels like a critical role world. It is just delightful. And even with the rich and vibrant world it felt light like the world building didn’t slow you down like it often does for me making reading fantasy novels a bit more of a chore. Needless to say I’m obsessed with the world building. It was unique and gritty and dark while still being enchanting and beautiful and light. It was the perfect blend between the elegance of historical romance settings with their balls and gowns and castles and propriety and like a glorious expansive open world rpg like breath of the wild or xenoblade. And we’ve only seen a silver of this world in this book. I can not wait to see more with the second and third book.
The characters are delightful. Larkyra is funny and mischievous and adds so much levity to this book. Which sadly I’ve missed from a lot of the fantasy novels I’ve read. She is such a strong and kind heart that just makes me want to be her friend. Darius is cute and he seems like he’s constantly out of his depth when talking to Larkyra and her sisters. He reminds me of a stray kitten. I love the banter between Larkyra and Darius. And Naya is going to be such a fun next protagonist. And given how wonderful the development of all the characters thus far I am excited to learn more about some of the more stoic characters in the third book, Arabessa and Zimri.
That being said I found the romance plot line a bit lacking, I’m sorry that kind of hurt to say given all that I love about this book. It felt a bit rushed at the end like once the actual plot was taking a rest the romance subplot was like boom sex alright back to the murder. Not to say their relationship was not developed but I feel like their interactions were meant to develop either Larkyra or Darius individually but not them as a couple. Also given the historical setting I was expecting a bit more longing and pining and more tension.
And the plot was a tiny bit predictable.
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
snowwhite02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
amyxx'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Emotional abuse
abookandaspotoftea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
emmasrambles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
sjb3752'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? Yes
0.75
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Self harm and Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness
escapismforlife'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This first book was very much centered on a different kingdom of Lachlan. One that the youngest sister Larkyrya made lighter. By following her heart to fall in love on a mission with Darius the lord despite what she's been raised to do in the Thief Kingdom. Which is a creepy yet cool setting compared to Jabari.
I love their relationship and how it occurred despite the conflict taking a back burner.
Anyways, the plot of the where the series is headed made me continue onto the next book. It was wrapped up nice enough but left a lot open where you have to continue on.
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, Murder, and Gaslighting