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micaelamariem's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was drawn in by the pretty cover and convincing blurb. The writing style was so prosaic and beautiful at first that it had me hooked for a while. Then it kind of fell flat. I think my first disappointment was that for something that’s labeled a “dark fantasy” it really wasn’t all that dark. The characters made choices that rendered them more like YA characters than adult characters (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I found it to be unbelievable for their experience and circumstances). I think the dialogue tags ruined the dialogue as well. Their spoken words alone were fine but when added with these adult women “grumbling” and “puffing” while trying fight against certain death, it just doesn’t feel like the right timing.
Plus the book was full of cliches, I could practically guess what would happen next, at least with the love interest. But idk if it’s the book or if I’m just in some weird slump and hating everything.
But I really do think the biggest thing is it needed to be darker. I’ve read YA fantasy’s not labeled as dark fantasy and they were darker than this. I probably unfortunately won’t continue the series.
Plus the book was full of cliches, I could practically guess what would happen next, at least with the love interest. But idk if it’s the book or if I’m just in some weird slump and hating everything.
But I really do think the biggest thing is it needed to be darker. I’ve read YA fantasy’s not labeled as dark fantasy and they were darker than this. I probably unfortunately won’t continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
authorash's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Not bad, it took me awhile because I got too busy with work and then hit a reading slump. It wasn't keeping my attention heavily that I felt compelled to finish reading it despite that. I like the concept and the interesting plot that was taking place with the intrigue and mystery behind things. It'll be interesting to see where the sister's story goes too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
Familial Abuse:beetree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was just okay - fairly surface level and predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
mvergari_13's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think the idea of the series is cool but unfortunately for me the pacing was too slow and way too predictable. The main characters were hard to identify with. The ending felt sort of rushed and obvious. The romance was technically slow burn but I wasn't very emotionally invested in it. The characters technically had character growth but it didn't feel like they actually had to process or learn anything and the author had an end goal but struggled with the journey. The setting was interesting and the magic was fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Torture, and Death of parent
jennaniho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
The biggest takeaway I had from this story was the dynamic perspective offered through the eyes of both Darius and Larkyra, while still keeping the latter as the main focus. Most importantly, E.J. Mellow's narrative beautifully captures the weight of their concealed emotions and makes them remarkably relatable, underscoring the profound lesson that, we can often be our own adversaries or we can decide to be our own saviors. Likewise, the world building is not too specific but not too vague; just right to keep your imagination going and still retain a bit of mystery of "what will come next".
Yet, the biggest focus "Song of Forever Rains" has is towards the lesson that our voice is our biggest weapon and ally; revealing that mastering when and how to use it empowers us to be not only assertive and potent but ultimately, happy and capable of facing even the hardest of challenges.
Yet, the biggest focus "Song of Forever Rains" has is towards the lesson that our voice is our biggest weapon and ally; revealing that mastering when and how to use it empowers us to be not only assertive and potent but ultimately, happy and capable of facing even the hardest of challenges.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Misogyny, Self harm, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
dragonqueen10741's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Death of parent
ender24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
A entertaining and wonderful book. I’ve fallen in love with the world and it’s characters, and I can’t wait to read the next two books. I was not expecting the romance, but I feel like it did not impede the story in any way.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- 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
Characters: 86
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
wordsasnames's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
abookandaspotoftea's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail