jessiereads98'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
3.75
Chloe Gong once again nailed it with the setting and atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. I loved how she tracked the shifting the politics and atmosphere of change. The pacing in this book is great. I also just love a fantasy novel set in or based on 1920s East Asia.
The characters were well done and compelling for the most part. I feel like we got a good amount of time with all the side characters to experience the world outside the view of the two main characters, without it feeling like it detracted from the story or was a waste of time. I actually wish we had gotten more time with Rosalind. I think the story would’ve felt more complete, and she would’ve been a great counterpoint to Juliette had she been more fleshed out. I was left with questions at the end around her character and motivations.
Spoiler
I know she’s the focus of the next duology in this universe. However, her character and POV still should’ve been explored more in this book, especially given the important role she plays here.Once again, this book is a bit overwritten. There’s metaphors and heavy handed setting descriptions that are unnecessary. Some of the dialogue feels forced rather than natural for the characters and their setting. There are a few moments of cringe, but it isn’t enough to make the entire book off-putting.
Graphic: Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Confinement, Grief, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicide, Abandonment, Homophobia, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexism
peachieko's review against another edition
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Colonisation, and Suicide
Minor: Death of parent
ye_li's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Confinement, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
komalks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, and Gun violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, and Gore
angelsfw's review
- 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
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Blood, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, War, Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
ourlastopus's review
- 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
5.0
ok, now i’m going back to crying
Graphic: Colonisation, Murder, Torture, Death, Violence, War, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Xenophobia, Classism, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Death of parent
kdailyreads's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
If you read this book (or the first one), be sure to look for a complete list of content/trigger warnings because there are many. Some major ones - gun violence, self-harm (due to monsters), violence to children, fire, neglect, and torture.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Torture, Self harm, Blood, and Gun violence
kbairbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War
getlitwithamy_'s review
- 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
Plot: 4.75 ✰
Characters: 5 ✰
Setting: 5 ✰
Writing Style: 5 ✰
Personal Impact: 4.75 ✰
Overall Rating: 4.75 ✰
Tropes: rivals to lovers, knife to the throat, corrupt government, forced proximity
Content Warnings: murder (including mass murder), parental abuse, blood, violence, gore, torture, death
For a more in-depth review, visit https://www.getlitwithamy.com/reviews/our-violent-ends!
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Slavery
Moderate: Rape
devynry's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, and War