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clara_ward's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
What I worried might be a steampunk retelling of Gothic horror, turned out to be an alternate history with casual parallels to current propaganda, xenophobia, and labor concerns. Those discussions never delved too deep, in a book dominated by plot twists, diverse perspectives, and plot twists that trigger changes in perspectives. For example, a characters’ reflections—on why modern citizens were no better than those who stood by as Caesar betrayed the values of the Republic—were both humorous and believable in context. References to Roman gods and alternate culture interwove organically, from casual swearing to justification for political machinations.
Even if some of the plot twists, reveals, and action sequences didn’t move me, I appreciated how they intersected with the character arcs and worldbuilding. The handling of diverse backgrounds, sexualities, and one nonbinary character worked well in context. Overall, the author told an interesting tale with enough texture to engage a variety of readers’ interests.
Even if some of the plot twists, reveals, and action sequences didn’t move me, I appreciated how they intersected with the character arcs and worldbuilding. The handling of diverse backgrounds, sexualities, and one nonbinary character worked well in context. Overall, the author told an interesting tale with enough texture to engage a variety of readers’ interests.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Body horror, Murder, and Child death
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
gmattos's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
0.5
If I wasn't stuck on a plane for 10 hours, I don't know if I would have finished this book. Interesting concept, but the writing is just not there.
themorbidcorvid's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-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? No
4.25
trishtalksbooks's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
skylarkblue1's review
5.0
Thank you to Fireside Fiction and Lucas for an E-ARC!
Content Warnings: Death, Murder (also of children), Graphic Descriptions, Genocide, Racism, Xenophobia, Body Modifications Without Consent, Kidnapping.
This book threw me through such a rollercoaster of emotions and I loved every second of it. Honestly, I think this book had the best prologue I've read in a long time. Instantly gripped and shocked me while perfectly setting up the world it's set in.
The book is a deep dive into an alternate history type path, one of what if Rome had taken over and continued for many years more. Set during Rome's industrial revolution, a very steampunk one, the story follows a group of characters as they try to take down a very quickly expanding hole of corruption and facism within the empire. Down all the winding paths and blockades that appear before them at every corner, follow their steps and hard choices they need to make to continue.
All the moves the characters made felt motivated and with purpose, whether that be through impulsivity, planning, creative thinking or just teamwork. Character growth made sense and was honestly very satisfying to read when the characters had major “growth” moments.
The LGBT+ representation was adorable as well, WLW, MLM, trixic (this was very surprising to see in a book but very nice to read! I never expect to see any kind of trixic relationships even just mentioned!), non-binary, all sorts is featured in this book and despite how much there is, none of it felt throw-away or tokenised, everyone felt human.
Additionally, the way trauma is written was good, in my opinion at least. The way the characters treat others who are having a bad time, who don’t want to talk right now, etc felt real but it also felt good. There’s many quotes, like the one above, that I’m going to keep reflecting on for a very long time. The characters aren’t perfect, but they know how to treat each other well and how to look after each other when it comes to things like this. PTSD rep is something that is easily hit or miss, but I think this hit a bullseye.
Overall, 5/5 is the only rating I’m allowed to put, if it was up to me I’d rate it higher though. I honestly have no issues with the book, do however take note of the content warnings as the book doesn’t pull punches on occasion. It doesn’t hide the corruption, the xenophobia, the consequences it all has. The prologue is available for free online and I recommend reading it. This part also is the heaviest in terms of graphic/dark content so if you are alright with this part, you should be alright for the rest of the book! But believe me, whatever facts/answers you think you might know from that prologue, you might just have all those thoughts flipped upside down once you read the rest of the book…
Content Warnings: Death, Murder (also of children), Graphic Descriptions, Genocide, Racism, Xenophobia, Body Modifications Without Consent, Kidnapping.
"You don't need to face it to get over it. It's traumatic. You're allowed to move on without revisiting the trauma. You're allowed to move forward with a new life."
This book threw me through such a rollercoaster of emotions and I loved every second of it. Honestly, I think this book had the best prologue I've read in a long time. Instantly gripped and shocked me while perfectly setting up the world it's set in.
The book is a deep dive into an alternate history type path, one of what if Rome had taken over and continued for many years more. Set during Rome's industrial revolution, a very steampunk one, the story follows a group of characters as they try to take down a very quickly expanding hole of corruption and facism within the empire. Down all the winding paths and blockades that appear before them at every corner, follow their steps and hard choices they need to make to continue.
All the moves the characters made felt motivated and with purpose, whether that be through impulsivity, planning, creative thinking or just teamwork. Character growth made sense and was honestly very satisfying to read when the characters had major “growth” moments.
The LGBT+ representation was adorable as well, WLW, MLM, trixic (this was very surprising to see in a book but very nice to read! I never expect to see any kind of trixic relationships even just mentioned!), non-binary, all sorts is featured in this book and despite how much there is, none of it felt throw-away or tokenised, everyone felt human.
Additionally, the way trauma is written was good, in my opinion at least. The way the characters treat others who are having a bad time, who don’t want to talk right now, etc felt real but it also felt good. There’s many quotes, like the one above, that I’m going to keep reflecting on for a very long time. The characters aren’t perfect, but they know how to treat each other well and how to look after each other when it comes to things like this. PTSD rep is something that is easily hit or miss, but I think this hit a bullseye.
Overall, 5/5 is the only rating I’m allowed to put, if it was up to me I’d rate it higher though. I honestly have no issues with the book, do however take note of the content warnings as the book doesn’t pull punches on occasion. It doesn’t hide the corruption, the xenophobia, the consequences it all has. The prologue is available for free online and I recommend reading it. This part also is the heaviest in terms of graphic/dark content so if you are alright with this part, you should be alright for the rest of the book! But believe me, whatever facts/answers you think you might know from that prologue, you might just have all those thoughts flipped upside down once you read the rest of the book…
b00ks_'s review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I enjoyed the politics and the inclusion of the steampunk-esque body modifications. The story was definitely interesting, but didn't feel very unique or creative. I've read so many books with the exact same premise. The plot felt very rushed and the antagonist wasn't "scary." He kind of just felt like a normal politician. I wished the author would have expanded on not just the antagonist's motivations, but everyone's motivations. Characters did stuff for completely random reasons. Overall, I enjoyed the book but it wasn't anything special.
lizruest's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
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