river_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
screamingthroughtheradio's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
(re-read)
cheyneflynn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-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? Yes
4.75
The world building and plot in this book is insane!!! It was tricky to warm up to initially but I found the character glossary and word glossary a massive help. This made it so much more accessible to understand the plot and what the characters were all rooting for. In the end I found that despite my entire opinion of the characters, I was happy with how their arch’s ended.
If found it a bit surprising that the East knew Inysh language, but it was justified and I’d lean that into being nit picky.
Otherwise I’d read the prequel and the book that Shannon has in the drafts (for now). I became quite attached to Ead and Tané
Spoiler
the witch is one of the most interesting characters in the book. Honestly if the history had been told as present time, her loving her son/not son would’ve been gross, but also the least interesting thing about herIf found it a bit surprising that the East knew Inysh language, but it was justified and I’d lean that into being nit picky.
Otherwise I’d read the prequel and the book that Shannon has in the drafts (for now). I became quite attached to Ead and Tané
albawaterhouse's review against another edition
5.0
Great epic story that proves over and over throughout its pages that medieval fantasy doesn't need to be a misogyny party. I enjoyed it so much that despite having more than 800 pages it felt short.
lena_on_me's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE this book! It is one of the most rich high fantasy books that I have ever read. Every character is well developed and their stories are beautifully intertwined. I read it in two chunks of time because there is a lot of characters and story arcs so I wanted a refresh period.
clara_hedman's review against another edition
5.0
By far the best book I’ve read this year, absolutely amazing.
amyshi's review against another edition
5.0
This was absolutely INCREDIBLE. It’s a huge feat to write an 800-page book where I still want more afterwards. The world-building is so rich and full of history and the characters are so layered from different walks of life and belief systems but Samantha Shannon weaves them together so effortlessly. I cannot wait to read the prequel in a month.
sophiaruffo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0