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andmingmingtoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Pros:
-The general premise is really fun. I was excited to learn more about the dragon, magic, and government systems of the world
-The action sequences actually felt tense, and they definitely felt like they would be cinematic if in a visual format
-The side characters were really fun (and often eclipsed the main character in likeability)
-Xaden is an interesting and actually respectful male lead
Cons:
-A lot of Violet's inner monologue feels jarring and sometimes detracts from a tense vibe in a scene
-A lot of scenes that would be interesting and would add to the characters' growth are left offscreen, like they were cut for time, despite this being an original work where the author could decide what did and didn't exist. For instance,
-A lot of visual descriptions of settings were left out, like
-For the most part, we have to take Violet's word for it that characters, including herself, have experienced growth. The growth seems to happen offscreen and is not substantiated by their onscreen actions
Additionally, this book is screaming to be part of a series (I am aware that the sequel is out and a series is in the works, as is a movie). In my opinion, there is no finite conclusion of the book's overall plot quest at the end, mostly because there is not one unifying plot quest. The extent of the book is defined temporally, not from a plot perspective, which can give the book the feel of a series of episodes, rather than a unifying experience.
Obviously, this book is popular! I did enjoy it, and I can see how others may enjoy it more than me. That being said, it is not a polished experience, but if you know to expect that, it may help you brace yourself and enjoy it more.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
abibliophobiah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
i feel like the story progressed slowly but the plot twists - worth it
the writing at the beginning is very basic, she wouldn't stop using ADJECTIVES!!! but it got better as the book continues
poor violet has been turned into a pick me - i could not stand her for the first half of the book, but then she stops. It's not her fault though, because she doesn't behave pick-me she just keeps on saying she's tiny and WHY DO THE OTHER CHARACTERS HAVE TO CHIME IN LIKE "you're so small", "he's so big" ugh. it stops but then randomly at the end of the book it is mentioned again like GIRL? i thought we were past this...
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and War
hnovak12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
On the other hand, there is high-school level swooning from the constantly horny main character (omg Xaden is so beautiful and lethal. He totally wants to murder me but I'd rather he murder my hymen) blended with cringe-inducing graphic sex scenes.
If you have the fortitude to wade through the YA trash, it's an engaging story.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child death
erkietheturkey'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
4.25
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Drug use, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
summerbummer'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? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
c_dmckinney's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
mother_of_theo'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? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
ahalstead'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
4.25
I bawled by eyes out during parts of this book due to
As much as I devoured this book I also had several issues with it, which results in my numerical rating. I love a good
I understand that the idea is that
That being said, I'm hoping there is more growth about this with these characters. I'm all for the spicy moments, I just dont need or want them during emotional moments like these. If I'm fighting with my significant other over something as astronomical as what they went through, I'm not thinking about how hot they are.
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
mysteryspouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Excrement
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail