shaylac's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
After finishing the first book in the series I was excited to start the second book to get a more in-depth look at some of the characters but it felt like it was a bit lackluster. There wasn't much plot or character building in this book, granted there were a lot of things that happened throughout the book. It almost felt as though there were too many issues instead of the characters having to focus on one or two; as a reader there wasn't a main focal point as it almost felt chaotic.
To be fair, there were a lot of twists and turns that you would have or not have picked up hints on throughout the book. There's also a good amount of spice that was included, which I think we're all here for 😉
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Grief, and Rape
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, War, and Pregnancy
dorleness'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Rape, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Child death, and Cursing
julienicole1106's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Child death, Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, Alcohol, Animal death, Sexual assault, Blood, Death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Pregnancy, Rape, and Toxic friendship
yilliun'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
3.75
That being said, I feel like some plot points were fairly predictable and easily guessed
Spoiler
even Sorin’s betrayal before I read the chapter where it was confirmed. Adrian aside, he seemed the most revolted by what he and his friends had become. However, I absolutely could not have guessed how Ana “betrayed” Isolde and Adrian. I did find it hard to believe that Ana killed Isla (despite it being unintentional, I think).I don’t buy into the whole for the greater good thing, especially with Violeta’s death. Killian saying goodbye to her had me tearing up. And Isolde’s conversation with her mother about has me sobbing
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Pregnancy
The book has a page for content warnings in the front.ha_its_sarah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Spoiler
THAT ENDING!! Scarlett St. Clair, get your self over here and tell me happens next this INSTANT!This story is so poignant, given the political climate. It's a story where women, especially those deemed more powerful than men are targeted. And it doesn't slap you in the face right out of the gate. Oh no, Ms.St. Clair draws you in, makes you fall in love with these characters, has you rooting for these characters, invested in their lives then BAM! The true motive for Ravena is revealed. And I can't say I disagree with her, or am mad about it.
Looking back I can see the signs that Ana is Ravena. And back when Isolde was Yesenia and was pregnant when she burned made me mad af. Among all the other things Drago did to her of course. So much was torn away from Yesenia, and the more Isolde remembers of her past and the more people target and underestimate her, I think the more unstoppable she will become. Isolde and Adrian are morally grey characters, but honestly I'd be okay if they became the villains.
I'm just not sure how the goddesses and Adrian play into Ravena's motivations and goals. Also what is the seed her Mom gave her? How did she see/visit her Mom?
Minor: Rape, Torture, and Pregnancy
just_one_more_paige's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, War, and Fire/Fire injury
livfowler's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Child death, Colonisation, Blood, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, War, Misogyny, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Sexual violence, Vomit, Grief, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy, Infertility, Alcoholism, Torture, Abandonment, Addiction, Death of parent, Confinement, Sexual assault, and Rape
oruairc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
We always fight and fuck.
That's the plot. There are some reveals in there, somewhere. Somewhere...
But that's mostly it. Isolde and Adrian fight and fuck. And do it again. And again.
I was quite angry reading it, but anger that drives me to read the next one. I'm disappointed in myself, truly, but I'm committed to the end.
Graphic: Violence, War, Blood, Death, Murder, Sexual content, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Physical abuse
Minor: Trafficking, Rape, Vomit, and Pregnancy
lilpeaches's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was great reading Isolde's struggle with the idea of being changed by Adrian and then
Spoiler
her change into an aufhocker.Anyway while I was zooming through the beginning and middle of the book with all the new magic and wanting to know what was going on with Ravena and if it was actually her causing the mist and plague, I found the end extremely confusing and lacking. She kind of throws a lot of twists and turns in, without explanation. For example,
Spoiler
the twist with Sorin was great and I was truly shook, but now Adrian is being controlled by Dis (which Daroc knew about) and it was actually Isolde that created the book to destroy Adrian aka Dis and she was working with Ravena when she was Yesenia and oh Ana is also in on it and has actually been using the book. Did I mention Yesenia was also pregnant when she died?Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: War, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Violence
kloughlin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder and Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, and Blood