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theespressoedition'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? Yes
3.5
I blame myself for the majority of lack of understanding here. I struggle with listening to fantasy audiobooks because I know that I miss a lot of the minor details that make the story come together. However, when I began this one, I was driving, which allowed me to almost fully focus on the book and retain all the information. I couldn't stop listening! It was fascinating and the characters hooked me. I felt like I understood what was happening really well.
However... about halfway through, I had to listen to it while doing things other than driving or cleaning, which mean my focus was split. This created a bit of a gap in my mind during the most crucial moments. I should've known that the second half was where it would need my attention the very most.
That being said, there were things that I missed that made me feel a little disconnected towards the end. This made me realize that for the sequel I need to do one of two things: either listen to the entire thing while accomplishing brainless tasks OR read a physical copy to retain it better. I really do want to comprehend the intricate story because it truly did interest me.
There were some great twists that I did catch and I loved that. I didn't see them coming, which is a rarity for me! I also liked the character development a lot, though the ending was slightly predictable in my opinion, as I've seen it so many times before in stories like this one. I'm excited to see how the sequel will surprise me!
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Slavery
stephbakerbooks'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
I loved the world-building in this one—the book starts with two maps so you know it's gonna be good. There's no info-dumping but things are clearly explained, and the magic system was so interesting! I'm constantly impressed by fantasy authors that continue to come up with unique ways for magic to work in their worlds. I also really loved the jungle setting here—I was getting Catching Fire vibes which definitely had me more on the edge of my seat!
The characters were also great. We spend the most time with Koffi and Ekon of course, and they get the development and complexity they're due as main characters, but I'd say it's more plot-focused than character-focused. There are some interesting side characters I would've like to spend more time with, but maybe that'll happen in book two.
The plot, like I said, started out really slow, and I think I felt this way because it just took forever for the characters to actually meet and start their journey in the jungle. There were also some repeated scenes from a different POV that slowed the pace down. But once it picked up, the plot pretty much hit all the points I was expecting from a YA fantasy—which is a good thing!
Overall, definitely a good fantasy story and I'm looking forward to reading book two!
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Slavery and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Drug use
isabellesbookroom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, and Classism
vaniavela'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
4.0
Positives Aspects:
- The characters were well written and I found them likable, being that Koffi, Ekon and Adiah had complex personalities. I enjoyed reading the perspectives of all of them, giving us a different view of the kingdom and the story.
- The world of Lkossa was amazing, full of cultural details and vibrant descriptions. I would have loved to see more scenes in more interesting locations, such as the night zoo or the jungle.
Negative Aspects:
- It was slow paced, not much happens in the first hundred pages. Also, before reading the book I thought the animals would have a bigger part in the story. I expected more of that.
rep: Black/African female MC, Black/African male MC with anxiety and OCD, Black/African female MC, supporting cast of BIPOC characters.
cw: Blood, death, drug use, fire, injury detail, medical content, mental illness (anxiety/OCD), murder, panic attacks/disorders, violence, xenophobia.
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
cemeterygay'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? It's complicated
5.0
It was just a phenomenal fantasy that I cannot recommend enough if you're looking for interesting worldbuilding with even better protagonists.
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
CW: Non-consensual drug use and abuse, Anxiety, Manipulation, Manipulative relationshipbani'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Torture
queergoth_reads'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
4.75
I did find it a little slow to begin with but it didn't take long to pick up the pace and draw me in.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
haylzno'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? It's complicated
4.75
Phenomenal, amazing, adventurous, a wild ride all around. I absolutely LOVED this novel.
I'm not one to binge a larger book like this but I devoured it in no time. Unlike some reviews, I found the pacing to be perfect. I loved the multiPOVs and the jumping timelines. And while each chapter gave you clues here and there that guided you to these plot guesses, nothing was overtly obvious or random. There were plenty of plot twists that had me saying "oh daaayummm!!". And when I tell you my heart BROKE in two when I hit the end of the book - I mean...talk about a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the second book.
Additionally, I really loved the authors note, which educated the readers on where her inspiration of the characters, creatures, and world building came from. I had just as much fun reading the authors note as I had reading the novel!
This will absolutely be one I reread in the future, especially once Beasts of Ruin comes out!
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, and War
onemamareads'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
csevet'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
5.0
Moderate: Death
Giant spiders