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bzliz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This really picked up the pace from the first book. Plans, schemes, treachery- all flying off the page, one right after the other. Elise finds herself taking refuge with a clan of Ettans and Night Folk who have backed a new king in absence of the Night Prince. She proves herself to them time and time again including rescuing Halvar and leading to the vague imprisonment of Valen and his crew. Valen’s continued refusal to reveal his identity leaves him at the mercy of Ari- the new king- and he finally starts to see that keeping his distance will not keep Elise from danger.
The big plot twist at the end felt strongly foreshadowed throughout and it really goes to show that you can’t trust that the dead will remain so in this universe. No one is safe. Elise’s mother and two kidnapped guards show us the first few hints of humanity in any of the Timorans beyond Elise. The downright cruel nature some characters display really toes the line on cartoonishness but rarely crosses over. I’m excited to read the next and continue Elise and Valen’s story.
Content Warnings:
Blood, death, injury, murder, violence, war (on page):There is so much war brewing here and the characters are prepared to pop off at any moment. No descriptions felt tremendously horrifying or gratuitous
Torture (off page):there is discussion of the types of torture the Timoran royals will enact. Some mentions are made about how they treat their prisoners.
Kidnapping & confinement (on page):A bunch of characters including Elise and Halvar are captured and taken to prison against their will.
Fire/fire injury (on page):Tor is able to wield fire and does so to the deaths of many guards. Descriptions are brief and somewhat vague
Rape, sexual assault, sexual violence (off page): <spoilers>A captured female Raven is described as having had one of the Timoran captains force himself on her. Addition mentions made of these types of violence being committed against women.
Sexual content (on page):Elise and Valen share a love scene. It is mildly spicy but not vulgar in any way.
Slavery (off page):This world includes serfs which are in fact enslaved people.
Vomit (on page):Multiple scenes where Elise is described as swallowing back her bile. Blunt descriptions of vomit when Valen & Co. have their magic suppression bracelets removed.
The big plot twist at the end felt strongly foreshadowed throughout and it really goes to show that you can’t trust that the dead will remain so in this universe. No one is safe. Elise’s mother and two kidnapped guards show us the first few hints of humanity in any of the Timorans beyond Elise. The downright cruel nature some characters display really toes the line on cartoonishness but rarely crosses over. I’m excited to read the next and continue Elise and Valen’s story.
Content Warnings:
Blood, death, injury, murder, violence, war (on page):
Torture (off page):
Kidnapping & confinement (on page):
Fire/fire injury (on page):
Rape, sexual assault, sexual violence (off page): <spoilers>A captured female Raven is described as having had one of the Timoran captains force himself on her. Addition mentions made of these types of violence being committed against women.
Sexual content (on page):
Slavery (off page):
Vomit (on page):
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture and Kidnapping
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury