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scribblesandsuch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Really fun read, I love the world building and the flavours of queerness in this book. I also appreciated the ending- I find it very refreshing when a ya book is okay being a self contained single story instead of stretching out into a series for the sake of it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Death of parent
kestrelfire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Strickland certainly knows how to write nonbinary characters to be near and dear to my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I thought this was a really interesting story premise and how the magic system was something contacted to one's family and bloodline. I did think the writing was a bit jarring at times with pacing or word usage, but it was still a really enjoyable read.
I will say there is a romantic subplot that felt a bit shoehorned in. I could still keep reading the book without much issue with it but it is something that should be noted if you are already someone that is not a romantic subplot lover.
Over all I still loved the premise of the book and how the world works. The ending was super cute and honestly a different way to end a book.
I will say there is a romantic subplot that felt a bit shoehorned in. I could still keep reading the book without much issue with it but it is something that should be noted if you are already someone that is not a romantic subplot lover.
Over all I still loved the premise of the book and how the world works. The ending was super cute and honestly a different way to end a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
katerinovaaa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I am OBSESSED with Beyond the Black Door which is why I decided to read this one and I was NOT disappointed. Strickland's writing is simply magical and her books always make me gasp, laugh and cry out loud (which I usually don't do).
The plot was super fast and there was plot twist after plot twist and I couldn't catch a breath (in a good way). I found the main character Rovan annoying at times (and her drinking) but I understand that her decisions were important for the story. I love that it was poly and not a love triangle! Always down for a shadow daddy. 🥰
The betrayals hurt, and trust me, I cried, but thankfully, they didn't give me an anxiety attack, which I'm grateful for. The story was much more complex than Black Door.
Honestly, she had me at mysterious black magic and blood-sucking. 🥰 I just wish this was a series and not a standalone because I think it has a huge potential and I would love to see some parts longer and more detailed.
It also felt like the spicy scene was there just because the author felt obliged to put it there but wasn't comfortable with writing it but...it wasn't cringy?
TW: I was worried about SA but it was unnecessary, nothing happened to MC. I skipped the parts where they mentioned the way women used to be/are "mistreated" by some characters and everything was fine.
Re-read:
Still 5 stars, this time I only cried once haha. The betrayal does not even seem like a betrayal and did not make me anxious at all this time. When she says "I'm on a warpath" you know it's about to go DOOOOWN.🩸 I'm obsessed.
The plot was super fast and there was plot twist after plot twist and I couldn't catch a breath (in a good way). I found the main character Rovan annoying at times (and her drinking) but I understand that her decisions were important for the story. I love that it was poly and not a love triangle! Always down for a shadow daddy. 🥰
The betrayals hurt, and trust me, I cried, but thankfully, they didn't give me an anxiety attack, which I'm grateful for. The story was much more complex than Black Door.
Honestly, she had me at mysterious black magic and blood-sucking. 🥰 I just wish this was a series and not a standalone because I think it has a huge potential and I would love to see some parts longer and more detailed.
It also felt like the spicy scene was there just because the author felt obliged to put it there but wasn't comfortable with writing it but...it wasn't cringy?
TW: I was worried about SA but it was unnecessary, nothing happened to MC. I skipped the parts where they mentioned the way women used to be/are "mistreated" by some characters and everything was fine.
Re-read:
Still 5 stars, this time I only cried once haha. The betrayal does not even seem like a betrayal and did not make me anxious at all this time. When she says "I'm on a warpath" you know it's about to go DOOOOWN.🩸 I'm obsessed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual violence, and War
melissafelicia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I loved the worldbuilding and the atmosphere of this book a lot! A story about bloodmages with undead protectors, full of court intrigue, set in a Greco-Roman/Gothic city surrounded by a deadly blight? And it's queer as well? Amazing. There were multiple interesting scenes and twists in the story. I had trouble relating to the main character at times, because she was quite impulsive and quick to anger, but on the other hand that did bring the story to interesting places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
smellymiche's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bookish_hollyx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Sexual violence and Vomit
businesswife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Honestly loved this. Cool magic system, political drama, world War, lots of queer diversity that's beautifully written and powerful women. There is a lot of character death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, and War
kaiiyo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The casualness with which the author writes queer characters and relationships is extremely refreshing. Unique and engaging plot and setting that leaves you wanting to keep reading about this world long after the last page. Beautiful imagery combined with engaging and multifaceted characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Grief, and Classism
itisnatal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent