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ashthigs7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
chrisb913'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
There were two major cons for me though. One was the rampant misogyny throughout. The "villains" were open about it but even the heroes had it shine through from time to time either in actions or inner monologuing. Also, around the 55%-75% mark the story feels like it comes to a screeching halt to slog through some muck. It does pick up and ends on a high note.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Rape, and Sexual assault
chasinggrace'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? It's complicated
3.0
The culture that the author creates is masterful and the world is lush. If you take the time to understand the intricacies of this land and its people, you’ll be transported.
However, it’s clear that this book is to be seen as a tool for world-building. While the pacing isn’t bad, the middle of the novel is bogged down with details - names, battles, animals, locations, places, gods, etc - that slow down the plot. I found this book difficult to want to pick up at times, because it isn’t something to be consumed lightly. There is a need to constantly remind myself of who is who, where everyone is, which god rules which state, what city is where, etc. Many characters are introduced just to be killed, but such is the matter of war.
Overall, I’m interested to see where this story goes, but I hope the next books are more intriguing than a war & peace play-by-play. I hope to feel more attached to the characters, hopefully through more intricate relationships. This was a slow-burn labor of love to read.
Favorite characters I hope to see explored in the following books: Jia, Gin, Kuni
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Slavery, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
isi__1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
The focus of the story constantly switches between different sides of the war and also between more important characters and very minor characters.
The best way to describe this book is that it feels like reading a textbook about this important historical event: This battle happened at this place, then these characters met and had a discussion about this topic, then this other battle took place, then this person died, then another battle took place,…you get the gist.
I saw someone else describe this as “outlining a whole epic series“ which is a rather apt description, in my opinion.
Because the narration felt so clinical and impersonal, I had a hard time getting attached to the characters. In the same way you wouldn‘t really get attached to the characters in a history textbook. I‘ve heard that the sequel is a bit more character-driven. That‘s why I really want to try it. If it doesn‘t manage to pull me in, though, I‘m just gonna have to accept that this series might not be for me.
It very well is a case of this book just not working for me personally. I would still recommend checking it out if it sounds interesting, because it could be a new favorite for someone else.
The writer is certainly skilled and the book feels well-thought-out. The concept is definitely quite intriguing, but the execution simply didn‘t work for me.
I don‘t dislike this book, but I also don‘t care about it at all. It unfortunately left me with this feeling of apathy. Not necessarily what I‘m looking for when I‘m reading a book for entertainment.
Graphic: War
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
blacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Slavery, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Cannibalism, and Colonisation
There is lots of talk of forcing women into sexual slavery. Eye injuries.paperbacktiger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Rape
kendal_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and War
macliffe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infertility, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Excrement, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Blood, and Pregnancy
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
This is an incredible novel that shows so many complex characters. It has such a vast world that leaves you desperately wanting to explore more of it.
The book seemed quite daunting when I tried reading the physical copy. I think I kept letting the size of the book and the small print intimidate me...so I switched over to my ereader and stopped stressing. I'm so glad that I didn't end up DNF-ing and was able to fully experience the ups and downs in this amazing story.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and War
nquinlan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility, Trafficking, and Death of parent