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crinkledmochi'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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Suicide attempt, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racism, Self harm, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Body horror and Sexual content
mgodkin1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
If you don't have the space to be empathetic towards someone with an alcohol dependency you may struggle with liking the main character. I recognize the beauty in focusing on that kind of struggle in a MC's journey but I wasn't actually expecting it to play so center stage for some reason.
I found almost all the twists to be very predictable, probably because everything was over explained any chance the author got.
Once I decided I'd stop annotating and start to "turn my brain off"/try to enjoy it for the story it is/speed read, I still had a tough time loving or even liking this book. It was fine.
Those who say it is like FBAA from JLA are more correct in terms of pacing and skill. Those who say it is similar to TOG from SJM are right only in that we have a magical realm with a king's assassin who lost a loved one and is traumatized. I wouldn't say there's anywhere near the same level of intrigue, sass from the FMC, or emotion in the writing in general. Or worldbuilding tbh.
and I have no idea why people are saying its super spicy. it was like a 🌶️🌶️ at MOST.
TL/DR; cool idea, terrible execution
Graphic: Alcoholism and Self harm
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Xenophobia
chrisb913'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
This was an absolute fantastic read from start to finish. Everything from the character growth and the world building was on point.
We start off the story with Keera, the Blade to the King and leader of his Arsenal. As the story progresses we see Keera struggle not only with her personal flaws but her commitment to the King. The character development of Keera through out the book had me desperate to continue the story.
This story has a little bit of everything. Lots of action, a mystery surrounding what is truly happening in the kingdom, a fantastic slow burn enemies to lovers subplot, and an absolute badass master assassin that is not ONLY a FMC but truly feels as though they have earned that title. Melissa writes Keera in such a way that truly outshines many other popular female lead assassin books out on the market today.
This is the first of the four book saga and i will absolutely be continuing on with this story. The first three books are out now and I HIGHLY recommend you pick this up and give it a try.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Xenophobia, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
bergha1998'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
3.75
Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Character Development, 2 🔥
“And still he found beauty in the darkness of it, in my light and my shadows.”
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
silence_underrated's review against another edition
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Rape
ruthannejoy's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Child death
anntharai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Torture
mal880_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse
molls's review against another edition
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, and Murder