readingwithkaitlyn'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Violence, War, Blood, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Racism, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Colonisation, Body horror, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Suicide, Torture, Alcohol, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Starvation, homelessness, brothels.thebankofbooks'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
4.25
Graphic: Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, War, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Death, Grief, Body horror, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Child death
jjjreads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Classism, Xenophobia, Confinement, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Violence, War, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Colonisation, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Pregnancy, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Homophobia, Medical content, and Blood
dummehure'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
Spoiler
The tension between the two main characters is almost unbearable and it makes me feel like I didn't just spend almost the whole book without even a kiss. Talk about a slow burn this was done so amazingly and I adore Priya and Malini together they are so unbelievably different and fit so naturally, their chemistry is insane.Spoiler
One of my favorites things about this book is the fact that we are exclusively dealing with morally grey characters and we basically have to choose the lesser evil. Also the way religion is handled in this book feels so respectful and truthful. Depending on the POV that we have atm the character is either atheist or of one or the other religion and none is considered the one correct option, every single one has truth in it and there's something so beautiful about that.And the plot had me in a chokehold, absolutely captivating!!
I cannot wait to read the sequel as soon as possible!!
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Death, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, and Drug abuse
Minor: War and Pregnancy
karcitis'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
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Murder, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Grief, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent, Child abuse, Classism, Kidnapping, Vomit, and Alcohol
12amiridescence'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 begins with a princess named Malini, required to sacrifice herself at a pyre with her two attendants in respect to the "Mothers of Flame", and when she refuses, she is outcast by her brother, Emperor Chandra, and sentenced to life in prison. Then, there is also a servant girl named Priya who, in her down time, wishes to help village children that have become sick with "the rot" which is a disease that caused a lot of the body to be changed into nature--roots, bark, leaves, buds--and it is believed to be a curse given to this part of the empire by the temple children, who burned along with their elders. As the story advances Priya becomes Malini's maidservant and they try to devise a plan to save themselves--Malini wishing to overthrow her brother, and Priya wishing to understand herself, her past, and her meaning. We eventually learn many things about the temple children, the corrupt empire, the rot, and why so many wish to stick to their beliefs.
The story does a great job combining elements of fate, self-discovery, and family all while providing us with powerful, feminist main characters that happen to fall in love and strive to take down patriarchal roles in society.
I completely loved the wlw representation in the story and was mesmerized by the way the author described many scenes. The hair washing and the waterfall moments were beautifully written and will forever be some of my favorite book-tension moments.
"'I am your loyal servant, my lady," she said hurriedly, filling the silence. 'You can tell me whatever you wish.'
Malini was silent for a time, as Priya untangled her hair, as the water dripped to the floor." (Page 151).
My favorite thing about this book, though, is the strong female leads and how they overturn the patriarchal systems and misogyny they face. Most important to note is Bhumika. Besides feeling so connected to her, and relating to many characteristics, her journey in the story is amazing. She always knew who she was and stayed true to herself, even when many things around her allowed her to be the opposite. She was able to harness this understanding of herself, and eventually step into her power. Slay queen. Feminism was such a major role in this book and I think the author portrayed it perfectly.
"In her years of marriage, Bhumika had made sure of one thing, at least: Vikram was the master of his mahal, but the first loyalty of the majority of maids and children, the soldiers and serving men, those who cooked the food and set the fires, and held arrows and swords against the dark, was to her.
She--the regent's kindly wife, his vapid dove--had saved them. She had given them work and a home. And she demanded nothing in return." (Page 171).
Besides those two things which set the book to be amazing for me was simply the plot and the storyline. The way the romance began and the two main characters developed their trust. The crossover of characters and their journeys. The morally grey elements and how characters discovered themselves. The way the story eventually all fit together. The way certain scenes were detailed and described. The medium pace and the perfect amount of information given. All of it came together to create a great story.
"Pramila snorted. 'And what tales can she tell you, princess? She's likely not even literate. Are you, girl?'
'I am an Ahirani maid,' Priya said, which was not exactly an agreement. 'And no more.'
Malini smiled at her, the barest lift of the corners of her lips, and saw the maidservant's eyes widen a little.
Surely, they both knew that was a lie." (Page 140).
The only thing, though, is that although I rated this 4.5 stars and loved the book, I will probably not read the second due to the fact that I don't feel completely emotionally attached to the characters or plot to continue reading and wanting to know what happens. The book ended in a way where many questions and loose ends were answered and there is not an immediate need to read the second.
Regardless, I LOVED this story and I would 10/10 recommend.
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Misogyny
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Blood, Child abuse, and Drug abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, and Physical abuse
raneyak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Ableism, Colonisation, Death, and Classism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Domestic abuse
mistyfoot19's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Abandonment, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Blood, War, Sexism, Pregnancy, Medical content, Homophobia, Grief, Classism, and Colonisation
reinedespres'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
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Body horror
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, War, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Abandonment
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Blood, Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Xenophobia, Classism, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Sexual content, Homophobia, Gore, and Suicidal thoughts