caitlinkm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Classism, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Torture, Grief, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, Blood, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Mental illness, and War
strawberrytheauthor'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, War, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, and Infidelity
Minor: Mental illness, Misogyny, Cursing, and Torture
dk00'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
4.75
The magic system? *chefs kiss* so unique and refreshing. The pacing was excellent and the story was wonderful. I have a lot of questions, but I suspect that’s because this is only the first of the series. I will definitely be continuing.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Murder, Emotional abuse, War, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Rape, and Torture
Minor: Mental illness
hectoralvf_'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
The structure is very simple and clear, but I have some issues with the "Sanderlanche." The beginning of the book is too slow, and the climax could be faster. The "Sanderlanche" of the last 15-20% is something I really enjoy, but it leaves the rest of the novel hanging, with the focus solely on building up the ending without any major moments of tension.
The characters and worldbuilding are outstanding. You empathize a lot with the characters, and the different points of view are very well done. Although I wish I knew more about some characters like Dockson.
The world is very well constructed, both in terms of natural and cultural aspects. The decay of Scadrial is conveyed very well in the narration ("Ash fell from the sky"), and the magic system is very easy to understand without losing depth and establishing limits and costs. "Every action has consequences".
Sanderson's prose is simple and easy to read. This is something that is often criticized, but I don't agree. It makes the stories very accessible and immersive, especially in long novels. In my opinion, writing is fundamentally about delivery, about appropriately conveying a story, and Sanderson excels at this. His straightforward writing style helps the reader focus on the characters and the plot without being distracted by pretentious language. However, my only complaint is that he tends to repeat certain words or expressions too frequently.
As for the theme, I believe the story is about trust, in oneself but above all in others. I don't want to spoil anything, but this is very well represented.
In summary, it's a must-read. Despite some slow moments in the plot, the novel is very accessible, and the characters and world are wonderful.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Classism, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Mental illness, Gore, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence
seanml's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Gore, Grief, Police brutality, Torture, Violence, Body horror, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Genocide, Mental illness, Blood, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Abandonment, and Stalking
arytia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Rape, and War
Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, and Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
headinthepages'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, Abandonment, Vomit, Body horror, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Grief, Gore, Mental illness, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Slavery, Child death, Infidelity, and Medical trauma
raesansom'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
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, War, Abandonment, Slavery, and Death
Moderate: Gore, Classism, Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
handful_of_frogs's review
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Violence, War, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
oldladysadie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Body horror, Blood, and Child abuse
Moderate: Slavery, War, Abandonment, Death, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault