samkilbride'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
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Slavery, Xenophobia, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual violence
brogancha's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
jodean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gore, War, Death, Classism, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Grief, and Physical abuse
Minor: Body horror, Ableism, Abandonment, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
kermitkid'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
4.0
Moderate: Sexual violence, Death, Violence, Torture, Trafficking, War, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Rape
unluckycat13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, Rape, and Violence
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
destiny_jay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Genocide, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Death, Violence, War, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Slavery
Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, Physical abuse, Torture, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
kaimetcalfe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Classism, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child abuse, Murder, Rape, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexual violence, Death of parent, Torture, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
angstifies'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
4.0
i loved the world building, the magic system, and how the plot developed; but i did not connect much with the characters, and i wished the side characters had been more “flashed out”, and i also can’t say that i was very invested in the story for the first half of the novel.
the latter 50% of the book however was amazing! it was much more interesting and i was truly pulled into the story.
i know this was one of Sanderson’s first published works so i wasn’t too surprised at the slightly weak writing, but the dialogue made me cringe several times, and the lack of female characters & a terrible forced straight romance (that was unbearable for me and had absolutely ZERO chemistry + why is a 21yo dude not leaving this 16yo girl alone???) bothered me.
don’t know if i’ll be reading the sequels of this specific series but i’ll definitely be checking out Brandon Sanderson’s other books.
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Death, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Murder, Child abuse, Child death, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, War, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, and Suicide
maulikki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Slavery, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Murder, Racism, Genocide, and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, War, Bullying, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Cursing, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, and Torture