lovepixity's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent and Chronic illness
Moderate: Self harm, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Suicide
marareading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reading this again was as good as the first time. I love this book. The building of the worlds, wars, and characters. The gifts, dueling families and faith. the characters have so much depth. the world has so much depth and scenery built in. I love the development and twists.
Akos and Cyra are my ultimate enemies to lovers. Having fates given from birth that cannot be changed, and families at odds from across the divide they are told they cannot change. Definitely worth the read, and re-read.
The two sides of this war are so divided by pride and and blinded by what they think they know of the other. One thinking the other is brutal and intense. One thinking the other is weak. While that not being the case. Assuming the other side is a monolith... Having a power to every person and a date that can't be changed on top of that. It is a great read when I put in into perspective of culture, assumptions of humans, and how much we trust in politics & traditions.
Akos and Cyra are my ultimate enemies to lovers. Having fates given from birth that cannot be changed, and families at odds from across the divide they are told they cannot change. Definitely worth the read, and re-read.
The two sides of this war are so divided by pride and and blinded by what they think they know of the other. One thinking the other is brutal and intense. One thinking the other is weak. While that not being the case. Assuming the other side is a monolith... Having a power to every person and a date that can't be changed on top of that. It is a great read when I put in into perspective of culture, assumptions of humans, and how much we trust in politics & traditions.
Graphic: Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Violence, and War
ryleebunton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I didn't mind this book it was just underwhelming. It didn't feel like we got any character development and not much changed with the characters. I didn't feel as attached as I wanted or expected to. It's also so so slow. I haven't read book 2 and I can already say they could have both been shortened and been one book. I liked Akos' chapters much more but was confused as to why they weren't in 1st person if half the book is supposed to be from his perspective. I also kept for getting this book was set in space ??? It feels like it would have been better as a shorter, more condensed fantasy (rather than sci-fi). It could have been much better if so much was cut out because at the end of the book we're not much further along from where we started. eh.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, and War
bookishblackgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
TL;DR: Boring plot, disconnect from the characters, and can't remember what's going on
I've never seen a plot that was so convoluted, but nonexistent at the same time. While reading, I found myself not remembering exactly what was going on, and the entire affair of finishing this book was extremely boring. Almost DNF but finished after four months simply because my desire to be done with the whole thing outweighed mine to move on with another book. I rate 2.5 because there were some moments the bok managed to catch my interest, but they were few and far between.
I've never seen a plot that was so convoluted, but nonexistent at the same time. While reading, I found myself not remembering exactly what was going on, and the entire affair of finishing this book was extremely boring.
Spoiler
Ryzek being emphasized as the biggest villain of the novel and cause for everyone's suffering, his death would end everything. That was the only reason I kept reading, to finally see the end, but he was spared. All of this teasing for one of the most unsatisfying endings in a book I didn't even really like.Graphic: Gore and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death
Minor: Death of parent
megannoelle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Chronic illness and Self harm
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