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jaxgerman'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
4.0
I do love a fantasy book and this sure delivers on a beautiful and intriguing new world to step into.
Though I found the beginning a bit hard going, there were many complex new words and categories of people and all the world building made the first half or so quite slow paced but it did ultimately keep my interest till when the action started which point I was so gripped I didn’t want to put it down. I would also say that the world is seemingly very heavily influenced by pre Russian revolution Russia.
If your into YA Fantasy I would definitely recommend you give it a go.
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The world building and magic system is interesting (if not semi-lazy with the quasi-Russian culture) but the characters are flat and one dimensional. I was waffling on whether or not to continue the series but the idea of what comes next from the main character's POV doesn't thrill me so I'll probably look up what happens instead.
It's bizarre that the main character starts out as an orphan from war (roughly 8 years old), and seems mature beyond her 17 years by the time the main story arc starts (she is an apprentice cartographer in the army), and then regresses into angsty teenager drama full of petty, juvenile, and shallow plot points because of a chosen one trope?
Lastly, the romance was bad. Both dudes are controlling and manipulative, want to possess her, don't actually care what she wants. Think of any high school romance drama and you will understand the tropes thrown in this book. There's literally a glow up/makeover scene (multiple times actually because they want to emphasize how much she's changed from the 'skinny-but-not-in-a-hot-way' person she was before).
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, and Classism
courtneyreads01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
safety_pin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Minor: Slavery and Fire/Fire injury
veganecurrywurst's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Kidnapping
sunflowervol28'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
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Slavery, and Toxic friendship
jennifer_bush_73's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol