daelly's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
sillypunk's review against another edition
3.0
Too much going on for such a short book: https://blogendorff.com/2018/03/05/book-review-the-black-tides-of-heaven/
positivelybooked's review against another edition
3.0
Not For Me
I really wanted to love this book. I wanted to get into fantasy. I just don’t think I ever will.
I really wanted to love this book. I wanted to get into fantasy. I just don’t think I ever will.
becksusername's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
magglett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
rheagoveas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: War, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
mschilling3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
marstone's review against another edition
This story was so interesting and I loved the scope of the world and the creatures and history.
It was quite confusing at times because the magic system of the "slack" isn't really explained very clearly, we just have to pick up on it and fill in the blanks, but the principle of it is very intriguing with the use of different elemental components. The bond between the siblings is unbreakable and beautiful, though they do conflict with one another at times due to feelings of inadequacy or fear, the love they have for each other is palpable. I love the character of Akeha, I always root for the underdog, and I like the path he chose in order to set up his own story since he has no power of prophecy, and the bond he creates with his partner as a result of moving away. The time jumps were done well and all the different characters had their own personality and dimension that you could feel. The use / lack of gender roles for all the characters and the normalcy of queerness in this world was refreshing. I like that gender is something they can choose when they are older. The plot regarding prophecy and revolution as well as navigating family ties was an adventurous set up for a novella.
It was quite confusing at times because the magic system of the "slack" isn't really explained very clearly, we just have to pick up on it and fill in the blanks, but the principle of it is very intriguing with the use of different elemental components. The bond between the siblings is unbreakable and beautiful, though they do conflict with one another at times due to feelings of inadequacy or fear, the love they have for each other is palpable. I love the character of Akeha, I always root for the underdog, and I like the path he chose in order to set up his own story since he has no power of prophecy, and the bond he creates with his partner as a result of moving away. The time jumps were done well and all the different characters had their own personality and dimension that you could feel. The use / lack of gender roles for all the characters and the normalcy of queerness in this world was refreshing. I like that gender is something they can choose when they are older. The plot regarding prophecy and revolution as well as navigating family ties was an adventurous set up for a novella.
thereadingwren's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
Wow. This was awesome.
I'm not really a fantasy person and a lot of the world building bits went a little over my head but I adored these characters and this whole world. I love the talk of gender throughout this novella and I really wish our society allowed people to be genderless and then later choose, that would be amazing.
I also really loved the sibling dynamic here, I'm a huge fan of sibling bonds. I loved Akhea as a rebel and found him to be a really interesting main character. Mokoya was also a great character and I'm looking forward to where her story will go.
I really loved this world and even if the whole rebellion war-ish thing went over my head I still thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy and I cannot get enough of the way gender is portrayed here!
Wow. This was awesome.
I'm not really a fantasy person and a lot of the world building bits went a little over my head but I adored these characters and this whole world. I love the talk of gender throughout this novella and I really wish our society allowed people to be genderless and then later choose, that would be amazing.
I also really loved the sibling dynamic here, I'm a huge fan of sibling bonds. I loved Akhea as a rebel and found him to be a really interesting main character. Mokoya was also a great character and I'm looking forward to where her story will go.
I really loved this world and even if the whole rebellion war-ish thing went over my head I still thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy and I cannot get enough of the way gender is portrayed here!