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theespressoedition's review against another edition
3.5
What use were adventures when there was no one to share them with?
Today, I had finally dared to gaze at the sun, allowing its radiance to blaze through me unhindered, spilling through my veins until I was aglow. Never did I imagine such luminous joy existed, and never again would I be content to remain in the shadows. and never again would I be content to remain in the shadows.
kings were not always as just as in the stories, and the mercy of gods was sometimes flawed.
Not everyone’s past was a path through sunlit fields. We each had our own corners that we preferred to leave in the shadows.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture
solarel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the world, though. It was fun and I found it immersive. It felt rich and saturated, though at times repetitive.
What bumped it up to 3 stars for me was a twist that I had misread the signs for as overused tropes. I was delighted about this turn in the plot and it was a lot of fun to see it play out.
Overall I think this book is very charming and worth a read. Parts of the plot felt like they floated by without enough weight, and others felt as if they were drawn out far too long. I’m looking forward to the second one.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
ong's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Now onto the characters. Xingyin. Our 小星。At first so untouched by the realities of the cruel world out there, now a warrior, survivor, savior and more. Very in theme too that she was never shown what healthy love & relationships looks like so when she was thrown in a ‘love triangle’ she couldn’t made up her mind ever and felt unworthy.
Liwei. What can I say. 10/10 best of all of us.
Fuck people in power by the way.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, Dysphoria, War, and Classism
kaimetcalfe'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
rachellaroche's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
kirstenf'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Blood
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, and War
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
hiddeninfantasy's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
jessicaludden'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
So much happened in this book. I definitely feel like I read three books in one. It did feel a little slow at times, but the magic, action, and love made up for it. I loved the romantic angst in this love triangle. So much betrayal. So much longing. It was perfect. I loved getting to see Xingyin grow throughout these different phases of her life. Seeing her start out as a sheltered young girl with no powers and watching her learn how to fend for and eventually fight for herself. She’s very selfless and very determined when it comes to protecting the people she loves. I’m interested to see how the sequel goes because it feels like everything wrapped up pretty nicely at the end of this book. Although, if the next book focuses on war I may love it even more. Overall, I loved being in this world and being with Xingyin as she survived it.
Minor: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War