mal_reads_books's review
This book has an interesting concept and strong start, but at this point I’ve lost interest. It’s very average/typical/tropey YA.
Right now I’ve got a lot on my plate and have other books that I need to prioritize over this one. I don’t expect to revisit this book.
Right now I’ve got a lot on my plate and have other books that I need to prioritize over this one. I don’t expect to revisit this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Pretty solid book. I will read the sequel but maybe not immediately.
I thought the characters were interesting along with the world. It was a little slow in some places for me, but I enjoyed it regardless.
I thought the characters were interesting along with the world. It was a little slow in some places for me, but I enjoyed it regardless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Blood, and Death
bookthief's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. The story line was amazing and well thought out. I loved Amoras character as she was brave and fierce. Bastain was a character I loved immediately. His personality was great. However, there were lots of different types of magics and islands that it was hard to remember which was which. I 100% recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
midnacine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
"The world doesn't work with only your eyes, Princess. There's truth in more than what you can see."
I had a hard time getting into this at first, which was really surprising to me cuz pirates are like... my thing. Around 80 pages, while I loved the characters introduced, I found myself just not clicking with the book as much as I wanted to. It could very well just be me taking time to warm to a new series, because I consider myself notorious on that front. It could have also just been that I was trying desperately to not pick up a new book as soon as it released (I've been avoiding spoilers like the plague). But I think the main culprit is just there's a ton of exposition that's not extremely necessary to the plot of the book- maybe it could have been saved for later, even for book two. But once we were introduced to Vataea, that something clicked.
I'm not sure if I just sensed the missing dynamic when Vataea wasn't there or what, because it wasn't her character itself that made the book hard to put down, just the fact that she kind of pulled everything together. All of the sudden, I could actually read 20-40 pages at a time without even realizing it. And the little bit of romance between Amora and Bastian coming to fruition didn't hurt, either.
To me, the best part about this book were the last 150 pages. Riding the emotional journey of discovering the Montara family's secret with Amora was incredibly satisfying, as well were all of the battle scenes we get to experience from her perspective. And the internal struggle she faces in the final act? It was the nail in the coffin that got me to connect with Amora on a deeper level.
Overall, I really enjoy Adalyn Grace's writing style and I look forward to reading the second! Maybe I'll even add Belladonna to my TBR soon!
I had a hard time getting into this at first, which was really surprising to me cuz pirates are like... my thing. Around 80 pages, while I loved the characters introduced, I found myself just not clicking with the book as much as I wanted to. It could very well just be me taking time to warm to a new series, because I consider myself notorious on that front. It could have also just been that I was trying desperately to not pick up a new book as soon as it released (I've been avoiding spoilers like the plague). But I think the main culprit is just there's a ton of exposition that's not extremely necessary to the plot of the book- maybe it could have been saved for later, even for book two. But once we were introduced to Vataea, that something clicked.
I'm not sure if I just sensed the missing dynamic when Vataea wasn't there or what, because it wasn't her character itself that made the book hard to put down, just the fact that she kind of pulled everything together. All of the sudden, I could actually read 20-40 pages at a time without even realizing it. And the little bit of romance between Amora and Bastian coming to fruition didn't hurt, either.
To me, the best part about this book were the last 150 pages. Riding the emotional journey of discovering the Montara family's secret with Amora was incredibly satisfying, as well were all of the battle scenes we get to experience from her perspective. And the internal struggle she faces in the final act? It was the nail in the coffin that got me to connect with Amora on a deeper level.
Overall, I really enjoy Adalyn Grace's writing style and I look forward to reading the second! Maybe I'll even add Belladonna to my TBR soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and War
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Rape
kshertz's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
This was an adventure to follow the princess. I like the fantasy elements and that there’s some romance though that’s not the focus. I enjoyed it and hope that the nation will come together to be the best nation it can be. But I was not invested enough to continue with the series. Sometimes I got confused with what was real and what was a curse that was making the narrator unreliable. But for the most part, it’s an engaging read that keeps you guessing to the end!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Body horror, Murder, Violence, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
lizzye33's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Hate crime, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Body horror, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty and Fire/Fire injury
lit_with_lauren's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder
planetshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This story felt like every other YA fantasy. I was told this is contains a unique magic system, but the basic ideas of it are common, and blood magic is nothing new.
However, it isn’t bad, and the audiobook was very well done.
However, it isn’t bad, and the audiobook was very well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
tiffsbookjourney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
This was a lot darker than I anticipated!! I enjoyed reading this book for the majority of the book. I felt like the world was set up really well and had pretty distinct features. The Characters were actually really great! It's one of the first YA FMC that actually has a brain and can communicate through problems and make things work with a partner. There was also an awesome component of consent with the Fade to Black scenes!
However, the ending and the epilogue felt a bit rushed and felt like it lacked depth.
Also the narrator for the audiobook wasn't it for me.
However, the ending and the epilogue felt a bit rushed and felt like it lacked depth.
Also the narrator for the audiobook wasn't it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Blood, War, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
ka_ke's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
All the Stars & Teeth is a lovely read. The characters are easy to love, and the world building is beautiful. If I had to explain it to someone, I would suggest they imagine a story with a bit of Pirates of the Caribbean, the Princess Bride and a touch of Peter Pan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Grief, Misogyny, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture, Sexual content, Trafficking, and Self harm