mlweih's review
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Murder, Racism, Torture, Violence, and War
just_one_more_paige'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Racism, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Torture, Sexual assault, War, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
bkmckown's review
2.0
The overall story was fairly interesting. The sexy parts were indeed spicy. That’s about it.
Now for the stuff I did NOT like:
Let me preface this to say that I don’t like fantasy that much. Especially the ones who refer to characters in full name, the ones that have names that are difficult to pronounce, the ones that have exotic names for every group of people, location, position, etc
The main character is basically a child who is taught in the erotic arts. HUGE WTF! She’s a sex slave. Her first “master” just enjoys inflicting pain- which part of her “curse” makes it pleasurable to her. I felt like it wasn’t BDSM, but just abuse. Maybe there was a time in my life where I’d find this read enjoyable, but this isn’t it.
I did give it 2 stars because the author did create and intricate cast of characters and story, but honestly, I would’ve DNF at any other time.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Classism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, War, Death, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, and Misogyny
lily_alybaba's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
Minor: Torture
ambientdusk's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Slavery
Moderate: Torture, Bullying, Animal death, Confinement, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Blood, Misogyny, Murder, Slavery, and Death
zone_a3'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: Sexual content, War, Death of parent, and Torture
Moderate: Trafficking, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Rape
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Abandonment
strawberrypinch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Trafficking, Alcohol, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Body horror, and Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
mariamizhys's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
First reaction: I liked it. It was emotionally engaging, the world was interesting and I found the characters curious. The plot was meh, but not bad. The world building and character work made up for it. I empathized with our heros and was genuinely on the edge of my seat during the finale battle because I was anxious for them.
After a few days of stewing over it and analyzing:
It's an epic fantasy set in an alternate history to ours in the early middle ages (7th or 8th century). The author made a few very bold and unique choices in terms of setting (for example: our heroine is a high class prostitute, and she likes it). The plot is tropy and predictable, and reminiscent of an epic Ballade (
Spoiler
example: the death of a mentor.)but because the setting is so unusual the tropes seem less predictable because I haven't encountered them in these circumstances. The plot defiantly managed to surprise me on a number of major decisions. I like that.
Spoiler
One major criticism I have is, that almost every conflict seems to be resolved by Phaedra having sex with her adversary or letting them torture her. My default reaction to meeting a new character became: "Ah! And when is she going to f*ck him/her?". And that is just plain boring.
Graphic: Grief, Slavery, War, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault
massivepizzacrust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I think for what the content of this book is, I didn't love the "narrating from the future" writing choice. It felt detached and I've never been a fan of explicit foreshadowing. All the emotionally important raunchy scenes happened off screen or were only summarized in a couple of sentences, while the "just what work looks like" scenes were the ones highlighted. That's just not what I personally enjoy. But I liked the world building, where the wider plot went and how the main character interacted with the diplomatic challenges around her given her skills...
Phedre's boys were my favorite part, I love them. Also, if Joscelin could unbutton about two more buttons on his shirt, he would be so much better than Melisande could ever be. That's just my two cents.
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and War
little_fox_'s review
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault