leticiaariana's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, War, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
ashleighisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Murder, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Death, Ableism, Bullying, and War
bookfilledcottage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was the perfect antidote to a reading slump!
It was a super exciting and addictive read, and despite its length, it never felt like the story was being dragged out.
The character’s were well constructed and their relationships felt complex and real. The main romance was electrifying and the world-building felt so refreshing!
The whole experience was riveting and I will absolutely continue the series.
The only downside to this story, in my own opinion, was the amount of explicit sex, foul language and violence. But, at the same time, given its context it does seem quite appropriate within the world built.
It was a super exciting and addictive read, and despite its length, it never felt like the story was being dragged out.
The character’s were well constructed and their relationships felt complex and real. The main romance was electrifying and the world-building felt so refreshing!
The whole experience was riveting and I will absolutely continue the series.
The only downside to this story, in my own opinion, was the amount of explicit sex, foul language and violence. But, at the same time, given its context it does seem quite appropriate within the world built.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Violence, and Death
lordduckian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Blood, Death, Cursing, and War
stormeno's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gore, Ableism, Bullying, Grief, Violence, War, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
spicycronereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
I was worried that it may not live up to the hype, but I really enjoyed this. There were moments when it felt a bit predictable, or maybe it was just really effective foreshadowing. I was surprised by the final twist though. This could have also been impacted by the fact that this book is all over social media so it was impossible not to know how certain things turned out. The worldbuilding felt a little forced at the moments that Violet was reciting facts but otherwise it was cohesive and detailed. The final battle scenes were so action-packed. I could not put it down and sped through the final chapters.
And despite the fact that the plot did not often surprise me, the characters did. I am not disabled and am open to hearing otherwise, but I feel like I recognized the experiences of disabled friends and students in Violet’s development. From people underestimating her, to stifling her through protection, to the way accommodations were handled. But again, I would like to know how someone with similar disabilities felt about it. I also appreciated that she was not the only character with a disability. Violet’s backstory of wanting to be a scribe, and all of the knowledge she has at her command due to her scribe training, feels like a love letter to bookish kids everywhere.
Speaking of love…I would not call this a love triangle. Dain was never even a remote possibility. So horrible right from the start. Xaden is of course the deliciously tortured kind of dark MMC that I adore. When the enemies became lovers I was giggling and smiling. The banter…oh, the banter! 😍
The secondary characters were rich and added depth to the story. I hope we will see more of Rhiannon, Heath, Sawyer, etc in the next book.
The spice builds at a decent pace. And the waiting pays off. I give it 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
Aside from characters with chronic illness or loss of hearing, the book’s characters are described as having a range of skin tones and hair types/textures, suggesting racial diversity. Though this is largely limited to the background characters. Xaden is described as having darker hair and skin so he’s maybe not white? There are bi and non-binary characters as well. Overall the book has a fair amount of diverse representation, with disability representation being the most prominent.
There is some controversy with this author appropriating Scots Gaelic and being pretty careless in a recent interview when asked about it. I removed a half star for that. This is a developing situation and I hope she listens to her fanbase and learns from it (as well as apologizes, of course).
Overall, I enjoyed the characters and Violet’s story arc. The action scenes were well-written and the pacing overall worked well. And I am excited to read the next one in just a few days. I ended up pre-ordering the kindle version despite the fact that I have a hardcover copy on the way. 🤭
And despite the fact that the plot did not often surprise me, the characters did. I am not disabled and am open to hearing otherwise, but I feel like I recognized the experiences of disabled friends and students in Violet’s development. From people underestimating her, to stifling her through protection, to the way accommodations were handled. But again, I would like to know how someone with similar disabilities felt about it.
Spoiler
When Xaden and Tairn made the saddle for her, I cried. Also cried when Tairn shielded her after she had her first kill.Speaking of love…I would not call this a love triangle. Dain was never even a remote possibility. So horrible right from the start. Xaden is of course the deliciously tortured kind of dark MMC that I adore. When the enemies became lovers I was giggling and smiling. The banter…oh, the banter! 😍
The secondary characters were rich and added depth to the story.
Spoiler
I sobbed alone in the dark at 6 in the morning reading Liam’s death sceneThe spice builds at a decent pace. And the waiting pays off.
Spoiler
Right before our hearts are ripped out (even though all the signs were there that this was coming, it still hurt!)Aside from characters with chronic illness or loss of hearing, the book’s characters are described as having a range of skin tones and hair types/textures, suggesting racial diversity. Though this is largely limited to the background characters. Xaden is described as having darker hair and skin so he’s maybe not white? There are bi and non-binary characters as well. Overall the book has a fair amount of diverse representation, with disability representation being the most prominent.
There is some controversy with this author appropriating Scots Gaelic and being pretty careless in a recent interview when asked about it. I removed a half star for that. This is a developing situation and I hope she listens to her fanbase and learns from it (as well as apologizes, of course).
Overall, I enjoyed the characters and Violet’s story arc. The action scenes were well-written and the pacing overall worked well. And I am excited to read the next one in just a few days. I ended up pre-ordering the kindle version despite the fact that I have a hardcover copy on the way. 🤭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Ableism, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Bullying
azaghini99's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: War and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
lakinglaze's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is my most favourite book I’ve ever read now. I just loved every single thing about it. I will forever be completely mad for this world and these characters. Thank you Rebecca Yarros! I can’t wait for all the books to come!! Xaden is the dark Mr. Darcy I never knew I needed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, War, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
questjinx2118's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death and War
laurenandradee's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I expected this book to be more adventure focused whereas it is certainly more romance forward which I still thoroughly enjoyed. Xaden is my shadow zaddy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content