micaelamariem'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Vomit, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, War, Ableism, Blood, Body shaming, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Drug use
mythicalbookshelf'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
I will say the *surprise spoiler* at the end was predictable to anyone who’s entrenched in a fantasy background but it still made me leap up in bed and shout! 5 stars across the board, this is a must read!
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol and Bullying
bitternortherner'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
I'm not even sure if I consider my only complaint a complaint; there is an attempt at LGBTQ representation, and it really fell short- it's a side note of a passing conversation. I would never require all authors to represent identities they are unfamiliar with, that's how you get offensive stereotypes streamlined, right?
While full of feminine power, this story is straight AF.
I listened to this via libro.fm and the narrator was absolutely phenomenal. Her voice is so dynamic and each character has a different, unique, recognizable lilt. She also actually sped up the reading pace during stressful battles, slowed down during introspective bits, and evokes so much emotion. Rebecca Soler deserves a damn award for this reading. I finished all 20 hrs and 45 minutes in a two day period. The final chapter is read by Teddy Hamilton, and while he did a good job, it was jarring for the switch to happen, and I wasn't a big fan of his intonation and representation of our heroine.
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders
katiekeske's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked that the heroine had physical issues to overcome and usually thought things through.
Overall, I couldn't suspend my disbelief about certain things with the world-building. I find it hard to believe a school would be so okay with students killing each other. They are supposed to be training soldiers, but how can you trust people in the future when you've been thinking they will kill you all through school? Plus, rules kept being mentioned about not hurting others or using your powers during training, then a character would. There were never any repercussions for the rule breaking.
Warning for SPOILERS, the twists toward the end just frustrated me. Honesty is really important to me, and my views toward Xaden (and others involved in the secret) took a nosedive. I knew there was going to be a secret he was keeping, so that part wasn't much of a surprise. Then when it happened I just couldn't feel much respect for him. I don't plan on reading any sequels.
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Death, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Violence, Murder, and Vomit
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Death of parent, Blood, Chronic illness, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol
hclin'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Vomit, and Gore
Moderate: Bullying, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol
notsobinaryart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Ableism, Genocide, and War
Minor: Alcohol
zoeelora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Grief, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Blood, Torture, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Medical content, Vomit, Violence, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, War, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Murder
zanazy'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
4.0
Spoiler
As far as characters, Violet is very relatable and Xaden is hot, but you knew he was into her from the first meeting which kills the enemies to lovers angle. We are told he’s the enemy and wants to kill her, but he NEVER gives off that impression. Their ages are adults but Xaden is the oldest at 23, so it’s a NA book. I say this because both get very horny and Violet spends so much time telling the reader how much she wants Xaden that it makes the burn 🔥 both uncomfortable and annoying. The supporting cast is great, but be prepared for deaths like in Divergent. The dragons and fantasy aspect add a lot, but this mystery between the attacks, the rebellion, and history is where this story shines.I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next one, but don’t let the hype raise your expectations to the max as it’s not THAT amazing. Lots of potential to get there though, so my expectations for book 2 are higher. As for the ending, I don’t think it’s a true cliffhanger. It’s more of an abrupt cutoff but no one is hanging off a cliff.
Graphic: Animal death, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Blood, Chronic illness, and Death
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol, Ableism, Body shaming, and Grief
princessrory'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
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Sexual content, Violence, War, Ableism, and Animal death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Vomit
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, War, Sexual content, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, Grief, Genocide, Blood, Torture, Animal death, and Child abuse