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mbjem_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The world building is interesting, unique, and compelling enough to be worth reading more about on its own. While I'm not totally endeared to the main characters yet, I did like several of the side characters quite a lot. Hopefully, the sequel will show some real growth for the main characters and make them more likable. At this point, I'm cautiously optimistic about the future and the next books!
Graphic: Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
cdoubet's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
caseythereader'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
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
annorabrady's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Slavery, Police brutality, and Trafficking
anni_swanilda'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: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Self harm and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Abandonment, and War
etherealiz'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? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, and Xenophobia
strawberrytheauthor'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Slavery
Minor: Sexual content
mme_carton'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
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Slavery, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
queer_bookwyrm'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
"But you are kind, Malik Hilali. Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours."
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown is an excellent YA fantasy set in a West African inspired setting. I devoured this book. I wish I had this book when I was in high school.
We follow two MCs whose pov alternates with each chapter. Malik, an Eshran boy with anxiety is trying to get into the city of Ziran with his sister's when he unwittingly makes a deal with a spirit names Idir, and is dragged into a game in order to save his younger sister. Karina, the princess of Ziran is a bit of an impetuous brat who has no motivation to rule, suffers from migraines and ends up having to take her mother's place sooner than she thought. Both are of their destinies are connected, but they are trying to kill each other.
This is classic hero's journey with enemies to lovers slow burn. I really liked the magic system in this, but I hope we get to explore it more in the next book. I loved how the author weaved in an element of oral storytelling and the power it can have. We also get representation of anxiety and panic attacks along with it actually becoming the thing that helps him in the end.
I loved the descriptions in this! I could practically smell the spices and see all the colors of Solsatcia! The writing was a joy to read. It was like Brown was weaving her own illusions, just like Malik.
I liked the way the MC's stories tied together and there were twists I didn't see coming. Some things were a little predictable, but I didn't mind. I did find Karina to be annoying for a good chunk of the book, because she was being very stubborn, short sighted, and selfish until she finally got it together. I'm looking forward to seeing how each of their magic grows as Malik and Karina learn how to use it.
Graphic: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
Moderate: Child abuse, Slavery, Violence, and Death of parent
vashtanarada42'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
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting