fossilreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's a bit of a tough read with all the violence towards children and minors, but I also understand how it added to the plot and is meant to show the horrors of war and how awful the kaiser and the invaders are.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns, they didn't feel too far fetched and were honestly believable. A lot of the things that surprised Theo were things I can believe everyone around her sheltering her from.
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Child abuse
Moderate: Genocide, War, Xenophobia, Slavery, Physical abuse, and Murder
saara_ilona_muu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Confinement, Colonisation, Murder, Genocide, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Slavery, Infidelity, Blood, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Classism, Violence, Torture, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
hapalyn'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
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Vomit, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
mygvrses'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Genocide, Torture, War, and Violence
Minor: Rape
onefineelephant'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
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Chronic illness, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, War, Body horror, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Child abuse, Colonisation, Confinement, Genocide, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Mental illness
steffandbooks'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
4.0
Spoiler
I wasn’t prepared for this book to be so dark. There’s a lot of violence, death, torture throughout the entire book. Perhaps I only forgot that YA fantasy books tend to be like adult ones, just that the age difference makes so much more violent for me. I understand why Theodosia is acting the way she acts, but I also hate that she doesn’t choose the villain. Although, many wouldn’t put Prinz Søren as the villain, I think he is. Blaise certainly has a violent streak as well, however, he’s being seen as the hero, the one who does everything for his country, for his queen. We don’t get much background information on him in the beginning, so I‘m kinda mad that she chooses him over and over again because they apparently share some childhood crush and many memories. In the end, I can imagine that he might die because it’s clear that he’s mine-mad and might turn into one of those berserkers everyone fears. But it’s only the first book, it might not become the truth. At the same time, I have a feeling that we don’t get a happy ending with this. Theo might get her kingdom back, but I fear that she will be alone by that time. I don’t like Art very much at this point and Heron is too quiet for my liking and we haven’t had much interaction with him in this first book.After all, it’s a good book. I tend to say that YA fantasy books have the best stories. Astrea and the world it’s in is remarkable and I haven’t read anything like it before. Some parts did remind me of the World Wars, Germany trying to overtake everything the Kalovaxians being the Germans in this scenario, although they mostly have Scandinavian names and look like that as well, pale, with blond hair and blue eyes.
The thing, though, I usually can’t wrap my head around anymore is the age. They are barely adults - 16 years old only - and you want to tell me that they have to act all tough and rose because the adults left can’t do it? No, that’s why YA books aren’t that appealing to me anymore, good story or not.
Spoiler
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic friendship, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Genocide, Rape, and Vomit
capucapulet's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Slavery
nana_7'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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
jojo_'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Genocide, Murder, Slavery, Torture, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Cultural appropriation
sagelinae's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Slavery, Blood, and Genocide
Minor: Rape