esterslibrary's review against another edition
- 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: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, and Vomit
sweetordinary'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The political courtship navigation is a huge reason why I was intrigued to read this story. How Theodosia navigates it is quite painful to read let alone to follow along. I understand that I'm supposed to feel sympathy for her and rally behind her. However, there are events that occur which completely go off the rails because of her. Thus, my interests shift towards Blaise, Cress, Art, Heron, and Soren as more interesting lines of inquiry. I want to know more about their story, interests, personality, etc.
If I decide to read the sequel, it will be because of those characters not because of Theodosia.
Graphic: Gore, Classism, Violence, Body horror, Blood, Grief, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Child abuse, Child death, Toxic friendship, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, War, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Violence, Torture, Rape, Physical abuse, Cultural appropriation, and Murder
rinku'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? It's complicated
3.5
Spoiler
kill her dadSpoiler
Elpis sacrificing herselfSpoiler
the main character almost having to marry an older man, or the masquerade ball. It was furthermore so predictable that Theo wouldn’t kill Søren and that her plan with the poison would fail as wellSpoiler
it was obvious from the beginning that she couldn’t be trusted but my heart still dropped when she revealed Theo that she knew everything about her. She could be an interesting villain in the following booksGraphic: Blood, Confinement, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Cultural appropriation, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, War, Fatphobia, and Vomit
Minor: Rape and Abandonment
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
majumita's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Vomit, Torture, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Murder, Death of parent, and Slavery
Moderate: Kidnapping
bzliz's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Readers should beware that any glimpses of hope are few and far between as Theo plays a game she barely knows the rules to while everyone else wins by cheating. Like so many YA series, there are two more books so it’s not surprising truly how little is accomplished in this one. My biggest complaint is the same I have with so many other similar books- these characters fall in love so easily for no reason at all! I know the romance is a big draw for readers but it would be nice to see some of these protagonists stand on their own.
Graphic: Murder, Sexual harassment, Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Torture, Blood, Physical abuse, War, Child abuse, Slavery, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Death
whatischellereading'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
4.5
I loved the story as we find ourselves introduced to Thora as she lives in the palace with the king who invaded her kingdom. She lives as a plaything for him to humiliate so straight out the gate you hate the king (the Kaiser) and are whole-heartedly rooting for Thora.
The story is so tense all the way through - as soon as you think there is some reprieve, in comes another scene that gets your pulse racing.
I really liked the development between Thora and Soren and I'm interested to see how this develops in book 2, Lady Smoke. All the characters are compelling and you do develop strong emotions for all of them, whether it be love or hatred.
Marking this down by half a star due to the level of brutality in some scenes. It actually made my anxiety disorder rise and I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy that part of the story.
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Death
Minor: Rape
emjen16'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? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Vomit, and War
robin_leeann's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: War, Violence, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery and Death of parent
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