kaseythefairy'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
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Body horror, Death of parent, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
Minor: Abandonment and Classism
normanrockwell7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, Gun violence, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism and Injury/Injury detail
rayreyes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It slowed all the way down and then threw a curveball that I saw coming and expected me to care. Maybe the author needed more time than the deadline allowed to flesh out the end like the rest of the book. She’s an incredible writer so I’m not done with her works yet. But jeez did that pacing shift and sudden story arc shift impact the ride.
Graphic: Death of parent and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Kidnapping, Stalking, Abandonment, and Violence
louhide'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Abandonment and Injury/Injury detail
kutub_qahwa's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: War, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Blood, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
rachelshubin'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? It's complicated
5.0
I cannot wait for the sequel!
Graphic: War
Moderate: Vomit, Abandonment, and Death of parent
misskitty14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
The characters are fun and multi-layered, though I do find the romance to feel a little forced. We just accept that they have fallen in love with each other though I'm not sure if I believe their intensity. I definitely identified with Iris, specifically her struggle to start her life on her own terms. Roman is, IMO, more fun and interesting when he challenges Iris. This might be why I was a little less excited about their relationship towards the end.
I suppose I'm most disappointed in the lack of world-building. I love the idea of the novel taking place in an alternate version of the 1910s/1920s, but rather than weaving the magic throughout the world Ross sort of inserts it (it's a difference between telling and showing). The general plot is not new, so I was expecting the author to lean more heavily into the fantasy aspects. Based on the book's ending, I am hopeful that the sequel (spoiler?) will expand on the world-building.
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Alcoholism, War, Death, and Abandonment
nebraskanwriter'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: Vomit, Alcohol, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Blood, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Cursing, Death of parent, War, Death, Car accident, Classism, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
mushroomfrog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, War, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Abandonment, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
lizzye33'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, War, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit, Violence, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Gun violence, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Genocide
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Child death, Confinement, Abandonment, and Car accident