briannagriffin567's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Chronic illness, and Violence
strangerdanger2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Sexual content, Violence, Chronic illness, Death, Murder, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
erynlasbelin's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book sorely needed an editor. And maybe a cowriter. Someone to shape the overall ideas of the story into something coherent. But at the very, very least, a strong editing pass.
The writing was clunky and repetitive, the author used words whose meanings she clearly didn't understand, and the logistics of what was supposed to be physically happening (especially during battle scenes) were often difficult to follow. The smut wasn't bad, but was outweighed by the endless stream of horny thoughts every single time the two main characters interacted with each other, even when they're supposed to be in dire circumstances or experiencing emotional devastation. The worldbuilding was weak as fuck and seemed to be made up on the spot throughout the book. The way the "war college" works doesn't stand up to even the slightest amount of scrutiny - why would they want to relentlessly kill off all their able-bodied young soldiers when they're at war? Luckily, given the death toll, other than maybe 3 of the main characters, no one has a personality at all; best friends, squad mates, teachers, and family members are basically cardboard cutouts with little to no identity. And while Violet herself is the best-developed of the bunch, it has to be said that her motivations simply aren't there. Other than ~proving people wrong~ once she's there, there is no explanation for why she would commit herself to fighting herself into a violent and early death, when she's given multiple opportunities to go back to the life she always wanted and planned for. She never thinks about the future at all.
All that being said, it was a quick read, and I do wonder where the story is going next. Future books could be good pulp romantasy fun if given the kind of editing they need. My one bit of praise is that I appreciate the hEDS representation, and that she receives accommodations for it. I have literally never seen this aspect of myself reflected in a book before (although I know of another one coming out soon!) and that element was genuinely well done.
The writing was clunky and repetitive, the author used words whose meanings she clearly didn't understand, and the logistics of what was supposed to be physically happening (especially during battle scenes) were often difficult to follow. The smut wasn't bad, but was outweighed by the endless stream of horny thoughts every single time the two main characters interacted with each other, even when they're supposed to be in dire circumstances or experiencing emotional devastation. The worldbuilding was weak as fuck and seemed to be made up on the spot throughout the book. The way the "war college" works doesn't stand up to even the slightest amount of scrutiny - why would they want to relentlessly kill off all their able-bodied young soldiers when they're at war? Luckily, given the death toll, other than maybe 3 of the main characters, no one has a personality at all; best friends, squad mates, teachers, and family members are basically cardboard cutouts with little to no identity. And while Violet herself is the best-developed of the bunch, it has to be said that her motivations simply aren't there. Other than ~proving people wrong~ once she's there, there is no explanation for why she would commit herself to fighting herself into a violent and early death, when she's given multiple opportunities to go back to the life she always wanted and planned for. She never thinks about the future at all.
All that being said, it was a quick read, and I do wonder where the story is going next. Future books could be good pulp romantasy fun if given the kind of editing they need. My one bit of praise is that I appreciate the hEDS representation, and that she receives accommodations for it. I have literally never seen this aspect of myself reflected in a book before (although I know of another one coming out soon!) and that element was genuinely well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Medical content, Murder, Chronic illness, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, War, Animal death, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Terminal illness
lizsurber's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, War, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Ableism, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Body horror, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Torture, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
kakuloo's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was a sexy drama that had some dragons in it, but I prefer world-built dragon fantasy that has just a little romance in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Chronic illness, Bullying, Physical abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, War, Vomit, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Blood
18+ sexy descriptions of people enjoying sex. Graphic, rather than implied.amandaboyer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Medical trauma, Medical content, Chronic illness, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Sexual content, Body horror, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Ableism
b0r3d_2710_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“Thank you, Liam. Thank you for being my shadow. Thank you for being my friend.” He blurs in my
vision as the tears come faster.
“It’s been. My honor.” Liam’s chest rattles as his lungs struggle.
Tell me Mrs Yarros, did you have to kill him? Was that necessary? Was it required to kill such a sweet character? Why do authors make a character so likeable only to have them killed later on like :,)
The pacing is good! There really weren't any slow moments. The author does a good job in keeping you at your toes but honestly, I predicted a lot of things before they were revealed. I knew that Xaden and his group were aiding the "enemies". I also had suspicions that Brennan was alive.
“I’m not dying,” Dylan says with way more confidence than I feel as he tugs a necklace from under his tunic to reveal a ring dangling from the chain.
Ever since I read that, I just knew that he was gonna die.
The world building was not great. A lot of things weren't explained properly. Why are the youngsters going to war college to train for the war? What is this war exactly? What is the politics of this world? Who exactly are the two sides? How exactly are they getting their powers?
We are given the information at really inconvenient and random moments, so the book does feel like info-dumpy but the thing is it isn't really giving much information. Does that make sense at all? That recitation of information while walking on the Parapet and being threatened by another felt really hilarious to me. I don't know if it was supposed to be that way but it was like that for me.
I was really confused about the history of events and I feel like the politics, the war and the exact reason why the war among rebels and the Navarre people was fought will be discussed in the upcoming books. Atleast that's what I hope.
I liked the main character. She wasn't annoying and miserable but actually fun to read. She was not a pick-me like so many YA/NA fantasy. I liked the fact that the main character wasn't portrayed as weak just because she was "tiny" but because she actually has a chronic condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It really felt like the disability affected her instead of it being just thrown in the book to show her as an underdog.
But Xaden. Tell me, why does every other "bad guy" male lead in these fantasy series all looks the same?? But he was a nice character who was technically right all the time. He was a decent wingleader and gave great advices and suggestions and encouraged Violet unlike Dain. He also had a really valid reason to keep secrets from her and not tell her things. I really liked his character because he's actually really smart.
I liked the main character. She wasn't annoying and miserable but actually fun to read. She was not a pick-me like so many YA/NA fantasy. I liked the fact that the main character wasn't portrayed as weak just because she was "tiny" but because she actually has a chronic condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It really felt like the disability affected her instead of it being just thrown in the book to show her as an underdog.
But Xaden. Tell me, why does every other "bad guy" male lead in these fantasy series all looks the same?? But he was a nice character who was technically right all the time. He was a decent wingleader and gave great advices and suggestions and encouraged Violet unlike Dain. He also had a really valid reason to keep secrets from her and not tell her things. I really liked his character because he's actually really smart.
“You’re not listening.” His voice lowers. “I. Am. Here. Tairn didn’t drag her back to Basgiath. He didn’t break through her shields and pour his emotions into her. He didn’t demand she fly across the fucking kingdom.
Your sister is still right here. I’m the one who left my post, my position, and my executive officer in charge of my wing. She’s not missing out on shit.”
He's so right here.
“She is not a child. She’s a full-grown woman. A rider. Start treating her like one and at least have the decency to give her the truth. You think Melgren or any other general—to include her own mother—is going to let her sit on a power like this? It’s not like she can hide it, not the way she just demolished one of the practice forts.”
“By defeating invading armies before they get the chance to hurt civilians. You want to keep Rhiannon’s nephew alive in that little border village? This is how. You want to keep Mira alive when she’s behind enemy lines? This. Is. How. You are not just a weapon, Sorrengail. You are the weapon. You train this ability, own it, and you’ll have the power to defend an entire kingdom.” He smooths back more wind-loosened tendrils of my hair behind my ears, clearing my vision so I have no excuse but to see the honesty in his eyes.
I really liked Xaden here. He never babied her, nor did he ever stop her from reaching her actual potential.
Also,I know that Dain wanted to protect Violet but it's really annoying that he always wanted to transfer her to the Scribe Quadrant. Actually, he's just really annoying as a person and according to me, he’s the one who "betrayed" Violet by looking into her memories without her knowing instead of Xaden who had legitimate reasons to keep things from her. Was this really a love triangle? Like tell me honestly, did anyone ever really like Dain?
Rhiannon was a good character as well. I love to see female friendships in novels that are hella genuine and relatable. Their dynamic was really entertaining to read but I must say that some of the jokes weren't timed aptly. Why are they making sexual innuendos just after it was announced that their classmates died?
Also,I know that Dain wanted to protect Violet but it's really annoying that he always wanted to transfer her to the Scribe Quadrant. Actually, he's just really annoying as a person and according to me, he’s the one who "betrayed" Violet by looking into her memories without her knowing instead of Xaden who had legitimate reasons to keep things from her. Was this really a love triangle? Like tell me honestly, did anyone ever really like Dain?
Rhiannon was a good character as well. I love to see female friendships in novels that are hella genuine and relatable. Their dynamic was really entertaining to read but I must say that some of the jokes weren't timed aptly. Why are they making sexual innuendos just after it was announced that their classmates died?
“That is…” Rhiannon murmurs beside me.
“It sure is,” I agree.
“Stop objectifying our wingleader,” Liam teases.
“Is that what we’re doing?” Rhiannon asks, not bothering to look away.
My mouth waters at the muscled expanse of his back and that sculpted ass. “Yeah, I think that’s what we’re doing.”
That was funny not gonna lie.
At times, the dialogues were a bit corny to me. I was kinda weirded out by the dick jokes in the literal beginning of the book when there was supposed to be a serious situation as Violet could be dead in the next few hours. Things like these could be find a lot of times all throughout the book. Also, a lot of things and rules in the Basgiath College seemed impractical to me. Why were the cadets literally allowed to kill each other except when the victim is sleeping? Jack literally killed a cadet on the first day I guess and he faced no repurcussions for that. Why are the cadets forced to die while walking the parapet when you could have just installed a net or used someone with a power that could've saved those fallen. I mean why was there the need to die? They could've just been disqualified and sent to other quadrants, right?
Every person who was a part of the rebellion in the past were murdered and their children were put into the military. Now I wanna know what was their logical thought process behind making this decision because they are literally giving them access to military information and well, DRAGONS! How is that a good idea because they are literally given the chance to start another rebellion!
Also how did Violet never get caught while poisoning her opponents? The author should have either shown the way she was poisoning them or atleast she should have gotten caught once. But no, she was perfect at it except Xaden finding out about that behind the scenes.
I loved the dragons in this novel. Tairn was sassy and sarcastic and well my favourite character to be honest. Andarna was really sweet and I don't know how to describe my opinion about Sgaeyl but her personality screamed "boss".
At times, the dialogues were a bit corny to me. I was kinda weirded out by the dick jokes in the literal beginning of the book when there was supposed to be a serious situation as Violet could be dead in the next few hours. Things like these could be find a lot of times all throughout the book. Also, a lot of things and rules in the Basgiath College seemed impractical to me. Why were the cadets literally allowed to kill each other except when the victim is sleeping? Jack literally killed a cadet on the first day I guess and he faced no repurcussions for that. Why are the cadets forced to die while walking the parapet when you could have just installed a net or used someone with a power that could've saved those fallen. I mean why was there the need to die? They could've just been disqualified and sent to other quadrants, right?
Every person who was a part of the rebellion in the past were murdered and their children were put into the military. Now I wanna know what was their logical thought process behind making this decision because they are literally giving them access to military information and well, DRAGONS! How is that a good idea because they are literally given the chance to start another rebellion!
Also how did Violet never get caught while poisoning her opponents? The author should have either shown the way she was poisoning them or atleast she should have gotten caught once. But no, she was perfect at it except Xaden finding out about that behind the scenes.
I loved the dragons in this novel. Tairn was sassy and sarcastic and well my favourite character to be honest. Andarna was really sweet and I don't know how to describe my opinion about Sgaeyl but her personality screamed "boss".
“You’re making us look bad. Stop it.”
“Now get in the seat and actually hold on this time, or no one is going to believe that I’ve actually chosen you,” he growls.
“Please, do tell me more about what I should value.”Sarcasm drips from his tone.
“You’re worthy. At least I think you are, but you apparently don’t pay attention in class.” He chuffs and a warm puff of steam blasts the back of my neck.
“They’re accommodations for me. I’ve seen your memories. I’m not about to have you sticking daggers into my leg to climb up. Now let’s go.”
“Annoys you?” Tairn chuckles above me, the sound like a chuffing cat.
“Is that what you call it when your heart rate—”
“Tairn says if you harm me, he’ll burn you,” I say as dragons to the left and right launch skyward without their riders, headed back to the Vale. But not Tairn. Nope, he’s still standing behind me like an overprotective dad.
“Should I get the wingleader?” Tairn flat-out laughs in my head.
I just love Tairn!
But speaking about the Romance...
I'm not really a fan of sexual things in novels so those scenes weren't appealing to me but I must say that the angst and the tension was great. Violet being a simp was kinda relatable and funny but ever since their first kiss, the novel kinda shifted to show the Romance plot more which I didn't like. See, Romance is good but too much of it just feels unnecessary and at times, cringy, to me. I really did not care about the romance. To be honest, if we had more of the dragons and less of the romance, I would have enjoyed this a lot more.
For a romantasy novel it is required that the characters should be entertaining and romance should be the focus while there isn't a necessity to have one of the best world buildings that exist in the Fantasy genre. So, considering and reading this book from a Romantasy point of view, I was definitely entertained and liked the characters although Romance felt a bit like insta love even though it happened slow. This book is great for those who have never read Fantasy before and wants an introduction to the genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Death, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
lakinglaze's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This is my most favourite book I’ve ever read now. I just loved every single thing about it. I will forever be completely mad for this world and these characters. Thank you Rebecca Yarros! I can’t wait for all the books to come!! Xaden is the dark Mr. Darcy I never knew I needed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, War, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
gphemsley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Vomit, War, Sexual content, Blood, Chronic illness, Genocide, Classism, Gore, Cursing, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, Medical trauma, and Violence
barocap001's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Animal death, Chronic illness, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Grief, Child death, Ableism, and Death of parent