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nikkimouse_16's review against another edition
3.0
- The main male character describes a female character as “well made”
- Karou describes herself as a door at one point
Meh book. I can tell the author is incredibly talented, but this book was cringey sometimes. Loved the descriptions of Prague and everything leading up to Akiva coming into her apartment. Good plot twist.
- Karou describes herself as a door at one point
Meh book. I can tell the author is incredibly talented, but this book was cringey sometimes. Loved the descriptions of Prague and everything leading up to Akiva coming into her apartment. Good plot twist.
jesspeachee's review against another edition
5.0
So yeah, the first like five chapters were sooooo dull I was begining to think i wasn't going to finish it. But I'm glad I did. It was an amazing book. Star-crossed lovers and demons chimaera and angels seraphim. Karou and Akiva's relationship is so racked with hardships. But I love love loved the book. Can't wait to get my hands on the next.
mvasso's review against another edition
3.0
In some ways, Karou is a normal teenager. She loves drawing and hanging out with her best friend at their favorite coffee shop. But Karou has secrets, secrets that make her quite different from her friends. Like how she speaks many languages--not all of the human. How her blue hair is not dyed--it actually grows out of her head that way. And, most crazy of all, how her guardian is actually a demon who sends her on errands all over the globe. Like other teens, Karou is trying to figure out who she is. In her case, though, it's in more of the literal sense. Where did she come from? What is the purpose of her unusual powers? She's not an angel and she's not a demon, so what is she? These questions become even more urgent as a war stirs in the supernatural world. The arrival of a beautiful, haunted Akiva makes things even more complicated--especially when it becomes clear that he's on the other side of the conflict.
I really got into this book. There's something engrossing about the mysterious, nothing-what-it-seems world that Karou lives in. I had trouble following parts of this story--there's a lot of jumping around and not enough explanation about some things as I would like. Since it's part of a series, though, I don't hold that against it too much. I was somewhat annoyed by the romance aspect of the story. I'm not a fan of the star-crossed lovers thing, so I didn't really care whether Karou and Akiva got together. I do, however, love Karou; she's complicated, curious, and strong, which makes for a fascinating character I can root for. I also like how the book mixes up traditional ideas about good guys and bad guys--in this case, both the angels and the demons have positive and negative qualities. That, combined with the intriguing setting, sets up a series that I look forward to finishing.
I really got into this book. There's something engrossing about the mysterious, nothing-what-it-seems world that Karou lives in. I had trouble following parts of this story--there's a lot of jumping around and not enough explanation about some things as I would like. Since it's part of a series, though, I don't hold that against it too much. I was somewhat annoyed by the romance aspect of the story. I'm not a fan of the star-crossed lovers thing, so I didn't really care whether Karou and Akiva got together. I do, however, love Karou; she's complicated, curious, and strong, which makes for a fascinating character I can root for. I also like how the book mixes up traditional ideas about good guys and bad guys--in this case, both the angels and the demons have positive and negative qualities. That, combined with the intriguing setting, sets up a series that I look forward to finishing.
starcangel's review against another edition
3.0
I think I've outgrown the whole eternal love thing, but the world has piqued my interest to continue...or maybe if it was a gay couple .........
juliaem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
Found this in the library of the old-fashioned hot springs resort I was at for a family reunion (Capon Springs, WV! Can't recommend it enough!). Interesting to read a pretty early precursor to the current rash of romantasy (of which I've read plenty). I liked the world-building, found the plot propulsive, and was an overall fan. I don't love "we connected in past life/past versions of ourselves" trope particularly, so it'll be interesting to see how that plays out. I'm not rushing to finish the trilogy, but am at least curious about the sequel eventually.
clairecalderwood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
rachthefletch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ilikereadingiguess's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the writing style and setting. Hoping the focuse will be more on that in the next book than the romance lol
laurenbookishtwins's review against another edition
5.0
This was really good, like really good, and I found it hard to put it down. The writing is beautifully descriptive, and it just flows - the words are truly captivating. The world that Laini had created with the seraphs and the chimaeras was unique and beautiful - not to mention, the descriptions of the places she visited. Prague is on my to-visit list. It was hard to distinguish who were the bad guys and the good guys, and I think I felt more sympathy to the chimaeras, despite appearing (to an extent) to be the bad guys. Everything about this book was just beautiful, including the characters, who had so much depth you just couldn't help caring about them. My favourite would have to be Karou - she just had so many likeable qualities and she is certainly one my favourite female characters. She can stand up for herself, she has deep loyalty and love towards those she has known as her family for he whole life, and it was just great to watch her develop. She has this vulnerability about her, but strength aswell - not to mention, she has blue hair! Akiva was hauntingly captivating, and you couldn't help liking him, and his love for Karou. Their relationship development, though seemingly rushed, is well thought out and executed, and basically the premise of the book, with the plot going around their love for each other. There is such great detail about the characters (Brimstone, Issa etc. etc.) and about the world they live in. Just beautiful. Seriously recommend.