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vanessaedwards1882's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
readwithria'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book! I read most of it in one day, and it was hard to put down and very easy to pick back up again.
That being said, I’m not sure that it’s as plot heavy as it’s advertised. It’s definitely *story* heavy, but Diem doesn’t have any strong goals that she works toward throughout the book. This felt like a lot of exposition, and that’s fine since it’s the first book in a four book series, but I wanted her to have a little more agency.
I will definitely be continuing with this series! 4 stars!
Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC and the opportunity to share an honest, voluntary review.
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism and Classism
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
brenna199x's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
FMC is a bit annoying on the beginning but at the 60% it gets better and her decision makes more sense and it fits her personality more. I think the trick in understanding her decisions is to see her as a sheltered child trying to make her own way in the world and just getting slapped by life.
MMC ist amazing, love Luther no more to say.
The book itself could be at least a 100 pages shorter. Especially begging was very very slow could have been a bit shortened at around 50% things starts to move forward.
If you pick up this book and its struggling in continuing or you are feeling put down by some reviews just pass the 60% mark it gets better I promise.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
iamsammie27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
sandse2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
naluminum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Honestly I felt that Diem was not the main character this story needed. Her actions are often rash and other characters, such as her childhood love interest, imply many times that she is ignorant to how her world works. As a consequence Diem is a force of chaos, disrupting the lives of the mortals just trying to survive and the Descended prince who was the last person to see her mother before she disappeared. And of course the ruthless prince wants to protect her as soon as he meets her, no matter how suspicious and standoffish Diem behaves towards him (mostly her personality, but also involvement with a rebel group). I will read the sequel because I’m intrigued by this MC who entirely overdramatic and I hope to see her mature or fail at embracing her heritage.
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
dkgreads'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a pretty decent romantasy. The world building was good, yet a little inconsistent. The concept of the plot isn't super original, but kept me interested. There were a lot of common plot devices used in this book - divided society, imbalance of power, secret rebel group, secretly powerful FMC, etc...
There is a lot of this discussion about the injustice of a divided society where one side has all the power and the other has none. Diem struggles between her oath to do no harm as a healer and her rage at the treatment of her people.
Diem is a very frustrating character. She is extremely reckless and doesn't think about the consequences of her actions.
Henri is a character similar to many others in this genre. I didn't have a great feeling about him from the begining. He is Diem's childhood best friends and wants to marry her.
I had mixed feelings about the second half of the book. I felt like it was too rushed. The romance was not set up well. As the author attempts to speed up the plot line, we miss out on all the buildup and angst of a slow burn. She really needed to spend more time developing the romance for it to make sense and for us to be invested.
I don't have much of an option of Luther yet, as his character was barely developed in this book. He went from casual conversations with Diem to being wildly protective of her for no reason that was explained.
Tropes: enemies to potential lovers, childhood friends to lovers, slow burn
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
one_more_chapter96'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
5.0
The romance subplot is great and just enough to keep you interested without taking over the story. I think there are a lot of questions unanswered but hinted at.
Beautifully written and so easy to read - finished it within a day.
Excited for more in this series, a great new fantasy romance find.
Moderate: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Sexual assault, Blood, Abandonment, and War
hapalyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The world is interesting, and I find it to be very intriguing. I like the way the land is, and I think there's a lot more than meets the eye with this series. That being said, it wasn't a 5 star purely because of the STRESS I was stressing while reading. Personal preference, I just like less of the angst there, but I will continue reading.
Also Henri is so insufferable, and I can't stand him. Diem is an amazing character, yet she's so easily persuaded, which I hope to see her grow out of. Rooting for her and Luther.. but also Teller and Lily. Something tells me though that there's going to be a long, slow burn for our main heroine.
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and War