archaicgambit's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I have long been a Valente fan and I think this may be her greatest work. Epic yet intimate, subversive yet tender. Valente knows everything about girlhood and monsterhood, I think. The way each tale weaved into the next had me constantly catching my breath. I was a little nervous going into act two but act one comes back into play and there are sapphic pirates. The way the lore of the stars expanded slowly… the references to myths from around the world. Truly a revelation. I know it’s dense and the structure is not for everyone. But it was for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, War, Slavery, Sexism, and Death
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