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ka_cam'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
kathi_kathi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Blood
josisteacup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
sassmistress's review against another edition
4.25
I really enjoyed this read for myself, except for the occasional annoying content concern. It was unique and exciting, with some funny turns. The (adult, female, competent professional) MC loves her books and tea, but bravely faces adventure for her beloved Library, the collector of important works of literature from countless alternate dimensions. This does sometimes involve burgling the book in question.
This book draws inspiration from detective fiction, steampunk (/magic punk?), Fae lore, and a little of that Douglas Adams wit. We've got airships and stagecoaches juxtaposed with werewolves and glamour and eldritch horror. And also cybernetic alligators 😂 Such things are the result of a world falling prey to the forces of chaos.
Nonstop action, fantastic magic system, terrifying bad guys. To avoid spoilers, I'll be really vague here, but the book climaxes with some spot on, breathtaking imagery of the ultimate fate of evil.
Lots of magic,and I'm a sucker for a good magic system. The Librarians use The Language to make things happen (with limitations, if you can tell the object to do something in the Language, it'll happen. They have to study vocab regularly). Fae are universally bad and use chaos magic. The two are incompatible. Tech imbued with magic in this world, that part's pretty vague.
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Car accident, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexism, and Medical content
Sexual content: (fairly quick, minor for adult sensibilities, and earlier in the book): - Fae attempt to seduce the MC. "[the smile] was inviting, somehow suggesting darkness and candlelight and closeness, a catch in the breath, a warm hand in hers, a pressure against her body..." And she shakes it off. More murmuring close to lips, description trying to sound enchanting. - Work partner invites the MC to sleep with him. She declines because there's work to do and he's "not her type". Which, apparently, is "darkly dangerous, of dubious morality." Both brag in vague terms about their sexual prowess. Later ogles his fancy outfit and wonders whether she regrets declining. - MC is bisexual, not central to the plot but it comes up several times. Brief consideration of "which way" a potential antagonist "swings", passing thought about using the intern as a honeypot, and several oblique references to the MC's past fling with another woman. - One or two other instances of passionate admiration, steamy but not very spicy visual appreciation, calls him "intoxicating" for being unguarded 🙄 - Later, just attempts by the MC to avoid showing too much leg while maneuvering in her long skirt. Spiritual content: - "It was at times like this that Irene really wished she believed in prayer." - "There was something fascinating about the pure, focused dedication that [her mentee] gave the caviar: it seemed to somehow elevate the little black grains into something holy, even divine. ".... Other: - Gory descriptions of burnt skin, oozing wounds, exposed bone, the scene of a beheading, and the bad guy skinned a person and used it as a disguise. They found the skin and it's highlighted as gruesome. - Discarded cigars and cigarettes in the aftermath of a party. - Sinking vehicle trigger:philosopher_kj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Alcohol
gianicroe'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
3.0
I love the premise and hope the series gets better as it could be very interesting.
Minor: Body horror
abbey_ford's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
blamelucy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Obviously, as a reader, love the concept at the story's core and as a female reader love the sarcastic capable female protagonist in charge.
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Murder
mattiedancer'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
4.75
- Fans of fantasy mixed with sci-fi
- Fans of complex fantasy worlds
- Fans of characters who love (or live in) academia
- Lovers of books and fantasy novels
- Someone looking for a new, unique read and isn’t afraid of a complex world state.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexual content
fakress'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: Body horror and Gore