nicoleterego's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Right off the bat, yep it's a discount Six of Crows. But, I don't mind the similarities. In fact, I really want the book to work. The magic system is unique. The characters have potential. I like the heist plot and the found family trope. But it just lacks something.
Too much telling, not enough showing. Severin frustrates me because he was supposed to be the leader of the group but the book doesn't show it. Every pov he gets, he just thirst over Laila and think about his worries for the team, revenge, etc etc. but I did not see him actually doing something about it.
On the other hand, Laila, Enqrique, Hypnos, and Sofia are okay, I like them as characters. I love their dynamic and quirks. I just wish we could've seen how they grew close with each other. I felt like the readers were thrown into their dynamic without any backstory on what they went through together to be a solid group. That's why even if Tristan died at the end, I didn't really feel much. I never get to see how the characters grew to love him and what is it that I should be sad about his death. The dead birds also confused me. I think it should've been a big revelation but then I don't know him that much so it didn't have the impact the author expected to have on the readers (or maybe that's just me). There was no setup to his betrayal. Sophia has the greatest potential but I don't understand what the author wants to achieve with her love triangle with Enrique and Hypnos. Why did she revert back to her old self just because she saw them kiss? Like??? Her infatuation for Enrique shouldn't be the only reason for her to grow as a character. Also, am I the only one who thinks she has neurodivergent traits?
There was so much going on and yet nothing at all. Their plans are told and are already in place instead of us being let on the process of them finding their way to achieve something. That's why the stakes didn't feel real.
The magic system. I finished the book and I still can't understand how Forging works. 😭 LMAO. There's so many words thrown around that the author expects the readers to just understand. The name of the devices and substances just fly around without being explained. I couldn't connect with the world and the magic. It also didn't help that I just finished the mistborn trilogy and I kept comparing the way brandon sanderson wrote the magic system there.
On the bright side, I really love the Filipino representation. It's refreshing to see my own nationality being represented. Add to the fact that I love Enrique's character (him and Sophia was my fave). I like what the author wants to convey. What they dream of writing about and I'm so on board with it.
Overall, ambitious plot and great ideas but lacks proper execution. I hope the next book is better.
Too much telling, not enough showing. Severin frustrates me because he was supposed to be the leader of the group but the book doesn't show it. Every pov he gets, he just thirst over Laila and think about his worries for the team, revenge, etc etc. but I did not see him actually doing something about it.
Spoiler
If anything, his actions are always questionable (examples: him not being able to recognize a trap twice, ignoring Tristan, rejecting Laila at the end when the book built up for their romance over and over during the whole book? that was so annoying). There were also throw-away scenes like when he went to feed Goliat but ended up AGAIN, pining for Laila. We didn't even get to see about Tristan's pet anymore. I like the idea of the members learning to like Goliath overtime, you know.On the other hand, Laila, Enqrique, Hypnos, and Sofia are okay, I like them as characters. I love their dynamic and quirks. I just wish we could've seen how they grew close with each other. I felt like the readers were thrown into their dynamic without any backstory on what they went through together to be a solid group. That's why even if Tristan died at the end, I didn't really feel much. I never get to see how the characters grew to love him and what is it that I should be sad about his death. The dead birds also confused me. I think it should've been a big revelation but then I don't know him that much so it didn't have the impact the author expected to have on the readers (or maybe that's just me). There was no setup to his betrayal. Sophia has the greatest potential but I don't understand what the author wants to achieve with her love triangle with Enrique and Hypnos. Why did she revert back to her old self just because she saw them kiss? Like??? Her infatuation for Enrique shouldn't be the only reason for her to grow as a character. Also, am I the only one who thinks she has neurodivergent traits?
There was so much going on and yet nothing at all. Their plans are told and are already in place instead of us being let on the process of them finding their way to achieve something. That's why the stakes didn't feel real.
The magic system. I finished the book and I still can't understand how Forging works. 😭 LMAO. There's so many words thrown around that the author expects the readers to just understand. The name of the devices and substances just fly around without being explained. I couldn't connect with the world and the magic. It also didn't help that I just finished the mistborn trilogy and I kept comparing the way brandon sanderson wrote the magic system there.
On the bright side, I really love the Filipino representation. It's refreshing to see my own nationality being represented. Add to the fact that I love Enrique's character (him and Sophia was my fave). I like what the author wants to convey. What they dream of writing about and I'm so on board with it.
Overall, ambitious plot and great ideas but lacks proper execution. I hope the next book is better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Abandonment
mitzee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
Really liked the story and the cast of characters. Into the idea of an beautiful Indian lead, someone who is neurodivergent, and queer characters. Interested to see where it goes next. (Had a hard time with one of the narrators voices and it made it challenging to get into the story at first.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Abandonment
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I usually don't like comparing books to other books because most times they can't live up to the expectations.
This book however reminded me so much of some of my favourite books:
It has:
- a found family that reminded me a lot of Six of Crows (especially Kaz & Séverin!)
- a magical Order reminding me a lot of the Shadowhunters
- tattooed vows that reminded me of ACOTAR
- great unique gifts that reminded me of Raybearer
and somehow while reminding me of so many other books and series this book managed to stay unique.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait for the sequel. The only reason I'm not quite giving it 5 stars is the ending & Séverins behaviour in the end.. Careful: BIG SPOILERS AHEAD! I get that he is hurt and grieving but what he said to Laila is in my opinion pretty unforgivable.. He knew how insecure she was about that and still he said it and didn't even apologise.. so so shitty!! The are both hurt but she did they right thing and overcame her fears while he was just an asshole.
I generally really liked Séverin throughout the book but this just didn't stick right with me..
Also what happened to Tristan was so unexpected and super sad. I usually get emotional very easily while reading but I didn't cry this time. I was sad but not THAT sad. That is also one of the reasons I decided to not give the book 5 stars. It didn't manage to ruin me..
I guess I did like the characters but I wasn't really attached to any of them. I do like though that the other is not afraid of killing of her main characters.
Also I really liked Laila and I think her POV was also always the most interesting to me. I really hope she will stay kind even after what happened because in one of the last chapters we get to see the new her and I have to say I don't like it. She carries her hurt around like a blade and that is so unlike her.
What I probably enjoyed most about this book was the scenery. Paris 1889 but with magic and secret societies.
I still have a lot of questions about the magic system and general world building but I hope that will all be clearer to me when I read the sequels.
I also really enjoyed the Authors Note at the end. What the author said about the Exposition Universelle and "La Belle Epoque" was really interesting. I like that she said you cannot just take the good and ignore the bad and I think you can definitely see that in the book as well. It has the glamour but also the seriousness which you already know I love in my books :)
This book however reminded me so much of some of my favourite books:
Spoiler
- a found family that reminded me a lot of Six of Crows (especially Kaz & Séverin!)
- a magical Order reminding me a lot of the Shadowhunters
- tattooed vows that reminded me of ACOTAR
- great unique gifts that reminded me of Raybearer
and somehow while reminding me of so many other books and series this book managed to stay unique.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait for the sequel. The only reason I'm not quite giving it 5 stars is the ending & Séverins behaviour in the end.. Careful: BIG SPOILERS AHEAD!
Spoiler
I generally really liked Séverin throughout the book but this just didn't stick right with me..
Also what happened to Tristan was so unexpected and super sad. I usually get emotional very easily while reading but I didn't cry this time. I was sad but not THAT sad. That is also one of the reasons I decided to not give the book 5 stars. It didn't manage to ruin me..
I guess I did like the characters but I wasn't really attached to any of them. I do like though that the other is not afraid of killing of her main characters.
Also I really liked Laila and I think her POV was also always the most interesting to me. I really hope she will stay kind even after what happened because in one of the last chapters we get to see the new her and I have to say I don't like it. She carries her hurt around like a blade and that is so unlike her.
What I probably enjoyed most about this book was the scenery. Paris 1889 but with magic and secret societies.
I still have a lot of questions about the magic system and general world building but I hope that will all be clearer to me when I read the sequels.
I also really enjoyed the Authors Note at the end. What the author said about the Exposition Universelle and "La Belle Epoque" was really interesting. I like that she said you cannot just take the good and ignore the bad and I think you can definitely see that in the book as well. It has the glamour but also the seriousness which you already know I love in my books :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Antisemitism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Torture
rebeccaxpaige's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, and Gore
Moderate: Abandonment, Ableism, Antisemitism, Colonisation, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
oliverreeds's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i liked it. i just felt like the book lacked that extra step of vibrancy that really brings books to life. i felt as if something important- some greater substance was necessary for me to truly love this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, and Torture
maryjames's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Sexual content, Antisemitism, and Racism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cultural appropriation, Genocide, and Injury/Injury detail
starlessnights's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Colonisation, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Death, and Racism
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