dezzella's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Gore, and Death
Minor: Child death
enchantressreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
I am always on the look out for books I can get lost in. The Helm of Midnight definitely scratched that itch. The world is so interesting, and even the most minute of details are intriguing. I take notes for pretty much every book I read, but there were so many for this book.
I’m glad I accidentally requested the sequel from NetGalley or I might not have picked this book up.
I’m glad I accidentally requested the sequel from NetGalley or I might not have picked this book up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Self harm
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Death of parent
abbyschalupa's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow was this book good. Once I got about a third through, I couldn't put it down. The end gutted me. The mystery of the murderer was tense and kept me guessing. The writing and the atmosphere were both well done. While it took me a while to like the characters, once I did, I was invested. The more clues there are through the story, the more tense it gets. One thing not making this 5 stars is a scene towards the end where the main character endures and battles suicidal thoughts. Not something I try to read especially with such descriptive thoughts. Along with that, the first third of the book was rather slow. Once I got past that point, the story did pick up and the different POVs had me invested even with the different timelines. The characters could have felt more lifelike if there was more depth to them and their thoughts, instead of the simplistic descriptions of that made it more difficult to connect with them. Besides those things, I was lost in this story and completely enthralled in the chase and mystery behind the murderer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Grief, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Torture, Vomit, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Abortion
carolined314's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
Gruesome murders in a fantasy/sci fi world with deep appreciation for the gods, genderqueer characters, and a strong sisterly bond that sustains. This murder mystery was fascinating, and the world just as much so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Death, and Stalking
Minor: Abortion
mar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion and Forced institutionalization
leahrosereads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Start: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Atmosphere:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ending:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What I loved
I absolutely loved how immediately immersed and invested into this story and these characters I was. There was a lot of information about the world thrown at the reader while going down a rabbit hole of murder, cults, and secrecy. I sometimes felt as overwhelmed as the characters, but still, it worked for me.
The characters were definitely a highlight for me, and I really enjoyed the multiple POVs we got to read from.
This was a stunning and fascinating genre blended story of fantasy, horror and thriller-y goodness, and I cannot wait for book 2!
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Start: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Atmosphere:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ending:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What I loved
I absolutely loved how immediately immersed and invested into this story and these characters I was. There was a lot of information about the world thrown at the reader while going down a rabbit hole of murder, cults, and secrecy. I sometimes felt as overwhelmed as the characters, but still, it worked for me.
The characters were definitely a highlight for me, and I really enjoyed the multiple POVs we got to read from.
This was a stunning and fascinating genre blended story of fantasy, horror and thriller-y goodness, and I cannot wait for book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, and Death
bookswithjk's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rich with world-building, dark, and imaginative. It’s a fantasy mystery, drawing from three different perspectives and presenting enough twists and turns to keep you engaged and eager to read on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Child death
Minor: Pregnancy
Cult.madarauchiha's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 my about / byf / CW info carrd: uchiha-madara 💜 💙 💚 💛 🧡 ❤️
I think the magic system was the most interesting part of the plot. I absolutely do not care for the MC being a 'fantasy cop'. I feel like they could've been a random, lower level government official that got caught up in a conspiracy and that would feel less like copaganda.
Aside from that, it's pretty interesting and original, plot and setting wise. The writing is very lovely and pleasant to read.
The author is white so they do some weird things with the black(?) characters / characters of color. Particularly with religious muslim dress codes. [see below]
There's also weird transphobic shit about nonbinary people having to be perfectly balanced fem / masc presenting. I don't think that was necessary and isn't realistic. Yes I know this is a story about magic masks. But listen, if it's not realistic to the culture and society you're creating, it wil pull me out of the story. And if examples become more egregious it will reflect poorly on the author to me. It's particularly odd because there are multiple pronoun types used.
The serial killing vaguely reminded me of From Hell / Jack the Ripper. It's not a complete copy but there were similarities.
I appreciate that the plot felt cohesive as it coalesced into the finale. I didn't realize or notice that this is a series. I thought the ending was fairly solid, but there are explicitly unanswered questions and newly posed questions that may discourage those not interested in following along to the next book. I'll probably read the sequel if the plot looks interesting.
▪ She thanked the gods for her dark complexion. Maybe he wouldn’t notice her flush or fluster.
Uhh not sure that's how blushing works on dark skinned people? I'm not sure how dark skinned the MC is supposed to be.
"...the priest said in a tempered lilt that was neither high nor low, masculine nor feminine."
I deeply hate this transphobic shtick where nonbinary people have to perfectly straddle a line between masculinity and femininity. You could've and should have left it as they were nonbinary clothed as per the religions rules.
▪ They consulted a silver watch pulled from deep in the folds of their burqa.
I'm not muslim much less a niqabi but like this is a very specific outfit for muslim people. Just say robes. I disagree on using this wording.
Content warnings:
minor: age gap, emetophobia, work camps,
medium: unsanitary, abuse, child abuse, NSFW, emetophobia, forced institutionalization, child abuse, alcohol use, pregnancy, domestic abuse, child abuse, abortion, blood, cults,
major: guns, body horror, child death, medical content, violence, prisons, police, torture, police brutality, police abuse, prison abuse, gore, injuries, blood, violence, cults, violence, blood, death, brainwashing, domestic abuse, familial abuse, medical content, kidnapping, drugging, gore, animal violence,
major anti sex worker sentiment / whorephobia. Context:
I think the magic system was the most interesting part of the plot. I absolutely do not care for the MC being a 'fantasy cop'. I feel like they could've been a random, lower level government official that got caught up in a conspiracy and that would feel less like copaganda.
Aside from that, it's pretty interesting and original, plot and setting wise. The writing is very lovely and pleasant to read.
The author is white so they do some weird things with the black(?) characters / characters of color. Particularly with religious muslim dress codes. [see below]
There's also weird transphobic shit about nonbinary people having to be perfectly balanced fem / masc presenting. I don't think that was necessary and isn't realistic. Yes I know this is a story about magic masks. But listen, if it's not realistic to the culture and society you're creating, it wil pull me out of the story. And if examples become more egregious it will reflect poorly on the author to me. It's particularly odd because there are multiple pronoun types used.
The serial killing vaguely reminded me of From Hell / Jack the Ripper. It's not a complete copy but there were similarities.
I appreciate that the plot felt cohesive as it coalesced into the finale. I didn't realize or notice that this is a series. I thought the ending was fairly solid, but there are explicitly unanswered questions and newly posed questions that may discourage those not interested in following along to the next book. I'll probably read the sequel if the plot looks interesting.
▪ She thanked the gods for her dark complexion. Maybe he wouldn’t notice her flush or fluster.
Uhh not sure that's how blushing works on dark skinned people? I'm not sure how dark skinned the MC is supposed to be.
"...the priest said in a tempered lilt that was neither high nor low, masculine nor feminine."
I deeply hate this transphobic shtick where nonbinary people have to perfectly straddle a line between masculinity and femininity. You could've and should have left it as they were nonbinary clothed as per the religions rules.
▪ They consulted a silver watch pulled from deep in the folds of their burqa.
I'm not muslim much less a niqabi but like this is a very specific outfit for muslim people. Just say robes. I disagree on using this wording.
Content warnings:
minor: age gap, emetophobia, work camps,
medium: unsanitary, abuse, child abuse, NSFW, emetophobia, forced institutionalization, child abuse, alcohol use, pregnancy, domestic abuse, child abuse, abortion, blood, cults,
major: guns, body horror, child death, medical content, violence, prisons, police, torture, police brutality, police abuse, prison abuse, gore, injuries, blood, violence, cults, violence, blood, death, brainwashing, domestic abuse, familial abuse, medical content, kidnapping, drugging, gore, animal violence,
major anti sex worker sentiment / whorephobia. Context:
Spoiler
one of the the plot lines is a serial killer who targets a pregnant sex worker. It's not portrayed as a good thing per se but it's still fucked up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Vomit, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit
readundancies's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Embrace the bleak people, because that is what we have been offered.
I'm not sure how articulate I can be about my feelings surrounding this dark fantasy novel, so in case this doesn't come across that clearly, I really enjoyed this novel. I loved all of it's dark and harrowing facets (of which there were many) in a way I haven't felt an affinity towards to for quite a long time. The fact that it's the first novel in a trilogy is not a deterrent at all, in fact, I'm excited for the sequel because this world is constructed in a way that it still feels mysterious and not fully ventured and I love the darkness that permeates everything within it.
I'm going to start with the world-building. While there was very much a French inspired vibe, our setting is not the most lush and descriptive. That has a lot to do with the fact that the world of Arkensyre doesn't have a lot of lush in it. It's a very bleak and harsh world that is steeped in a religious mythology that is also rather dark and daunting. We stay within the country of Lutador throughout the novel, specifically the capital, Lutador City, but the other nations are mentioned often, and their differing cultures andhow they co-mingle with one another is something I'm fully looking to be furthered explored as the trilogy progresses.
The religion and mythology of the Five Penalties and the gods that ruled over everything was strict and unrelenting. The combination of church and state was mesmerizing in how they blended and meshed with one another so seamlessly - it was a wonder to get to read how it all played out. And by the end, as a reader, you still don’t really know what role the Unknown means to play, or what the truth is behind their motivations with respect to intentions. For a third person multiple POV, there’s a lot of unreliable testimony and intentional misdirection and omitted context, but it’s executed so well.
There is also a hard magic system that interplays with the religion and politics of the world, and when specifically looking at the law and how it's governed and enforced with respect to the Watchsmen and Regulators and Martinets, you really got the feel that it was very deliberately structured. I really enjoyed learning about how the masks and gemstones could be utilized and imbued with emotions and then further manipulated by the echoes that inhabited them.
I also really enjoyed the overall writing within this. The writing really helped solidify the world-building because there was a brutality to the tone, a very tangible savagery to the diction and it made the whole vibe of the novel very dark and heavy and like danger was behind every corner. This story is written with a very fatalistic inclination towards death and blatantly bleak undertones of it’s ultimate inevitability. This also influenced the characterization: Krona had a very reluctant quality to her character, especially in her role as a Regulator. Melanie and her enchanted situation was riveting to read about but ultimately was saturated in poverty and the constant struggle to overcome those who would abuse her as a person so that they could use her as property. Thibaut was giving me all the Jaskier vibes from The Witcher and I was gobbling them up and stuffing them in my cheeks like a chipmunk saving up for winter because I knew his good humour was not going to last. There were happy moments, but they were few and far between and felt like they had to be earned, and I didn't mind at all because that dark bleakness really settled in a way that became all-consuming. And it was consistent throughout.
I will say that there were a few editing errors that were missed in this first publication which were irritating. And the vargers, which were giving me yao-guai vibes of the Fallout variety, were scary, but didn't quite fit in to the world-building because I feel like there's more behind them than meets the eye but nothing was really revealed about them. This is something I hope gets further explored as the trilogy progresses.
But as a whole? This was engrossing as heck. I’ve got all these thoughts and opinions and questions and I’m so wonderfully lost in the weeds in terms of whatever the overarching plot line this trilogy has deigned to take. It was entirely too easy to slip back into whenever I had picked it up again and it was strangely compelling in the way it almost forcibly dragged the reader alongside Krona to figure out what in the bloody fuck everyone’s deal was.
So bring on the sequel Marina Lostetter, my body is ready.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
janeivy11's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Medical content, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Kidnapping
Minor: Abortion, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide