raki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape
eerielux's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Grief, Pedophilia, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Violence
ratatouilllie's review against another edition
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Grief, Physical abuse, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Bullying, Classism, Animal death, Blood, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Adult/minor relationship
saskiajva'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Blood, Animal death, Body horror, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Forced institutionalization
kaiyakaiyo'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
My only complaint was that it felt like Anna’s “power” wasn’t explored much, but then I saw the dreaded word on the digital cover: trilogy. Guess I’m strapped in for more, though I think I would’ve really liked this as a stand-alone
Graphic: Body horror and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm
a_libraryghost's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry
jessreadsandrambles's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
agenericmirkwoodelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
But by the end?
Oh my goddess!! I could not put this book down! There were moments, just before act three, where I felt myself feeling genuine dread! It’s extremely rare that a book makes me feel that. It was so eerie in a way it could not have accomplished had there not been the level of setup that there was.
That, combined with the amazing characters, makes this a worthwhile read for sure!
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Body shaming
graceert'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Gaslighting and Religious bigotry
mysimas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Sometimes I felt like I was reading one of those horsegirl stories for young teens — seriously, the obsession of this book with horses is astounding — but other than that, I was sucked into the 14th century Russia and fell in love with both its human and magical inhabitants alike (with the exception of Konstantin who was a major creep and eerily similar to Hugo’s Frollo — ew, just ew, get them away from me!!).
There’s strong themes of religion (Christianity killing the old gods and in extension the humans) which I didn’t mind as I’m not Christian (but I can see why some Christians wouldn’t be happy with this theme), and just as strong themes of female oppression, and it was cathartic to see Vasya’s small victories in this regard.
My major complaint is the book ends rather abruptly and some questions remain unresolved (such as thee importance of Vasya’s blue pendant). Maybe they’ll be dealt with in the sequels??
Graphic: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death