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pillarofmyth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
1.75
the writing and plot seemed so promising at the beginning, but the underdeveloped world building - and the absence of any narrative or character-development that is not entirely self-stated - makes it fall short. also, kind of pretentious. makes me very sad because i wanted to love this one
kristyloves2read's review against another edition
3.0
How can you both like and dislike a book so much? I am clearly torn about this. I didn't like any of the characters and yet I liked most of them. Libby Rhodes was as winey and annoying as the other characters professed her to be, yet like them, she grew on me. Tristan, Reina, and Nico's stories are so loose that I feel like I missed something. Parisa and Callum I hated, sheesh, yet the story works because of who they all are.
I'm not going to give any spoilers but I will say that action is not really what this book is about. I spent half my reading time swearing I was going to DNF the story, but each time I started to something would bring me back.
So if I disliked the book so much why give it a 3-star rating? Because it takes a lot of effort to keep me reading a book I don't like and that is a sign of the writing and how good of a job the author does at keeping you hooked, especially when there is so little actual action. Enough to say I will probably be reading book # 2 just to find out what happens next.
I'm not going to give any spoilers but I will say that action is not really what this book is about. I spent half my reading time swearing I was going to DNF the story, but each time I started to something would bring me back.
So if I disliked the book so much why give it a 3-star rating? Because it takes a lot of effort to keep me reading a book I don't like and that is a sign of the writing and how good of a job the author does at keeping you hooked, especially when there is so little actual action. Enough to say I will probably be reading book # 2 just to find out what happens next.
_lennon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
queensaru's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lima_22's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit I'm a sucker for the 'found family' trope where strangers are forced to co-exist and work together towards a common goal. Add to that a dark academia vibe with morally grey characters who each have their own psychological complexities and hidden agendas, a few witty remarks, and a very aesthetically pleasing book cover - sold!
The book is definitely not for everyone. The author likes using complex words to describe simple concepts, which could either sound poetic or unecessarily complicated, bordering on pretentious depending if it's your cup of tea or not. There isn't much action happening plot-wise, the writing focusing instead on relationship development between characters; hence, enjoying this book is mostly a matter of character appreciation.
The book is definitely not for everyone. The author likes using complex words to describe simple concepts, which could either sound poetic or unecessarily complicated, bordering on pretentious depending if it's your cup of tea or not. There isn't much action happening plot-wise, the writing focusing instead on relationship development between characters; hence, enjoying this book is mostly a matter of character appreciation.
ummaima's review against another edition
4.0
Hands down, the most beautiful book cover of the ones I own.
I liked it... I didn't love it.
The characters were interesting people but they didn't feel human enough? They were all rather unlikable and unrelatable, save perhaps Nico de Varona. It just felt weird to me that these people, who were, understandably, powerful medeians, were so selfish and obsessed with their own loneliness.
The plot was also choked up with long, complicated philosophical terms and concepts. Reading them was fine, understanding them was harder.
IN CONCLUSION... It was good, not the best.
I liked it... I didn't love it.
The characters were interesting people but they didn't feel human enough? They were all rather unlikable and unrelatable, save perhaps Nico de Varona. It just felt weird to me that these people, who were, understandably, powerful medeians, were so selfish and obsessed with their own loneliness.
The plot was also choked up with long, complicated philosophical terms and concepts. Reading them was fine, understanding them was harder.
IN CONCLUSION... It was good, not the best.
artemismoon's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
menna_ahmed09's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0