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k_aro's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was good.... I definitely enjoyed the slow burn enemies to lovers, but I'm not sure if, as a whole, it'll be particularly memorable for me. Like, it was good, but not life-changingly good.
Crier and Ayla are... good? Characters? I'm definitely not categorically opposed to them but I don't think they're particularly compelling in and of themselves, they seem kind of standard.
It was pretty gripping, though. It took me a little bit to get into it but it was definitely exciting after that.
Crier and Ayla are... good? Characters? I'm definitely not categorically opposed to them but I don't think they're particularly compelling in and of themselves, they seem kind of standard.
It was pretty gripping, though. It took me a little bit to get into it but it was definitely exciting after that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Police brutality, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Infertility, Self harm, Death of parent, and Alcohol
It's sort of hard to talk about the more social aspects of this book, given that it's between a fictional race and a real one, so when I say "cultural appropriation" I'm unsure whether it would realistically affect someone, given that it is largely the king appropriating human culture (such as, marital traditions).lollyr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Infertility, Grief, and Murder
make_believer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
This is my new favorite YA fantasy series. The world-building is incredible. It’s interesting to see a story where AI has taken over the human world. My favorite part of the book, however, was Crier. I don’t think I have ever loved a YA protagonist more. She is so incredibly naive and she makes absolutely idiotic decisions sometimes, but it’s because she truly means well. She truly wants to help everyone around her, and she wants to make the world a better place. And her relationship with Ayla is amazing. This is a slow burn romance for sure, and it is about as enemies to lovers as you can get. But that is once again one of the many reasons that Crier is so lovable. Ayla’s hatred of Crier and the system that Crier represents is absolutely valid. Ayla’s hesitance to trust and acknowledge her feelings for Crier make for a wonderful slow burn. Crier is so insistent on helping people, and so in love with Ayla from the start, that she completely misses the fact that she and Ayla are enemies. The yearning from both sides is beautiful. Ayla wants to badly to feel nothing towards Crier, and Crier wants so badly for Ayla to love her back. It leads up to an incredible ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Infertility and Sexual content
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoyed this sapphic fantasy aspect of this book but I found the writing to be somewhat weak. The world-building takes place in the first couple pages instead of unfolding throughout the story.
Spice level: 🌶/5
Spice level: 🌶/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gaslighting
alouette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What an absolutely beautiful read! Valera's debut novel is full of so much emotion, a lesbian romance that was absolutely heart-wrenching, and many twists and turns. I've been reading some plot heavy novels lately, but this one perfectly balanced character depth and exploration with a plot that took me by surprise with its reveals. I love the worldbuilding as well- the history of the War of Kinds and the different ways Automae see humans was really fascinating. The pacing was excellent as well, with lots happening but moments of respite (the tide pool scene!!!!) that kept it from feeling too fast.
Going back to the romance though- the descriptions of how Ayla and Crier see each other, the overlapping moments and POV switches giving their different perspectives, all of it was breathtaking. No matter what happened, I was always cheering them on and wishing the best for them. I can't wait to continue doing so in the sequel.
music pairing: moonday by flor
Going back to the romance though- the descriptions of how Ayla and Crier see each other, the overlapping moments and POV switches giving their different perspectives, all of it was breathtaking. No matter what happened, I was always cheering them on and wishing the best for them. I can't wait to continue doing so in the sequel.
music pairing: moonday by flor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Toxic relationship
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