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tinyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
Um. I wanted to like this. I wanted to love it. Unfortunately, even from the ninth page, all my annotations were about plot-holes or things that bothered me.
After reaching page 130, I flipped through the pages to land on a random one, page 336, and picked up from there. Everything still made sense and I skimmed the rest.
Ren was deeply unlikeable—morally grey doesn’t describe her, she is just…bad. Good for her, but I didn’t enjoy reading about it, nor did I connect with her. Whether that caused, or was a result of, my skipping half the book, who knows. She continuously made stupid decisions and trusted the wrong people.
The writing style was fantastic though. Easy to read while still being gorgeously descriptive.
Can’t believe the only worthwhile character DIED. WTF. Rest in pieces Neven.
Also I should have known I wasn’t going to enjoy this book when the cat died in chapter four.
After reaching page 130, I flipped through the pages to land on a random one, page 336, and picked up from there. Everything still made sense and I skimmed the rest.
Ren was deeply unlikeable—morally grey doesn’t describe her, she is just…bad. Good for her, but I didn’t enjoy reading about it, nor did I connect with her. Whether that caused, or was a result of, my skipping half the book, who knows. She continuously made stupid decisions and trusted the wrong people.
The writing style was fantastic though. Easy to read while still being gorgeously descriptive.
Also I should have known I wasn’t going to enjoy this book when the cat died in chapter four.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Racism
elizajaquays's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Xenophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
stateofiction's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
you can't be morally grey and whiny about it
overall, the story was fine. though the ending kind of leaves me wondering how the plot could possibly continue in a second book
overall, the story was fine. though the ending kind of leaves me wondering how the plot could possibly continue in a second book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
wicked_bibliophile's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
Um ok, but, Kylie???? There is no way that this is your debut!!!!!!! I was absolutely just enthralled by this one. Like, couldn't put it down, ignoring all phone notifications, my left hip hurts from sitting badly on the couch, super hungry past time for lunch, enthralled. If you like morally gray characters, biracial bad-asses, Japanese folklore, and/or action-packed journeys to find oneself, you will like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Death of parent
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Ooo this was dark! And full of Japanese mythology. If you're looking for a book that has a morally gray main character who does some questionable things, this is the book for you. Baker does an excellent job creating this world and pulling you in with these characters. The entire book is atmospheric and engaging.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator absolutely helped make the story for me. She pulled me into Ren's story and helped with the world building and enchanting nature of the story. With that ending, I can't wait for the second book!
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator absolutely helped make the story for me. She pulled me into Ren's story and helped with the world building and enchanting nature of the story. With that ending, I can't wait for the second book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Death of parent
rachelwierick's review against another edition
I’m in the middle of an important action scene and I FELL ASLEEP.
But for real…there is a totally unnecessary animal death scene, and yes I dnf’d the book, but as far as I can tell it didn’t add anything to the plot other than to be upsetting. After the protagonist gets to Japan, the book just seemed repetitive and slow, and I got so bored I started falling asleep during important scenes.
But for real…there is a totally unnecessary animal death scene, and yes I dnf’d the book, but as far as I can tell it didn’t add anything to the plot other than to be upsetting. After the protagonist gets to Japan, the book just seemed repetitive and slow, and I got so bored I started falling asleep during important scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence
shadesofkate26's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Really enjoyed the sibling relationship. Liked the mythology and historical setting. Overall enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, and Racism
mariahkindareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death and Child death
wai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
I really enjoyed this novel. My mom is half Japanese and half white and has talked about facing issues of racism/xenophobia in both America and Japan because of it, yet it's still relatively rare to see representation of that. Plus I love the mythology of this world and I want to know more - I want to know about all the different cultures versions of reapers.
I know a lot of people have mentioned not liking Ren, but personally I like that she's difficult and cold. It's interesting to see the discrepancies in what she said she was like vs her actions and reactions to things. And I've read books with male characters who were far more unlikable who we're supposed to sympathize with. But I do feel bad for Neven and think he deserves much better as well.
I'm really interested in this as a duology and am not sure where the second book would go from here. I'll definitely be picking up a copy when it comes out.
I know a lot of people have mentioned not liking Ren, but personally I like that she's difficult and cold. It's interesting to see the discrepancies in what she said she was like vs her actions and reactions to things. And I've read books with male characters who were far more unlikable who we're supposed to sympathize with. But I do feel bad for Neven and think he deserves much better as well.
I'm really interested in this as a duology and am not sure where the second book would go from here. I'll definitely be picking up a copy when it comes out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent