becca_w_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Classism, Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Violence, Injury/injury detail, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Grief, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Medical content, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, and Gore
Moderate: Abandonment, Incest, Child death, and Xenophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Vomit, and War
egurgens's review
- 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
There are so many political twists, so much betrayal, blood, gore, spies, magic, bullying, and violence, but it is so so so good. 100% recommend.
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Classism, Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, Domestic abuse, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, War, Child death, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
elskabee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ACOTAR meets Assassin's Apprentice
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes:
- Fast paced books
- Morally grey protagonists
- Political intrigue
- Female-led fantasy where romance is barely present
I overall enjoyed my time with this book, especially around the halfway mark and onwards where things really started to pick up. None of the characters are likeable, but that's kind of the point. Horrible people doing horrible things to each other in an entertaining fashion.
The biggest let down was that the stakes and my level interest were so low for roughly the first half of the book. First instalments usually need time to introduce stuff, but that wasn't my problem. It was more that what the characters were dealing with just wasn't interesting, especially when you contrast it to the second half of the book. I definitely think the first half could have been a little more compact with he middle section a bit more expanded and the book would have been better for it. The only other thing that stopped me from rating it higher was that I found the world-building a little lacklustre. I don't think it was suuuper important for this story, but it would have helped in making the world feel more real and immersive.
Overall it was a fun quick read that I had trouble putting down so I'd definitely recommend it.
Graphic: Trafficking and Slavery
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism and Medical content