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lavdisy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Mind you, I'm quite new to this type of grimdark where chaotic and sensitive topics are prevalent in the book. Well, I mean, I’ve read similar books before, but this one hit differently. It features many points of view but focuses on three main characters. The good representation of lgbtq characters and these characters are quite amusing too. The plot delivers what it promises: a sense of creepiness, vast world-building, and good action filled with brutality. Additionally, the creatures in this story are aliens. I was surprised by this because I initially believed the setting was from an old century, but the existence of aliens made it interesting.
Even though I liked many elements, the lack of detail really bothered me. It was as if the names I encountered weren’t accompanied by enough information, making it hard to understand their significance. Moreover, some of the sensitive scenes felt unnecessary to the plot. Other than that, I enjoyed the book, but I’m not sure if I want to continue the series. Book 1 didn’t convince me enough to read the next one, but maybe someday I will change my mind and give it a try. Overall, it was a nice experience to finally read this type of book.
Even though I liked many elements, the lack of detail really bothered me. It was as if the names I encountered weren’t accompanied by enough information, making it hard to understand their significance. Moreover, some of the sensitive scenes felt unnecessary to the plot. Other than that, I enjoyed the book, but I’m not sure if I want to continue the series. Book 1 didn’t convince me enough to read the next one, but maybe someday I will change my mind and give it a try. Overall, it was a nice experience to finally read this type of book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
tetipea's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
NOT for queer readers. This is by and for straight, misogynostic men. Genuinely terrible character development, descriptions and plot. Almost nothing happens until the last quarter of the book, if you can survive past all the slurs and frankly offensively bad erotica. If you ever wondered what dude-bros think good fantasy writing looks like, here is your answers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual assault
birdentea's review against another edition
dark
medium-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
1.0
I normally am not affected by dark fantasy, but this book was just... too much. I had to stop multiple times reading it. The violence against women is extremely graphic and the book is blasé about it, almost using that kind of unimaginable trauma as shock value. The book has no lighthearted moments, which is to be expected in this kind of novel, I think, but the characters never emotionally address the darkness of the book. Honestly, the level of violence and sexual assault in the book is just too much. For gritty fantasy, I would expect some level of that kind of content as a part of the world, but this was just senseless violence without narrative purpose, and as a woman it was extremely hard to read that level of trauma being reduced to a plot device.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
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