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readwithria's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book! I read most of it in one day, and it was hard to put down and very easy to pick back up again.
That being said, I’m not sure that it’s as plot heavy as it’s advertised. It’s definitely *story* heavy, but Diem doesn’t have any strong goals that she works toward throughout the book. This felt like a lot of exposition, and that’s fine since it’s the first book in a four book series, but I wanted her to have a little more agency.
I will definitely be continuing with this series! 4 stars!
Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC and the opportunity to share an honest, voluntary review.
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism and Classism
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
jo_cbooks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Sexual harassment, and War
dkgreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
artemis_growl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
MOOODS:
- Fantasy Romance
- Foes to Lovers
- Slow burn
- Easy world building
- Action
- Magic System
- Aliens/Gods/Something????
- Stabby Strong Kick A** Vibes
- Looks like they could kill you is acutally a cinnamon roll MMC
- Rebellion
- Spice 2/5
- Love Triangle
- Political intrigue
Trigger Warnings:
Death/violence (against children too), Sexual Harassment, Sexual Content (ch 7).
Overall spoiler free impression/review:
Missing mom triggers impending doom/war/rebellion and Diem (FMC) realizing she's not who she thought she was (but like duh...she's the only one that's willfully oblivious). We had a 415 page journey of Diem lying to herself thinking she knows what she feels but doesn't leading to internal turmoil, confusing illogical choices, impulsive stabby actions, consequences, and drama... which I happily and decisively gobbled up with some eye rolls here are there which I mean a natural occurrence when you're way past 19 and you come across a 19 year old for 400+pages. Overall 5 stars, not because it's the best written book in the world, and I predicted what would happen with Diem... but because I had fun and easy time reading it... and vibes.
World/Magic Building:
World: Emarion - City of Lumnos. Ruling Class: Descended (I think they're aliens to this world and not spoilers you learn this in the first like 5 pages), and "mortals" are the native species human equivalent of the world. Descended have magic, are stronger, longer living, godly creatures which for some reason you can distinguish by their eyeball colors and hair. Basically descended = British Colonial Empire and mortals are everyone else. Mortals and Descended to intermingle too much and are not allowed to have babies together bc you know the typical "pure blood" power stuff... so Diem knows nothing about the Descended really because momma Diem was being a momma bear and now momma bear is gone and Diem gets to mingle (wink wink) with the Descended.
<<Spoiler riddled review>>
I devoured this book in 1 day. I just couldn't put it down. It was pretty fast paced and kept me engaged the entire time (even during my occasional eye roll gorrrl what you doing moments. I enjoyed the premise, the action, the world building, and the stabby angry healer FMC (even if maybe not the brightest). I enjoyed that Diem actually has a wholesome family that cares about her and even if Momma Bear Diem probably was/is part of the rebellion and has a ton of secrets keeping Diem in the dark and making her think she basically has some sort of Schizotypical personality disorder (not the best mom moment)...i liked Diem's step-dad and half-brother. She was able to learn the best qualities from her mom and dad and surprisingly everyone is alive...for now...
There are typical ruling class/working class political undertones not unlike British/American colonialism and dehumanizing of others. I did enjoy the politics and world building. I do prefer when it's spread out throughout the book versus info dump/500 pages of world building with all action happening in the last 100 pages (yeah I'm talking to you SJM <3)
Overall I did like the book but I will warn others... the eye roll times I experienced with Diem...I can see that getting annoying for some... some of her actions/behaviors with the rebellion were random and nonsensical...and didn't really feel like they went with her normal personality....she was so eager to please she felt like a different character with them but eh...I still liked the book a lot so 5 stars it is.
Also, I need more Luther in the next book....gives looks like they could kill you is actually a cinnamon roll vibes and Diem haven't decided if she's a looks like they could kill you and will kill you or looks like a cinnamon roll but could kill you vibes....will put it up to the people for a vote...
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Sexual content and Medical content
snickerykitten's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment
maggies's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
soniajoy98's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Incest, Mental illness, Abortion, and Pregnancy