meg_leigh's review against another edition
2.0
Every. Single. Character. Is so deeply selfish and unlikeable. And the level of violence against children, the sheer number of children dying, borders on trauma porn.
Half the characters' choices make no sense or have any consistency from page to page.
I already bought the third book, such was my excitement, so I'll read it and hope this installment was just an unfortunate misstep.
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, and Torture
Moderate: Medical trauma and Sexual violence
brynalexa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Classism, Racism, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Mass/school shootings, Misogyny, Stalking, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Medical content, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Suicide, War, Miscarriage, Slavery, and Torture
tinybluepixel's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Torture, War, Medical content, Medical trauma, Violence, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, and Slavery
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Child abuse, Classism, Religious bigotry, Addiction, Child death, Death of parent, and Slavery
Minor: Rape, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Terminal illness
ehmannky's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book also skyrocketed Ali to the top of my list of favorite characters. The previous book of "the oppressed can have some rights" is burned away as he gains more confidence in his own moral clarity and is able to see a life outside of the palace (also, Aqisa and Lubayd are the best additions the vast cast of characters). Muntadhir plummeted pretty far down the list with the petty jealousy and the fear his father beat into him taking over his love for his siblings, Jamshid and what he knows is right. Like, the whole
Spoiler
lie to embarrass Ali and then causing a massacre and like only realizing after the fact that all this death was his fault? Fuck him. Though the ending reconciliation was pretty damn satisfying. But also, fuck him.Overall, a stunning sequel. I cannot wait to read the final installment.
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Racism, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Torture, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Miscarriage