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literarypenguin'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
This book picks up five years after the events of the first one. Nahri is now trapped in a loveless marriage under the thumb of King Ghassan. Ali is banished from Daevabad trying to build a better life for himself in a foreign land. Dara has been resurrected to once again be used as a weapon for the Nahids to take over Daevabad. This book has a much darker tone with some very heavy themes presented. The theme of war, how both sides are fighting for what they believe is right and no matter what happens no side truly wins a war over something like this.
Having the multiple perspectives really aided this book! I loved the addition of Dara's POV, I thought it added a lot to see his side of the conflict and why he was doing the things he did in the first and second book. Out of all the stories I really enjoyed seeing Ali's story! Seeing him grow and come into his own. How he learned to stand up for himself against his family, how he was firm in his beliefs and his need to help people. He was still fearful of his magic but he wanted to understand them and why he was granted them in the first place.
The world itself was still beautiful while there was less magical creatures in this one the city of Daevabad was still a beautiful place to see written in a book. This was a very politics heavy and character driven book! I enjoyed seeing the politics at play and getting to see the characters have to do some less than savory things to get things accomplished!
I am looking forward to finishing this book and finishing the series as a whole! I cant wait to see how the Daevabad trilogy is going to end!
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, and Slavery
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual assault
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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Classism
dazzle_spider_reader_1212's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
tahsintries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
ehmannky's review
- 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
Overall, a stunning sequel. I cannot wait to read the final installment.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Miscarriage