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bcchilds1's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
amesella's review against another edition
3.0
Because this isn't a YA book I was disappointed when it read like YA. I love a strong, bad ass female lead but half the time I was cringing over the way Ikenna was written. It kept me entertained and the action was good but I won't be reading it he second book.
mjcrowley4's review against another edition
fast-paced
- 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
mricci57's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book but I think the pacing threw me off. Would’ve liked a little more time spent on each of the stages and building up the characters. The story moves almost too quick. Overall though I really liked the themes, plot, and characters!
ampol's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Torture
Minor: War
essdotb's review against another edition
4.0
was it a little formulaic at times? yeah. did I thoroughly enjoy the comfort of a formulaic scifi/fantasy novel? absolutely.
I appreciated that the characters were clearly flawed in different ways and that some of the situations were well described as being no-win. a little annoyed by the "romance" (if you can call it that) bc I don't think it added to the story and really the connection she makes with her romantic interest would've been much more interesting as a friendship dynamic. but it was a minor enough part of the book's actual plot, even if other characters keep bringing it up later, that I can forgive it.
if there isn't more female friendship in the next one I will be mad about it now that the plot is taking place outside the highly misogynistic (and therefore male dominated) military academy
I appreciated that the characters were clearly flawed in different ways and that some of the situations were well described as being no-win. a little annoyed by the "romance" (if you can call it that) bc I don't think it added to the story and really the connection she makes with her romantic interest would've been much more interesting as a friendship dynamic. but it was a minor enough part of the book's actual plot, even if other characters keep bringing it up later, that I can forgive it.
if there isn't more female friendship in the next one I will be mad about it now that the plot is taking place outside the highly misogynistic (and therefore male dominated) military academy
apuraturekat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Science Fiction, Magic, Politics, Sexism, Religious and Racial persecution. After Magic, this book mirrors some of our world in a way that will make some uncomfortable. but that's okay. sit with it. analyse it, figure it out and start paying attention.
Ikenna is so strong in so many ways. I love her! Of course, nobody is perfect, and she's a little bloodthirsty, but I get it. I would be too, if I were in her situation. I can't wait to read book two!!
Ikenna is so strong in so many ways. I love her! Of course, nobody is perfect, and she's a little bloodthirsty, but I get it. I would be too, if I were in her situation. I can't wait to read book two!!
rachelroo13's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to read a sci-fi/fantasy book by a Black author for Black History Month and this did not disappoint. I can't believe this was a debut novel! The blending of fantasy pantheonic elements with the sci-fi civilization of Mareen was so well done, and the world building was pretty solid too. Some bits of exposition were a bit too expositiony for me, but that's a small nitpicky complain when taking in the whole of the story. Davenport did an incredible job writing a sympathetic but still slightly unreliable narrator in Ikenna; I knew she was wrong about certain things throughout the story but I couldn't hold it against her because of her fighting spirit. And the way betrayal and racism is woven through the entire story is just... chef's kiss. Are there some things that could've been improved? Sure. But that didn't take away from the fun and anxiety I had reading this book. I'm very much looking forward to the end of this duology.