alphabetseeds's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
I'm wavering between a 3 and a 4. This is a good debut - juggling so many POVs can be a challenge. It had a slow start, and because my life was pretty busy, it didn't immediately grab my attention. I was around 1/3 of the way in when I started getting into the groove of the story and became more invested in the various characters and their story arcs. However, the climaxes of each story arc felt a little... rushed? Things happened neatly, for lack of a better term (though people who have read know that there's no bloodless rebellion).
I'm intrigued by the "smaller" mysteries of and and but the larger mystery of the ancient, long-dead race whose ruins are everywhere perhaps reawakening... that has my attention.
I think what brings this down closer to a 3 for me is that Because that just raises more questions, and currently, it feels a little like . But I'm hoping that things will become clearer and stronger as the trilogy continues.
I'm intrigued by the "smaller" mysteries of
Spoiler
construct islandSpoiler
what the heck is MephiSpoiler
who even is Jovis, anywayI think what brings this down closer to a 3 for me is that
Spoiler
is everyone a flipping constructSpoiler
the Cylon problem in Battlestar Galactica
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Murder
Minor: Blood
hapalyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Death, Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Kidnapping, Murder, and Physical abuse
alyanna_dm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
nicolesbookcase's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
I jumped into this as part of a book club and read it very quickly in order to catch up on time. I had heard of this book and it had been on my TBR for some time, but I went into this blind, not rereading the blurb again before starting. And wow. Having been reading more romance and lit fic over the last few months, I had almost forgotten how much I LOVE epic fantasy! I love being immersed in a fantasy world, and this certainly delivered!
First of all, the worldbuilding was simply amazing. The idea of migrating islands was super neat, and the magic system was so original and intriguing; literally taking a piece of bone from a living being and using it to power constructs stitched together from people and animals...so cool. And slightly horrifying. Might not be able to sleep again with the thought of the creepy spider construct with the face of an old woman and human hands on each of it's legs...
It had been a while since I had read a book with multiple POVs, and I absolutely loved that aspect of this book! Especially with certain POVs switching from first person to third person. I liked not being stuck in one character's plotline for too long and being able to jump around a bit! It made for a very quick read. There were certain POVs I liked more than others, but ultimately, all of them played a really important part, and when some of the characters' stories collided, it made it all the more exciting! It was also really interesting to see the similarities and contrast between the different characters in terms of their development. The main theme seemed to be self-identity, and each character really had to do a lot of soul-searching to figure out their goals and who they wanted to be at the end of the line.
I'm not sure if it was because of the fact that there were multiple POVs, but plotlines were very fast-paced...thinking of the events that happened to each individual character in a linear fashion, their stories seemed to reach conclusions very quickly. I tend to like more medium-paced books, but I still really enjoyed the shifting POVs, and the plot really was action-packed! A definite page-turner! There were so many twists and turns, and I loved having so many theories to play around with. We got so many clues, so it was fun to try and piece things together!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It ended on a really intriguing note that propels you into the plot of the following book, and I can't wait to jump in!
First of all, the worldbuilding was simply amazing. The idea of migrating islands was super neat, and the magic system was so original and intriguing; literally taking a piece of bone from a living being and using it to power constructs stitched together from people and animals...so cool. And slightly horrifying. Might not be able to sleep again with the thought of the creepy spider construct with the face of an old woman and human hands on each of it's legs...
It had been a while since I had read a book with multiple POVs, and I absolutely loved that aspect of this book! Especially with certain POVs switching from first person to third person. I liked not being stuck in one character's plotline for too long and being able to jump around a bit! It made for a very quick read. There were certain POVs I liked more than others, but ultimately, all of them played a really important part, and when some of the characters' stories collided, it made it all the more exciting! It was also really interesting to see the similarities and contrast between the different characters in terms of their development. The main theme seemed to be self-identity, and each character really had to do a lot of soul-searching to figure out their goals and who they wanted to be at the end of the line.
I'm not sure if it was because of the fact that there were multiple POVs, but plotlines were very fast-paced...thinking of the events that happened to each individual character in a linear fashion, their stories seemed to reach conclusions very quickly. I tend to like more medium-paced books, but I still really enjoyed the shifting POVs, and the plot really was action-packed! A definite page-turner! There were so many twists and turns, and I loved having so many theories to play around with. We got so many clues, so it was fun to try and piece things together!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It ended on a really intriguing note that propels you into the plot of the following book, and I can't wait to jump in!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Kidnapping
wombie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Emotional abuse, Classism, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
kaziaroo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
On the whole I loved this – the characters, the magic system, the mystery were all amazing (plus a queer-normative world!). I would have liked it if the setting was more fleshed out, maybe going more into the cultures of the different islands rather than them all feeling the same, but overall the story was immersive enough and the characters lovable enough to look past that. I loved Jovis and Mephi in particular, and I liked Lin too; there's always a difficulty in amnesiac characters as they have such a short background on which to build a personality and identity, but I think the author did an admirable job.
My only real criticism is that I felt the book would have been better without Ranami and Phalue's POV chapters. Their story had an interesting message and moral dilemma but it just didn't seem to fit and their chapters were quite dull to get through compared to the rest of the book. As a novella on their own, those chapters would have been fine, but I found myself skim-reading them to get back to Jovis, Lin and even Sand. Maybe more will come of Ranami and Phalue in the sequel, but I just couldn't get behind their relationship or find the point of their storyline or its impact of the overall plot.
Spoiler
I wanted to see more of Bayan, alas... :(My only real criticism is that I felt the book would have been better without Ranami and Phalue's POV chapters. Their story had an interesting message and moral dilemma but it just didn't seem to fit and their chapters were quite dull to get through compared to the rest of the book. As a novella on their own, those chapters would have been fine, but I found myself skim-reading them to get back to Jovis, Lin and even Sand. Maybe more will come of Ranami and Phalue in the sequel, but I just couldn't get behind their relationship or find the point of their storyline or its impact of the overall plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Trafficking, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Violence, Death, Gaslighting, Body horror, and Medical content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
Minor: War
thoughtsontomes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This synopsis reads like it's going to be one POV and instead it is 5, which I do think bogged the story down. Our arguably two main characters are the ones I ultimately cared about most and would have liked more time with. Some of the points about the world and magic system felt a little rushed and glossed over. The writing style reminds me a bit of a typical YA fantasy style, while this definitely is an adult book, so it would make a good crossover title. I'm unsure if this will hold my interest enough to continue with the series but if I do, it will definitely be for the magical animal companion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Child death, Body horror, and Animal death
leona's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
I've been struggling recently to feel excited and inclined to pick up a book and read, I feel like nothing has really been 'gripping' me recently.
I found this book to have a rather slow start, and I did struggle a bit to really get into it. After a while though, I was fully engrossed and flew through this book so quickly.
Jovis was probably my favourite character in the story. He's witty and determined and just a very likeable character. His desperation to find his wife feels raw and realistic, I really sympathise with his struggles. The mystery of the blue-sailed ship is intriguing, as well as the mystery of 'what the hell is Mephi?' I love Mephi. He really adds some hope and love in this story. Especially as there is definitely some romance in the story, but mainly from relationships that have already been established - so it was nice to see Jovis have such a caring / parental love for Mephi (and have a new relationship established). Jovis really is a well-moralled and decent person at heart, with a tough exterior.
Lin was also pretty cool. Her chapters were some of the more captivating of the story, especially in the last half of the book. She wasn't my favourite character but I really enjoyed getting to see the way that Bone Shard magic could be used, especially first-hand from someone learning it for the first time. I think this was a very intelligent way to introduce readers to the magic system (a magic system which is quite frankly brilliant, one of my favourites since allomancy!) And wow. Those plot twists and cliff-hangers at the end... Just excellent. I mean I did call a few of the twists
Another main POV is that of Phalue and Ranami. Their chapters were interesting although not my favourites because I wasn't really all that interested in the uprising / rebel side story. However, I think Phalue and Ranami are one of the best lesbian relationships I have read in fantasy recently. I appreciated the way that different sexualities / sexual preferences were completely integrated and unquestioned in society, they aren't token characters, but feel very realistic. They aren't treated any differently to a straight couple, and the challenges they face in this already established relationship feel very realistic, and I imagine are probably quite relatable. There is also some interesting exploration of classism, and how economic status can effect someone's life opportunities and happiness. I'm hoping we get a bit more depth from them in future installments.
I liked some of the side characters a fair amount as well, especially Sand, and the other people on that island. I loved the element of mystery around the whole book, and the revelations were most definitely worth it!
I find the whole concept of this book so utterly fascinating, and I really enjoyed the philosophical elements (almost sci-fi esque), with themes such as The world building was excellent and I really enjoyed the Asian inspiration.
Overall, I just really loved this first book, and I genuinely think it has the potential to become a new favourite trilogy of mine! 4.5 stars. Highly recommend.
I found this book to have a rather slow start, and I did struggle a bit to really get into it. After a while though, I was fully engrossed and flew through this book so quickly.
Jovis was probably my favourite character in the story. He's witty and determined and just a very likeable character. His desperation to find his wife feels raw and realistic, I really sympathise with his struggles. The mystery of the blue-sailed ship is intriguing, as well as the mystery of 'what the hell is Mephi?' I love Mephi. He really adds some hope and love in this story. Especially as there is definitely some romance in the story, but mainly from relationships that have already been established - so it was nice to see Jovis have such a caring / parental love for Mephi (and have a new relationship established). Jovis really is a well-moralled and decent person at heart, with a tough exterior.
Lin was also pretty cool. Her chapters were some of the more captivating of the story, especially in the last half of the book. She wasn't my favourite character but I really enjoyed getting to see the way that Bone Shard magic could be used, especially first-hand from someone learning it for the first time. I think this was a very intelligent way to introduce readers to the magic system (a magic system which is quite frankly brilliant, one of my favourites since allomancy!) And wow. Those plot twists and cliff-hangers at the end... Just excellent. I mean I did call a few of the twists
Spoiler
such as Lin being a construct, however the end... That Lin was a construct made to look like her mother - most likely out of at least some of Jovis' wife's remains! Just disturbingly, excellently chilling. I can't wait to get to book 2 and see how much darker it could get.Another main POV is that of Phalue and Ranami. Their chapters were interesting although not my favourites because I wasn't really all that interested in the uprising / rebel side story. However, I think Phalue and Ranami are one of the best lesbian relationships I have read in fantasy recently. I appreciated the way that different sexualities / sexual preferences were completely integrated and unquestioned in society, they aren't token characters, but feel very realistic. They aren't treated any differently to a straight couple, and the challenges they face in this already established relationship feel very realistic, and I imagine are probably quite relatable. There is also some interesting exploration of classism, and how economic status can effect someone's life opportunities and happiness. I'm hoping we get a bit more depth from them in future installments.
I liked some of the side characters a fair amount as well, especially Sand, and the other people on that island. I loved the element of mystery around the whole book, and the revelations were most definitely worth it!
I find the whole concept of this book so utterly fascinating, and I really enjoyed the philosophical elements (almost sci-fi esque), with themes such as
Spoiler
what it means to be human / alive, whether it is worth sacrificing some to potentially save the many, etc.Overall, I just really loved this first book, and I genuinely think it has the potential to become a new favourite trilogy of mine! 4.5 stars. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Murder, Body horror, and Child death
Minor: Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, and Racism
annie_and_the_word_tacos's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
A very fun fantasy read! It reminded me a lot of reading Black Sun. All of the characters were great, especially Mephi! The island world was great, and Lin dealing with her dad’s boneshard magic and experiments was compelling. I did kind of wish the three characters who were barely featured had more POV chapters, because I kept forgetting about them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Blood, Violence, Xenophobia, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Death, Confinement, Torture, Grief, Child death, and Body horror
Memory loss, earthquake, natural disaster