casthefanby's review
- 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: Murder, Death, Self harm, Torture, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I always struggle a little bit with the second book in ANY fantasy series, simply because once the novelty of stepping into a new world and getting to know the characters fades, it becomes harder for me to keep track of (and therefore care about) all the complicated machinations of the plot.
But my investment in these characters kept me wanting to continue, even when all the politics and strategizing sometimes went over my head. I definitely appreciated that we got to spend more time with Iktan, because I found xir so interesting in the first book.
Where I tended to have the most trouble was understanding the characters’ wants and motivations, especially Iktan and Serapio. I wasn’t sure why they were doing what they were doing—what it was they were trying to achieve or what they were seeking (though this was eventually revealed pretty explicitly in Serapio’s case by the end)—and that took me out of the story a few times.
Other than that though, this really was great. I didn’t realize when I started that this isn’t a completed series, and I wish I’d thought to check because now I don’t want to have to wait to find out what happens next!! 😭
Graphic: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Murder, and Torture
Minor: Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Vomit
jht5791's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Blood, War, Animal death, Torture, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Physical abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Murder, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
jackiepreston's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Alcohol, Death, and Body horror
Moderate: War, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
nerodyne's review
- 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, Death, Murder, War, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Misogyny
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Murder, Death, Alcohol, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Confinement, War, Xenophobia, Animal death, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
alexalily's review
- 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: Animal death
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Death, Blood, Gore, Grief, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Homophobia, Classism, and Self harm
sohva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Blood, Cursing, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent, Racism, War, Confinement, Murder, Alcohol, Deportation, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Xenophobia
maeverose's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Animal death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
anxiousnachos's review
4.5
I loved that we got to see a closer look at some particular characters in this one (cough Iktan cough). One of my favourite things about this series is that I could pick 5 different readers and I bet we’d all be rooting for different people. It’s such a morally grey world, there’s no black and white, there’s no side you should be rooting for, no clear villains and heroes. You just have to stand by your character. (In case you were wondering, I am obviously team Serapio, aka man who can turn into a bunch of murderous crows).
There is such an ease to the way Rebecca Roanhorse worldbuilds, it is fantastic to read. You never feel overwhelmed and yet you feel like you know so much about this world. Wonderful sequel!!
Content warnings: murder, blood, gore, torture, injury detail, self harm (for magic), violence, body horror, sex, alcohol, toxic mother, grief, death, death of loved one, war
Graphic: Alcohol, Murder, Blood, Gore, War, Violence, Torture, Sexual content, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death, and Body horror