The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
anoelle896's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Slavery, and Death
Moderate: Death, Gore, Grief, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Trafficking, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Slavery
jjnich's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Death of parent, Violence, and War
Moderate: Drug use, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Incest, Murder, and Kidnapping
lh_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, War, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Incest
This series had me in a chokehold and I loved every bit of it. It definitely ended how I expected but not fully, some pages have my tear stains. I loved the development with Damen and Laurent relationship and watching it grow. I enjoyed the series as a whole but this was definitely my favoritesophie42's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Grief
amabalama's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, and Slavery
20sidedbi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Slavery, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape and Trafficking
louisa_pennyfeather2021's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Slavery, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, War, Violence, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Pedophilia, Cursing, Incest, Infidelity, Murder, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy and Child death
ticktock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
magicshop'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
4.0
 Damen said, 'I made him a promise.'
'And when he learns who you are?' said Jord. 'When he learns that he is facing Damianos on the field?'
'Then he and I meet each other for the first time,' said Damen. 'That was also a promise.'
well, here we are. after rereading this trilogy immediately after finishing it in just a few days for the first time, it's time for a last review. this one might end up a little short, because to be honest i feel like i've said my piece about the series at this point, but i do have a few important points i want to highlight.
Â
the good
Â
- everything that was good about the previous volumes is still present here, so refer to my reviews of book 1 and 2 for more details.
- the push-and-pull of the main relationship somehow stays fresh despite how long it spends in that limbo of not-quite-being. pacat is simply put very, very good at crafting believable tension between characters.
- so much delightful fanservice, again. i can see how for some people this would be in the bad or at least complicated section, but to me, having that many scenes clearly written to fulfill a specific desire in a long-starving queer reader can be nothing but positive. things are getting better for lgbtqia+ people, but there is still a lack — in media, especially. pacat does a wonderful job of helping fill that void.
the bad
Â
- the ending is a bit too neatly wrapped up, in my honest opinion. on one hand,
i'm happy damen and laurent get to be together and that the kingdoms end up united in peace , but there were a couple of deus ex machinas pulled out from the aether in order for that to happen, and it all could've been done much more expertly and with far more preamble and build-up.
the complicated
Â
- many of the most oppressed, most tragic characters, ultimately have a hand in bringing aboutÂ
the prosperous, peaceful ending . i was very glad about this, but it does also bring the question of whether they had to suffer their own respective sad endings at all. sacrifices must be made in every story, and i'm satisfied about the way things did happen, but i just — wonder. how would their world have beenÂwith nicaise still in it? and i'll always wonder. i guess it's time to find some fic, huh!
like i said, this review is a bit shorter than my usual, but i think it's very hard to put my exact thoughts and feelings about this book into words for the time being, still. maybe on another reread i'll come back and edit this. but for now, this is goodbye. thank you, pacat, for treating my heart tenderly through this wonderful journey. :)
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death
wrensandroses'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: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, and War