Scan barcode
meluxmade's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
I just feel like the ending was so rushed and unexpected it doesn’t matter that there’s a sequel. Also I hated the way Flowra’s decisions was based upon constantly liking and prioritizing Ayla, I wish she was vengeful and morally grey just because it pleases her and for herself and no one else. Also I’m sorry I couldn’t get over the abuse of how violent Ayla was with her and how Ayla didn’t respect her first wish. It’s like she forgave her too quickly. I hate how the other characters view her as their naive little girl like she’s a toy dangling there to be saved and protected, it’s just so weird. I wish they explored Flowra as a complex character instead throughout the whole book. However I’m glad that the book explored the themes of trauma and the impact of trauma in how it could inform and influence one’s decision.
I just feel like the ending was so rushed and unexpected it doesn’t matter that there’s a sequel. Also I hated the way Flowra’s decisions was based upon constantly liking and prioritizing Ayla, I wish she was vengeful and morally grey just because it pleases her and for herself and no one else. Also I’m sorry I couldn’t get over the abuse of how violent Ayla was with her and how Ayla didn’t respect her first wish. It’s like she forgave her too quickly. I hate how the other characters view her as their naive little girl like she’s a toy dangling there to be saved and protected, it’s just so weird. I wish they explored Flowra as a complex character instead throughout the whole book. However I’m glad that the book explored the themes of trauma and the impact of trauma in how it could inform and influence one’s decision.
furaleii's review
was too instalove for me and the MC seemed like a child. it might have been a YA idk but i didn’t vibe with it
3dking's review against another edition
In my eyes this is high fantasy and with this genre come a handful of tropes I don't like very much, but which seem to be a staple of it. Character motivation is superficial at best, curiosity non-existent and many events aren't really talked about, just accepted.
The world building is intriguing and vast, the story setup for an epic hero journey. If your looking for something great, this might be for you.
The world building is intriguing and vast, the story setup for an epic hero journey. If your looking for something great, this might be for you.
frighter's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rachowl_gk's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
e_oneita's review
4.0
This is a dark, brutal, funny, and twisted novel (and series!) that is truly unique in its world-building. Oh, there are elves and gods and demons (and dwarfs), but none quite like you've ever known them before. Plus, despite some truly nasty things that many of the characters do (frequently), essentially every character is sympathetic, if not outright likeable. Oddly, the main character of Flowridia is most annoying for being so dang accepting of some truly awful things done to her but . Besides that, she does experience some great character growth in Book 2, which is reason enough to pick up the sequel after finishing this!
All that being said, the main relationship is pretty awful and abusive, which knocks it down one star for me in that I wouldn't want any impressionable teen to read this and think that's ok (for the same reasons I think it sucks that my generation had Twilight as a shining example of romance). However, having now read the second book, I think the author is handling the relationship well and being honest about its problematic qualities- I just wish that reflection came out a little more in this first book.
Spoiler
it does transpire that her blind acceptance and somewhat cow-like dopey love saves her lifeAll that being said, the main relationship is pretty awful and abusive, which knocks it down one star for me in that I wouldn't want any impressionable teen to read this and think that's ok (for the same reasons I think it sucks that my generation had Twilight as a shining example of romance). However, having now read the second book, I think the author is handling the relationship well and being honest about its problematic qualities- I just wish that reflection came out a little more in this first book.
maevehext's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
jenamatic's review against another edition
2.0
The overall story was okay but I could not bring myself to like Ayla and that kind of ruined the whole thing for me. As the main character’s love interest, I also couldn’t just ignore her for the sake of the story. She wasn’t even dark, she was just straight up violent, exploding on Flowridia and breaking her arm and nearly her back at one point.
Speaking of Flowridia, she has a dark past but not a dark heart and yet we see her wish for Sora’s murder because Sora threatened her familiar. She also wished for it to be done in a way that wouldn’t link her and Ayla to Sora’s death so when Sora is brought back to life, does she expect to get away with it? What is stopping Sora from ratting her out?
I also cannot figure out the order between this series and the Sea and Stars series because Khastra dies at the end of this book but is alive throughout that series so I assume it has to take place after? But I could have sworn Alauriel Solviraes was the ancestor to the monarch in Sea and Stars.
For as much as I loved the Sea and Stars series, I was really looking forward to this one. I barely finished this book, however, and don’t think I can bring myself to read the rest of them.
Speaking of Flowridia, she has a dark past but not a dark heart and yet we see her wish for Sora’s murder because Sora threatened her familiar. She also wished for it to be done in a way that wouldn’t link her and Ayla to Sora’s death so when Sora is brought back to life, does she expect to get away with it? What is stopping Sora from ratting her out?
I also cannot figure out the order between this series and the Sea and Stars series because Khastra dies at the end of this book but is alive throughout that series so I assume it has to take place after? But I could have sworn Alauriel Solviraes was the ancestor to the monarch in Sea and Stars.
For as much as I loved the Sea and Stars series, I was really looking forward to this one. I barely finished this book, however, and don’t think I can bring myself to read the rest of them.
demongrrl's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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