matcha_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I dove head first into this book and was mesmerized by the story, the world, and the evocative descriptions. I love a slow burn, layered approach to building character relationships. And that's exactly what we get with Livira, Evar, and their respective friends and family. We follow them across time as they uncover the mysterious of the Library and what that knowledge yields. The themes of history repeats itself and how knowledge can be wielded as a tool really drive the plot. The world building was spectacular and magical, I felt like I was part of the world.
There were a few nods to pop-culture or our history ("we're not in kansas anymore" or the Raven's name) that pulled me out of the book, but didn't impede my enjoyment. However, some parts did get repetitive and not in a meaningful way. I don't think it's a stylistic choice because it's mostly world building elements or past events that get rephrased every so often.
I can't wait for the next book in April 2024!
There were a few nods to pop-culture or our history ("we're not in kansas anymore" or the Raven's name) that pulled me out of the book, but didn't impede my enjoyment. However, some parts did get repetitive and not in a meaningful way. I don't think it's a stylistic choice because it's mostly world building elements or past events that get rephrased every so often.
I can't wait for the next book in April 2024!
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Grief, Classism, and Xenophobia
wrendezvoused's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Grief, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, War, and Violence
plume_de_renarde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
curiosityp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Having dipped into being a fantasy and science fiction reader over the decades, this book is so original that I find it's like nothing I've ever read before. The action and world-building are unique for me but the complex epic saga of book-related character development and journey does remind me of "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern. I don't often read books that are 500+ pages but this novel was so fascinating, absorbing, and at the end, suspenseful action. This book is emotional and reflective involving the themes of knowledge, power, race, and class divisions. The "to be continued" ending means I will be reading the next book in this series because I love the characters and want to see what happens next.
I am grateful to NetGalley for access to the ARC.
I am grateful to NetGalley for access to the ARC.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Violence
Moderate: War, Grief, Classism, and Racism
Being the first book in the series, the world-building involves descriptions of racism, classism, violence and war. The ending is hopeful toward the rest of the series being about those themes changing.
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