bearystarry's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spoiler
I cried multiple times at Lan's death and how people mourned him afterward as well. Oof. Honestly stunning emotional writing in that sense.Graphic: Dementia, Drug use, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Kidnapping, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Abandonment, Death, Injury/injury detail, War, Mental illness, Murder, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, and Gun violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Fatphobia, and Ableism
leanne_miron'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
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Violence, War, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Medical content, Xenophobia, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment
maregred'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, War, Sexual content, Dementia, Injury/injury detail, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, Animal death, Addiction, Grief, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Sexism, Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
lanid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Sexism, Torture, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Injury/injury detail, Violence, War, Addiction, Body horror, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Gun violence, and Xenophobia
serena_hien's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Injury/injury detail, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and War
Minor: Rape, Pedophilia, Death of parent, and Suicide
wolfed'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: Grief, Violence, Injury/injury detail, Death, Cursing, Gun violence, and Drug use
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Racism, Sexual content, War, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Dementia, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
lainiereads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Drug use, War, Grief, Violence, Death, Drug abuse, Murder, Gun violence, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Torture
just_one_more_paige's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, War, Gun violence, Grief, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Addiction, Colonisation, Drug use, and Xenophobia
Minor: Kidnapping
_azure76's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Injury/injury detail, Violence, Death, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: War
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There is a lot to follow in this book and I worried about losing track of the many characters or their importance to the story. Sometimes, there are full chapters that are told from the perspective of a side character. Initially, I was confused by this. Why would there be a heavy focus on such random, seemingly unimportant people? But I'm glad I didn't give up on trying to understand what was happening. Every single chapter makes a difference. Every single character furthers the story, no matter how small their role is.
I'm currently under the assumption that the only reason I don't fully understand the jade magic is because this was only the first book and it's meant to come into play later on. However, I would have liked just a little more explanation of that and even the way the shine drug affected those who used it. There were moments that helped me understand bits and pieces, but certain deaths left me reeling because I had no clue what the true cause was.
The political intrigue was what, shockingly, kept my attention the most. I was fascinated by the gang war and what was happening on either side to induce further violence and panic. The ranks of the Green Bones was also really interesting to me and the almost "heirarchy" within each group was equally intriguing. I even enjoyed the chapters with the lore behind the Green Bones and why certain people fell into certain roles - even down to how they approached death or destruction.
While I definitely believe this is the kind of book to read only when you're in the mood for a "thinker," I highly recommend it. I greatly look forward to seeing what comes next!
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, Medical trauma, Torture, Addiction, Blood, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racial slurs, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, War, Grief, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury