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
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
szuum'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Grief, Violence, Addiction, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Dementia, and Animal death
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Pedophilia, and Suicide
narsere'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Animal death and Torture
amanduhhhpls'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? It's complicated
5.0
Every single one of these characters is so interesting and the way they interplay together with the politics of the clans is even more interesting. This was the kind of story I'm so glad was written for adults because the depth of the darkness and violence only added to the stakes of the story.
The magic system and the way the jade and its synthetic counterpart, shine, function is so fascinating and unique. There are hard limits to the power of jade and it makes the struggle for power all the more interesting. I also love how isolated this war is in the grander fantasy world created here. This is ultimately about power, honor, loyalty, and above all, family, and I ate up every second of it.
This book is worth every single ounce of hype it's been given.
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Animal death
Moderate: Violence
sarah984'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
This book really just blew me away. It's a family saga, and a gangster novel, and a story about a formerly isolated nation forced to confront the wider world and figure out how to live alongside it. The world (especially the advantages and drawbacks of jade magic and how that is integrated) is fascinating, and all of the characters feel like real people. This book is long but not a single word feels wasted - everything that comes up even once matters.
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Animal death, Medical content, Murder, Xenophobia, Addiction, Dementia, and Grief
Minor: War, Bullying, Homophobia, Slavery, Ableism, Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, Infidelity, Mass/school shootings, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, and Torture
horizonous's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Xenophobia, Animal death, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Animal cruelty, Pedophilia, Self harm, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Infidelity
◦ Death (minor) = Parent◦ Death (moderate) = Sibling
◦ Terminal illness = Dementia
alouette'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
4.5
Spoiler
the shock and anger i felt at lan-jen's death was quite visceral because of that.also, i can't forget to mention that the action sequences were thrilling, keeping the book fast-paced, and the descriptions of the magic system were breathtaking. though i'll definitely need a break before diving into book 2, i'm excited to see where this high fantasy goes next.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Murder, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
victorianrogue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, and Stalking