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sweetordinary'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
3.0
The political courtship navigation is a huge reason why I was intrigued to read this story. How Theodosia navigates it is quite painful to read let alone to follow along. I understand that I'm supposed to feel sympathy for her and rally behind her. However, there are events that occur which completely go off the rails because of her. Thus, my interests shift towards Blaise, Cress, Art, Heron, and Soren as more interesting lines of inquiry. I want to know more about their story, interests, personality, etc.
If I decide to read the sequel, it will be because of those characters not because of Theodosia.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, and War
words_and_dreams'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
4.0
This follows the story of Theo, a Princess whose kingdom was taken from an invading force and her mother killled in front of her as a child. She has grown up under the rule of the Kaiser who keeps her as a trophy, abusing and torturing her. She keeps her head down to avoid punishment.
Events transpire that awaken her from her almost complacency and make her want to fight back and retake the kingdom.
There is alot of elements that crop up in YA including a love triangle but I felt it did work in the context of the story. The stakes always felt high and with the torture etc it definitely had a darker vibe to it. It wasn't perfect but it got me out of a reading slump and was a great page turner.
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Grief
rinku's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Vomit, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Rape and Abandonment
saara_ilona_muu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bzliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Readers should beware that any glimpses of hope are few and far between as Theo plays a game she barely knows the rules to while everyone else wins by cheating. Like so many YA series, there are two more books so it’s not surprising truly how little is accomplished in this one. My biggest complaint is the same I have with so many other similar books- these characters fall in love so easily for no reason at all! I know the romance is a big draw for readers but it would be nice to see some of these protagonists stand on their own.
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
alyxbeau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape
whatischellereading'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
4.5
I loved the story as we find ourselves introduced to Thora as she lives in the palace with the king who invaded her kingdom. She lives as a plaything for him to humiliate so straight out the gate you hate the king (the Kaiser) and are whole-heartedly rooting for Thora.
The story is so tense all the way through - as soon as you think there is some reprieve, in comes another scene that gets your pulse racing.
I really liked the development between Thora and Soren and I'm interested to see how this develops in book 2, Lady Smoke. All the characters are compelling and you do develop strong emotions for all of them, whether it be love or hatred.
Marking this down by half a star due to the level of brutality in some scenes. It actually made my anxiety disorder rise and I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy that part of the story.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape
emjen16'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Vomit, and War
robin_leeann's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Slavery and Death of parent
hapalyn'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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape