The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
jaerishyuk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexism, War, and Death
empathreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
A lot of events unfolded throughout the novel, which was overwhelming, but it was understandable from the fact that the author had a desired flow of action for its characters. There was this push and pull manner that can end up frustrating readers as there are various challenges being faced by the heroine, one of which the other voice, as the demon inside Maia, really evokes that temptation to pull her on the evil side. In trailing for the last chapters of the book, there was still that confusion tugging at the character, making you choose between good and evil. Though I appreciated how the story ended with her troubles not solved just on her own but with the involvement of those she loved and has loved, it spoke of fairytales and myths, and it spoke of life and the ordinary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Grief, Murder, Violence, and War
beyondapage's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Gore, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Slavery
matheo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, Body horror, Death, Gore, Animal death, Blood, Colonisation, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
emmaowens's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, and War
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Honestly, I didn't care about any of the characters in this book. The only character that had some potential was Lady Sarnai but she ended up not doing anything either so overall I just found this book to be super disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: War and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
astoryofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
- 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
3.0
I liked this sequel, it was an enjoyable read. I'm sure I would have read it in just a few days if I had more time for me these last few days 😅
Still, I found this book to go both too fast and too slow. The important events were flown over, so it lacked a little depth. I also had a harder time feeling connected to Maia, the main character, despite everything she has to go through.
Still, I found this book to go both too fast and too slow. The important events were flown over, so it lacked a little depth. I also had a harder time feeling connected to Maia, the main character, despite everything she has to go through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, Torture, Emotional abuse, and Grief
elle_dee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, War, Blood, and Grief
journeythroughthechapters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Thoughts
What a conclusion!!! First off I want to say 3/4 of this book was a 3 star but that last quarter was 5 stars.
I was genuinely shocked at how little I was enjoying the first half of the book. There was no plot, things moved very slow and I had no idea where the story was going. We traveled a little but even that was underwhelming. And I like when characters travel in books. But I’m glad I pushed to the end because it made it worth it in the end.
Things I liked
- The Characters: There is a shift in the main character that is to be expected if you continue the story. HOWEVER throughout all that she remained true to herself and her family. I love that family remains a theme through both novels and if that is something you enjoy then you might like this. We see less of one of my fav characters which is probably why I hated the start but he’s there in the end so I’ll forgive the book haha.
- The Relationships: This also has a focus on new friendships. One a true friendship the other a mutual respect. I don’t want to spoil the book but I found the mutual respect dynamic fascinating. It goes to show that while you don’t have to like everyone you can still be respectful.
- The Writing: I’m a simple women I like my writing basic and to the point. And while Elizabeth Lim has beautiful descriptions they aren’t convoluted so I can understand them which is what I want from a book.
Things I didn’t love
- The Pacing: like I mentioned this was PAINFULLY slow at the start. I kept wanting to put it down. It didn’t hold my attention like the first but I pushed through. And I’m glad.
- The Plot: The combination of pacing and lack of plot is what in my opinion let the book down. I understand what the author was trying to do by focusing in on Maia but it was too much of the same thing.
But overall a beautiful duology. Sadly not one of my favourites but one I would highly recommend.
Representation
POC (Asian Rep), Gay (side character)
Trigger Warning
Violence, Abuse, Animal Death
What a conclusion!!! First off I want to say 3/4 of this book was a 3 star but that last quarter was 5 stars.
I was genuinely shocked at how little I was enjoying the first half of the book. There was no plot, things moved very slow and I had no idea where the story was going. We traveled a little but even that was underwhelming. And I like when characters travel in books. But I’m glad I pushed to the end because it made it worth it in the end.
Things I liked
- The Characters: There is a shift in the main character that is to be expected if you continue the story. HOWEVER throughout all that she remained true to herself and her family. I love that family remains a theme through both novels and if that is something you enjoy then you might like this. We see less of one of my fav characters which is probably why I hated the start but he’s there in the end so I’ll forgive the book haha.
- The Relationships: This also has a focus on new friendships. One a true friendship the other a mutual respect. I don’t want to spoil the book but I found the mutual respect dynamic fascinating. It goes to show that while you don’t have to like everyone you can still be respectful.
- The Writing: I’m a simple women I like my writing basic and to the point. And while Elizabeth Lim has beautiful descriptions they aren’t convoluted so I can understand them which is what I want from a book.
Things I didn’t love
- The Pacing: like I mentioned this was PAINFULLY slow at the start. I kept wanting to put it down. It didn’t hold my attention like the first but I pushed through. And I’m glad.
- The Plot: The combination of pacing and lack of plot is what in my opinion let the book down. I understand what the author was trying to do by focusing in on Maia but it was too much of the same thing.
But overall a beautiful duology. Sadly not one of my favourites but one I would highly recommend.
Representation
POC (Asian Rep), Gay (side character)
Trigger Warning
Violence, Abuse, Animal Death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief
water_violin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Xenophobia