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elffrommars'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? It's complicated
3.5
Unfortunately, the first books plot was so epic that there isn't much to follow up on. I see this happen time and time again: the first book/movie/season is so epic that there isn't a way to one up. The plot becomes a tried and true but basic trope of overpowering the government.
There are the usual faves of J. Maas:
- uncontrollable and mysterious magic powers
- enemies and to friends and lovers
- secretly a good guy!
- secretly a bad guy!
- love that is so important that it's actually pre-destined (seriously, I could do without the mate crap)
There were a couple of minor twists that got me, and the ending that mixes CC with ACOTAR is interesting but also kind of messy and seriously encroaching on MCU territory. The biggest 'twist' I saw coming from a mile away because she never changed anything up and it's broadcast from the beginning LOL.
That being said, the characterisation is a smidge better, and I do think there is some great world building at work here. I can tell J. Maas really wants to be the next Cassie Clare, with worlds and characters that spand centuries and interconnect with each other. I get it, and I think she could do it, if she'd learn how to stretch a plot over more than one book and a romance, too. She has a tendency to rush everything, creating a dull narrative with little promise for reward. Seriously I was bored until about page 500!
Maybe the next one will be better :)
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
tzyla'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
5.0
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Slavery, Police brutality, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
stephaniemcuervo'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
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Infertility, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
kschupner'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Genocide, Gun violence, Torture, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Infertility, Sexual violence, and Fire/Fire injury
lokidotter'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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
kinsportch'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
kbowles24'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
ksilvio'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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
daniofthewood'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? No
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
barbarianmissy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was a rollercoaster start to finish. I loved seeing everyone’s personalities truly unfold and the relationships build. I really loved the scooby gang camaraderie between all the main group.
Also, SJM seriously knows how to turn out a PLOT TWIST! I gasped “WHAT?!?” In happiness, anger, surprise, and disgust multiple times!
Although, I was quite pleased with myself that I was able to figure out a big twist in who Day was pretty early on!
A few new favs worth honourable mention:
- I will always and forever be obsessed with fire sprites, they’re my girlies. The triplets have taken my whole heart.
-Ithan, you sweet little man, you. I hope you and no-name-dunk-tank-alpha-mystic-wolf-lady are mates, I’d love that for you.
-Baxian, don’t die even though I feel like you will. I want you to find happiness again pls. Don’t make the next book a puppy snuff book, SJM (I’m aware it’s already written, but I’m manifesting)
I want to put Cormac on my list but I honestly never took to him. He was meh. Tamlin vibes are never good vibes. Glad he took about Pippi Longstocking though, she was a BEEEEYOTCH!
Side note: Danika was not a good friend??? Like Bryce didn’t even know her in the least bit. She didn’t even share that she had a friggin mate with Bryce in idle girl talk???? Like???? I feel bad for Bryce who literally told her absolutely everything, her deepest, darkest secrets, and loved her so much and she pretty much got a hollow party girl stranger who didn’t trust her in return.
IN CONCLUSION! I can’t wait for book 3!!! I can’t believe all of my old imaginary friends may be becoming friends with my new imaginary friends. We should all have a sleepover!
🕺💃
Anywho! HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW IM COMING FOR YOU!
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail