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msrichardsreads89'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
I also love that El-Arifi made this a queer-normative world. It made my heart so happy. There are so many revelations about the magic system and world. However, I am so impressed by the depth of the lore, history, and magic of this world. It takes skill to interweave this into the plot so effortlessly. The plot twists did keep me on the edge of my seat and kept me wanting to read more. Most of them were phenomenal, but I did find some to be predictable.
There are some content warnings for this book. El-Arifi does not shy away from darker content. There is a scene towards the end of the book that will stay with me for a long time because it was so horrific and emotionally charged. It made the read very impactful. (CW: violence, torture, abuse, grief, addiction, religious bigotry, rape)
Objectively I think this is a very solid sequel. I was in a bit of a fantasy slump when I read this, so I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read it at a different time. I feel like the beginning and end were the best parts of the book and the middle dragged a a bit much for my personal taste. That being said, I did have a good time with this one, and I absolutely cannot wait to read the conclusion to this trilogy!
This is a fantastic fantasy series, and I highly recommend it! It deserves more love!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Grief, and Religious bigotry
mj_86'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
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
nekopersona'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
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Alcohol
fairyollie'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
5.0
I know people complain that Sylah and Anoor have regressed without one another, but long-distance relationships without means of communication would be HARD! can you even imagine?
all goes to say that I fear I will be empty until The Ending Fire is released (thankfully I have pre-ordered!)
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Gore, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Stalking, and Alcohol
abnerbee's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
fernanda_o'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
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Child death, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
porcupine_girl'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
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, and Sexual content
trashbin'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
annamariem_reads'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
5.0
HOLY SHIIIIT this was so good I'm gonna COMBUST! I was truly on the edge of my seat for the entirety of this book. I didn't think it could be any better than The Final Strife but I was very much proven wrong! I shouldn't be shocked thought because it's Saara and she always gives us BANGER AFTER BANGER AFTER BANGER!
Hassa and Kwame were such a lovely and welcome surprise. Also! Even though Anoor and Sylah were separated for this book, it did not detract from the story at all. I was not bored once and I was not wishing that they would both be back in the Warden's Empire together. Anoor's character really took a turn during this book and honestly I don't know how to feel about her anymore. I don't like her but I don't hate her? I don't know what exactly it is but I have FEELINGS. Also wtf was that with Jond???? Now I like him again???? I hope him and Kara end up together so he can finally move on from Sylah. But like... Saara you are truly giving us whiplash with these characters!!! And thank gods for the addition of Rascal. Lil cutie angel kitten!!! Can I also say how much I love the Elders? They are so cool and I want to hang out with them for a day in Chrysalis. Also, Nayeli's story is wild and I am here for it. 100% am here to support women's wrongs and feminine rage!!!!
The reveals towards the end had me slack-jawed!!!! How could Saara leave us hanging like that? I need book 3 IMMEDIATELY.
Graphic: Addiction, Torture, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Grief
lisacanteven'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use