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dejahentendu's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
LGBTQIA positive but with homophobia as well
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
nikkihill22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Abortion and Alcohol
bootrat'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: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death and Homophobia
Minor: Abortion
veggiestrawenjoyer13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia and Classism
Minor: Domestic abuse and Abortion
0ivy0'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
We follow a split POV between two women, connected by one man, as they strive for women's (and weaver's rights), developing as people on the way.
This is definitely not an emotionally easy read fantasy, it isn't all fun and silly, but it was still really enjoyable.
I loved the world, though it felt very much like magical realism which isn't really my favourite type of world-building. There was plenty of lore that affects the storyline and I did really enjoy the plot.
This was a slower-paced story but I really enjoyed that because it meant that plot points and emotions had time to set in.
I also really enjoyed the characters, they were both different, having opposing methods and thought processes which made it really interesting to see them strive towards the same thing and to see how they could both learn from each other.
Throughout were discussions about misogyny and oppression, including particular... checks...when a woman will get married, which was detailed and uncomfortable - but this was purposeful. The detail provided was needed and didn't feel excessive.
I enjoyed exploring the manipulation of the truth by people with power / authority, which is very compelling and relates to a lot of things that are happening in the world.
There wasn't really anything I disliked about this book, even though it isn't one I am very, very excited about because it was an emotionally heavy read. I will definitely be finishing the duology and am so glad I read this book.
Graphic: Misogyny and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Abortion
I have placed a tag for sexual violence due to the checks that an engaged woman must go through.kirchnerkd'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, Misogyny, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Homophobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Abortion and War
bobbyeight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
In light of recent events, I feel the need to specify that this is not going to be a glowing review, but it is an honest one. The star rating reflects my thoughts on the books but I'm providing a little bit (lol, feel the wall of text coming) of context to this rating, since it is quite harsh and I do not wish for people to think it is a fake review. Keep in mind that this is my personal perspective, and you are free to agree or disagree.
- The promise of the book does not deliver.
- The characters are unlikeable and extremely unidimensional.
- The writing is so grating, repetitive and overly descriptive. It has no finesse and frankly needed a lot more editing.
- It's supposed to be an adult novel, but it reads like a middle grade novel and frankly I've read better middle grades than this....
- The themes were promising, except they were treated in a way that left no room for nuance.
P.238 → "Her eyes were bloodshot, the bags under her eyes prominent."
P.251 → "Near the bed, a broad-shouldered older woman was hovering, a satchel in her hands. She had wide shoulders and a square jaw."
P.322-324 → In the span of two pages, the same character was described 3 times, every single time the only thing that was said was that he was "fidgeting".
P.330 → "She struggled to her feet and ran to the ambassador, struggling to stay upright."
P.336 "His limbs were at her mercy; all of him was at her mercy, and Nehal relished it."
P.340 "Perhaps she hadn't meant to kill the ambassador, or to cause the destruction of the courthouse, but she had certainly intended to cause harm, to hurt, to inspire fear in Naji. She had been reckless and malicious and now a man was dead at her hands, and so many people were injured." (Also for Giorgina it really came out of nowhere, just like her powers, when the plot needed it. It could've been a festering thing during the whole book, instead she was bland for 90% of it and then suddenly overly powerful with no training).
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion and Sexual harassment
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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Police brutality, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Abortion, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and War
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
The fantasy worldbuilding totally reminded me of Avatar: The Last Airbender (only because of recency bias, I just watched the new Netflix TV show lol), but I recognize that not every world built upon elements like earth, air, fire and water are only derivative of ATLA. ATLA does not own the copyright and was not the first to do that, I know that! I'm just saying the "weaving" reminded me of it, that's all!
Anyway, I do think the messaging of this women's suffrage movement was extremely heavy handed. Most of the examples of the sexism were overtly sexist and loudly misogynistic. Not too many subdued or covert behaviors displayed, which are sometimes helpful to illustrate too, to show how the patriarchy operates in such insidious ways! However, I didn't find the on-the-nose telling to be exhausting or unnecessary. We need things spelled out sometimes, and that's okay!
This book sets up Nehal and Giorgina's stories (they act a bit like foils against each other) perfectly for the next book in the duology, which I am excited to read! I have the arc so I can't wait to see how this all wraps up!
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, and War
Moderate: Abortion and Sexual harassment
saphfics'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
3.25
I think the author did a decent job with writing a very patriarchal society and the different effects it can have on very differen women. As well as how the (lack of) privileges different characters have will change how they approach the issue of women's right. The worlbuilding of the cityitself was quite vivid but when it comes to the religion I was left with many questions
At times it felt very on the nose with the way it handled its themes and there was a lot of repetition. Mostly to contrast the two main characters which again felt very on the nose. The story does delve I to why the two are so different and I do appreciate that.
I do feel like the two mains were very distinctive and had their own distinctive voices. However there was an imbalance to how much screen time I felt each of them were getting. Especially in the beginning. Which kind of makes me sad because I feel like we lost some characterization for both that character and the daughters of izdihar as a whole.
All around a pretty engaging read, mostly towards the end. I will read the next book to see how it ends
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Abortion
Minor: War