nphoban's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
thebookaholic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
readwithdes's review against another edition
4.0
Alas after a long, long, long treacherous journey, I have finally finished this book. I actually think this the first fantasy book I’ve read and finished! Me and fantasy don’t gel, and this is one of those instances where I most definitely judged the book by its cover and it worked out. It’s so captivating!!!
I will say ultimately I ended up really loving this book and it gave me a massive book hangover. The major plot twist got me good!!! Bree is such an empowering character, and this book would have been my entire personality if I read it in high school. I loved the cultural aspects of this book. The Black Girl Magic, if you will.
The world-building and info-dumping in the beginning did confuse me a little, and I was struggling to keep up, but once I understood what was happening, I couldn’t put it down! Especially when it really picked up in the second half! Also, I was reminded on bookstagram that Bree is only 16, and I keep forgetting about that; like why couldn’t she at least be 21? The love triangle would make more sense if this were the case.
I will say ultimately I ended up really loving this book and it gave me a massive book hangover. The major plot twist got me good!!! Bree is such an empowering character, and this book would have been my entire personality if I read it in high school. I loved the cultural aspects of this book. The Black Girl Magic, if you will.
The world-building and info-dumping in the beginning did confuse me a little, and I was struggling to keep up, but once I understood what was happening, I couldn’t put it down! Especially when it really picked up in the second half! Also, I was reminded on bookstagram that Bree is only 16, and I keep forgetting about that; like why couldn’t she at least be 21? The love triangle would make more sense if this were the case.
kiwij96's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Bree's story covers so much in terms of family history, history, grief, power, friendship, and self discovery. It is very well written in some respects - a modern-world YA fantasy with links to Black history, world history, mythology and folklore. The worldbuilding, mythology and magic systems are well-researched and well-written, and it even includes Cymraeg (Welsh) words and phrases (which, as a Cymraes, I absolutely ADORED).
My only gripe is that at times things felt a little rushed or poorly explained compared to the rest of the story. Patricia would massively overstep at times which was uncomfortable. And even the romance was rushed given that they'd known each other for what, 3 days? Also the fact that Bree is 16 and everyone else is like 18+.
However, this is perhaps the best YA book I have read in a long while. And I need the sequel immediately.
My only gripe is that at times things felt a little rushed or poorly explained compared to the rest of the story. Patricia would massively overstep at times which was uncomfortable. And even the romance was rushed given that they'd known each other for what, 3 days? Also the fact that Bree is 16 and everyone else is like 18+.
However, this is perhaps the best YA book I have read in a long while. And I need the sequel immediately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Slavery, Racism, Death of parent, Grief, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Rape
athenaantares's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.25
re_becci's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
4.0
lprelei's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
paigeleigh's review against another edition
3.0
This was just ok. The world building in terms of the location and atmosphere felt non existent, and the magic system/types of magic users is so poorly explained that by the end of the book I still could not describe even one thing about it to you.
Way too many side characters to allow for any kind of connection to any one character in particular and all of the deaths in the final battle seemed insignificant because of it.
I love Bree, but the insta-love thing her and Nick have going on is just not it. I’m not a big romance girl so I’m very particular about the type of romance I do enjoy and this is just … bad.
I do however love this books approach to handling grief and family ancestry. I also love reading from the perspective of a beautifully strong POC in a predominantly white environment and watching her kick ass and win hearts. As she should.
Way too many side characters to allow for any kind of connection to any one character in particular and all of the deaths in the final battle seemed insignificant because of it.
I love Bree, but the insta-love thing her and Nick have going on is just not it. I’m not a big romance girl so I’m very particular about the type of romance I do enjoy and this is just … bad.
I do however love this books approach to handling grief and family ancestry. I also love reading from the perspective of a beautifully strong POC in a predominantly white environment and watching her kick ass and win hearts. As she should.