maladaptivebookdreaming'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A fantastic debut and man what a damn writer. I am so excited to get my hands on the second book!
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, War, and Grief
Moderate: Slavery and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault
kystarbucks'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
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Death of parent, War, Misogyny, Blood, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Rape and Slavery
paigereitz'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: Classism, Death, Grief, Colonisation, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, War, and Violence
taylorthewitch's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Death, Death of parent, Racism, and War
maggies'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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Death of parent, Grief, War, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Confinement, and Abandonment
Minor: Police brutality, Sexual violence, and Rape
emkplatts'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, War, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Classism, Sexual violence, War, Violence, Slavery, Kidnapping, Death, and Car accident
Minor: Rape, Transphobia, Pregnancy, Murder, Kidnapping, and Colonisation
decembermagpie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Classism, Gore, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Racism, Sexism, War, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Slavery, Child death, Rape, and Vomit
rberdan'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
5.0
I know enough about Arthurian legend to understand what’s going on, but I wouldn’t say I’m typically drawn to these stories, which is a testament to the author’s skill at storytelling. Sure, there were some predictable bits… it’s a YA novel and I expect this… but there were also some things I didn’t see coming and some different story elements in terms of both magic and the interweaving of power, elitism, and racism that were deftly woven. By the end of the noon I was already fully invested, and then when I read the author’s notes I retroactively had an even deeper appreciation for the work.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Classism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Violence, and War
Moderate: Murder, Bullying, and Slavery
Minor: Sexual violence and Rape
bimess_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The story captivated me but sometimes it made me put it away. Loved the magic systems introduced in this story. Bree's grief struck a personal cord of mine. And it made it difficult to read sometimes. Anyway, the plot twists didn't really feel like twists? But it still surprised me 🤭
Sometimes I thought if I was really reading YA.
But it was good. I would've given it five stars.
Graphic: Grief, Racism, War, Misogyny, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Car accident and Transphobia
gabriella_'s review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Tracy Deonn is excellent at character writing and establishing interpersonal dynamics (and conflicts). She also creates a unique atmosphere with obvious (and not so obvious) foes. She empowers her protagonist and makes her multifaceted. She breathes life into Bree and, as a reader, makes her feel so real. And this doesn’t get into how she writes an ensemble cast either - good GOD I would be remiss if I didn’t get into that.
Every character contributes something to the plot and it’s amazing that this author finds a way to do that without rendering them to be one-note or just a plot device. She has a plan for every character - and pieces of dialogue have a way of retaining relevance chapters later in a refreshing way.
I wish I had a book like this when I was a kid. 2,000/10 recommend reading this book if you are interested in fantasy and coming of age books. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Tracy Deonn, thank you for writing this.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Blood, Body horror, Death, Car accident, Child death, Violence, Kidnapping, Racism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Classism, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and War