meg_'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
3.0
This was a super well fleshed out fantasy world and I absolutely loved the characters and the way they grow throughout the story. I especially loved getting to see Arin slowly defrost with Sylvia. This is for sure my type of romance subplot because they truly move forward romantically at a glacial pace.
Another element of this story that I really appreciated that I don't think gets fleshed out well in other books is the present day impact of all of the trauma that Sylvia experienced. She has many moments within the story where she has to use grounding techniques to regulate and be able to focus and there are times she experiences flashbacks and overwhelming feelings due to her past trauma. I felt this was all handled really well and written about in a way that actually felt realistic. I really appreciated that this element of Sylvia's past is discussed and described how it impacts her current daily life.
I will absolutely be reading whatever book(s) come next from this author and within this series.
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
ayvie'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'm unsure about the romance. I am having complicated feelings about it and need to let those stew a bit. Coming back to this - I honestly wish the romantic elements hadn't been involved at all in this book. It felt uncomfortable and a lot of it is outside my lane to really delve into. I do think the groundwork is laid for something here, and I'm unsure where it's going to lead (and honestly, I'd be happy if it led to no romance at all).
It felt like the point should have been discomfort and I'm unsure if that was entirely what was portrayed.
Graphic: Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Body horror, Torture, War, Murder, Xenophobia, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Colonisation
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
This book has a lot of violence depicted in its pages, but it never felt gratuitous. There's a ton of trauma (specifically explored for Sylvia). The child abuse, sexual assault, and rape are mentions regarding a secondary character.roseleebooks'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
4.0
Things that were done well were the pacing and the setup for the ending. There are multiple plot threads to pick up in the next book which could be frustrating for some readers. The key theme of dealing with past trauma and identity after being separated from the foundations of that identity was intriguingly explored throughout.
Spoiler
Also, establishing that the MC was an unreliable narrator partway through the story opens up a lot of possibilities going into the next portion of the series.There were several things that were problematic here with the FMCs relationship with the MMC,
Spoiler
including power imbalance and 🚩 behaviors from the MMC. Other reviews have commented on the colonizer/colonized aspect of it as well, which is off-putting. If the MMC goes full villain in the next book this would make much more sense to me, I'd like to assume the author has purposely laid this unsettling foundation. The love story was secondary to the main plot but the banter is where some of the twists and info reveals occurredOverall the writing was fairly smooth, the story moved along at a fast pace, and I found myself rethinking things that I took at face value initially about the characters and setting throughout as new information was revealed. I'll definitely be picking up the next book to see what happens next. This may change my review here depending on how some of the above issues are handled.
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Xenophobia, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, and Colonisation
Moderate: Alcohol, Murder, Mental illness, and Suicide
hailstorm3812's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Spoiler
SorayaSpoiler
Taking down corrupt monarchs and trying to kill the heir of the country that decimated yours, like she has a point.Spoiler
Dawoud only had one scene but it really hit.Spoiler
Also like, you are going to write insane amounts of heat, to the point where I, someone who is rooting for the antagonist to kill the love interest, thinks they should fuck, and when they finally act on their feels they only make out for a half a second. Come on.Graphic: War, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Torture, Death of parent, Death, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Child abuse, Child death, Body horror, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexism
bookswithbethx's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Confinement, Death of parent, Torture, Sexual violence, Slavery, Murder, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Child abuse, Colonisation, Genocide, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Drug use, Violence, Vomit, and War
kbairbooks'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
If you love N. Caceres and Chelsea Abdullah then you will LOVE Sara Hashem. This book was dark, cruel, and angry. But it was also a beautiful discovery that love is worthwhile, an incredible tale of friendship, and the most delicious slow burn I’ve come across in a while. The authors voice was so strong, the descriptions were so rich, and the world was so fleshed out. And Arin? UGH. YES. Everything about his, please and thank you. And that ending? PHEW!! I blew through it like my eyes were on fire and finishing the book was the fire extinguisher. SO GOOD. I can’t wait for book two!
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, War, Blood, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Animal death, Body horror, Classism, Drug use, and Misogyny
martine3'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, War, Child abuse, Blood, Violence, Torture, and Slavery
Moderate: Racism and Vomit
Finally something worth reading and engaging for me and real enemies to lovers (I hope). The only minor complaint is that the tournament is so often used in fantasy (and very similar to a mix between the Hunger Games and the Goblet of Fire) that it felt repetitive even though it was actually engaging. But I hope there won't be a focus on politics and specifically on other kingdoms later on because I am interested mainly in the main characters. I also hope for once that surprise pregnancy or a babylogue won't be employed (I don't dare dream for a heroine who is childfree or doesn't mention and occupy herself with children but I am fed up with Maas' natalist propaganda).n0elle'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
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, War, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
soniajoy98'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Classism, Cursing, Torture, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Incest, Rape, Child death, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and War
vohak'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
This book surprised me several times, made me laugh out loud, made me cry, and made me hope. My only problem is that now I have to wait for the sequel.
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, War, Torture, and Child abuse