cleo_reads's review against another edition
3.5
This book does subvert some of the usual Chosen One tropes and I found that interesting. I also found the world building interesting.
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
It starts out as a typical high fantasy but I have a feeling that in the rest of the trilogy, it will be revealed to be SF in the style of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series or Sharon Shinn's Samaria series.mandkips'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
3.25
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, and Animal death
alyj1991'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
Minor: Child death, Violence, Slavery, and Sexual harassment
mozzribo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Spoiler
The world seemingly tries not to be Earth, yet they use the Arabic alphabet. That was pretty unnecessary and immersion shattering. Then, the main villain of this book is evil just because he is, fueled by his genetics that make him strong way above average ("fingers around which a child can't wrap their own fingers", and then predictably he gets possessed by demons and becomes even eviler. Give me a break.Spoiler
A tortured donkey elicits a bigger emotional response than most of the people who have very little to their character besides some quirks. Possibly because that is the only instance where some sort of justice isn't served instantly.Spoiler
There are some other clichés, like an implied sci-fi past, which is fine though not much is revealed, and two types of magical power sources: the one that can be "tapped" into at the risk of corruption, and the other that grants more power while in the proximity of some sort of "phlebotinum". Yet, my biggest issue with the whole book was obviously the troublesome eugenics trope. Not only is it boring that some people are different without merit, but it is a stupid and dangerous idea, as anyone with common sense has already realised. This idea doesn't help the narrative as it doesn't involve me, as a reader, deeper into the lore. It doesn't serve as a key element to the plot, the book could have done without it. I just shake my head whenever it is mentioned. And then there are "blood mixings" with some of the people being "pure" while others even a "perfect mix" of sorts. Don't get me wrong: the book is not racist in the modern sense, but this idea – that some are born to be better in some way than those of different bloodlines – is just lame to me and averts me from the world of the novel.In many ways, it is an ambiguous novel, with some qualities shining through the lines, while some problems drag it down into the mediocre. Exposure is often written just a few breaths before they become relevant, while some events are embedded throughout and serve as a genuine surprise in retrospect. It often reads like a young adult novel, with ideas that have been old and overused more than twenty years ago. Yet, there are plentiful gems inside it in terms of engaging, masterful writing and witty thoughts that make it rise above the average young adult novel (and increase my rating). For that alone, it was a worthwhile journey.
Sadly the ending, while pretty much sudden and a cutting off with a cliffhanger, doesn't draw me to explore further.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Animal death, Torture, Violence, Child death, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Bullying, and Cursing
ailsaod'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
Spoiler
child deathModerate: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Blood, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Classism and Death of parent
bluejayreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Bullying
Minor: Ableism and Gore
strange's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Toxic friendship
thebetterstory'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
4.25
The writing is a lively mixture of classic tropes and new twists on the formula. The worldbuilding is doled out my preferred way, in tiny bursts and only when it's directly relevant to the characters lives' in some way. The prose is also pleasantly unpretentious, focusing on imparting clear information rather than dazzling with elaborate descriptions or turns of phrase. It makes this eminently readable, which is great for the tightly-paced plot and action sequences.
Nona, the protagonist, leans into being a power fantasy, which I suppose might annoy people who for some reason do not enjoy watching little girls behead grown men in vengeance, but as she's also being constantly beset by horrible circumstances I'd say she's still quite easy to root for, as is the motley cast of friends she gathers around herself as the novel progresses.
There was one particular bit I found annoying, which had to do with the girls (who do at least have the excuse of being very young) refusing to disclose important information to the adults in their lives because they're scared of the consequences, even when it becomes obvious those consequences could be dire. Luckily, nobody's holding onto the idiot ball for longer than a plot-essential arc or so before it's dropped.
By the time I was a quarter of the way through the book, I was already reserving the rest of the series from the library and settling in to marathon as much as I could. This was my first book by this author, and I'm certain I'll be digging back through his previous trilogies to see if they're as delightful as this one is so far.
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Violence
Minor: Ableism and Bullying
alexture'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: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Torture, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism
kylieqrada'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
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, and Toxic friendship