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.themoodreader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death, Animal cruelty, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Death, Medical content, Confinement, Toxic friendship, Trafficking, Abandonment, Bullying, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, War, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Slavery
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
griffinthief'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Animal death, Blood, Violence, Gore, Death, Murder, Classism, Bullying, and Animal cruelty
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
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
beckycarter97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Gore, and Death