mordshunger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
First: cw slavery apologetics incoming I guess.
Spoiler
It's clear there is a full redemption ark coming up for Helen. She may change, but she cannot be excused. I will do my due diligence and continue with this series. If I am wrong, I will come back and delete this. But if I am right, she will continue to be an actual romantic interest, which is frankly disgusting at this point. If he ends up with Helen or even entertains the idea, this is a 1. She is an unforgivable heartless and evil bitch. She really only does good for him, and not because it is right. She would have had a hundred slaves die and sleep like a baby. And buhuhuhu she is so sad that anyone would think she is evil. Her dramatic explanation doesn't actually explain "everything" - her actions and words about slaves and slavery were not necessary for her deal. They were the truth.Otherwise, loosely in order as I thought while reading:
Pretty standard ya fare, it's okay. It made me laugh in places because everyone is obviously hot, everyone has a distinct mysterious smell, moves with grace, has an indescribable eye colour that shifts with their emotions and so on and so on. Strong debut energy on this one, but as a teenager I wouldn't have minded. Main character has "golden" eyes. It's really laid on thick. MC continuosly gets down on herself about being weak or looking bad and I am quite tired of the projected glow up to a confident and desired warrior hero... Oh lord now it's labour vs management in the resistance.
There is a lot of clumsy exposition and more telling than showing. Familiar set-up and predictable backstory and first act.
It is very important the reader is reminded every few pages how wonderfully slim and attractive the women are. Apart from different wild eye and hair colour combinations, I'd say all women all slender goddesses with sensual curves. Unless they are old and scarred. Good grief.
His chapters are more enjoyable. But - Take a shot every time he calls Helen a "girl" in a derogatory way.
It's a good thing Laia is otherworldly hot, otherwise this book would be hard pressed to make some major plot happen. It appears to be the sole reason for any man interacting with her or helping her.
Graphic: Rape, Violence, War, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Death, Torture, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Colonisation, Blood, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
aimicampbell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Blood, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Sexual assault, Violence, Slavery, Rape, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
griffinthief's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Police brutality, Blood, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit and Trafficking
booksanna'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
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Colonisation, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, War, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Gore, Gaslighting, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexual content
scandinavian_queen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, War, Xenophobia, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Sexual violence, Genocide, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Abortion
rebeca_readss'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
4.75
Stunning! I have read this book in 4 days because I couldn’t take my hands of off it! The writing is beautiful and the plot is incredible! Lila. I love her. She’s a bad*ss. Elias is my new book boyfriend :). I love them and I love Sabaa ❤️
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Police brutality, and Sexism
smiley_ari's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Death
trazimmariju's review against another edition
- 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: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence