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numberdance's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot, and I loved being back in this world. But I really don't think you can read this without reading the previous trilogy.
Sybella! She's so protective and determined, and it's interesting to see all the people that applies to here, how she gets herself in trouble to help -- to show love to -- others. And I really appreciate how much work her self-image still needs; those issues weren't going to go away so fast.
And then Genevieve! She's very in the loop in some ways and out of it in others, and I think the difference between her and the others is that she doesn't know which is which. Her romantic subplot is also much more minor than it was for any of the others (though that may change in the next book?).
I have feelings about Charlotte, and she has a scene near the end that was both perfect and reassuring. I also have a lot of feelings about Marguerite, and I want good things for her.
Really happy to see more of the Arduinnites here!
Sybella! She's so protective and determined, and it's interesting to see all the people that applies to here, how she gets herself in trouble to help -- to show love to -- others. And I really appreciate how much work her self-image still needs; those issues weren't going to go away so fast.
And then Genevieve! She's very in the loop in some ways and out of it in others, and I think the difference between her and the others is that she doesn't know which is which. Her romantic subplot is also much more minor than it was for any of the others (though that may change in the next book?).
I have feelings about Charlotte, and she has a scene near the end that was both perfect and reassuring. I also have a lot of feelings about Marguerite, and I want good things for her.
Really happy to see more of the Arduinnites here!
Graphic: Murder and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Self harm, and Sexual assault
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It’s really incredible historical fiction with just a tiny hint of fantasy (with the assassins being daughters of Mortain and having some death-related abilities). The court intrigue and immersion in the world are unparalleled.
However: strong disclaimer that this series (and this book in particular, more than I remember from the first trilogy) contains lots of historically realistic violence against women, including coercing young women into being mistresses, death in childbirth, and humiliation relating to marriage and virginity.
However: strong disclaimer that this series (and this book in particular, more than I remember from the first trilogy) contains lots of historically realistic violence against women, including coercing young women into being mistresses, death in childbirth, and humiliation relating to marriage and virginity.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Sexual violence, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content
kaitbex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
fictionaladventures's review against another edition
3.0
Idk why people say you can read this duology without first reading the trilogy because to me it seemed like a direct sequel! It was good but I haven’t liked any of the sequels as much as Grave Mercy.
Moderate: Sexual content
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