shaylaeliz'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? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Trafficking
Minor: Slavery
silviacea's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Sexual content, Vomit, Violence, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Rape
kayanoelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Interesting premise so I'm excited for part 2. The story is very dark and brutal so you should definitely be aware of that! Auren was a great protagonist and a real delight despite her situation.
The world building is amazing and easy to understand!
Spoiler
I didn't like how all the girls/ women hated each other when it was really the men who were the problem so I hope that the feminism comes through in the next books.One thing I would criticize is that I didn't get what the plot of the series is supposed to be, it felt a little random but I guess (and hope) it's gonna get more obvious in the next book.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Rape, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic friendship
Minor: Slavery
kenzninja'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
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
lindsfranfrat'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? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Rape, War, Death, Sexual content, Vomit, Gaslighting, Trafficking, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, Blood, Violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
natticalore'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
3.0
La historia tenía MUCHO potencial, y de hecho parte de ese potencial lo cumple. O sea, un retelling/ novela basada en el mito del rey Midas. ¿Cuántas hay así? Que yo sepa, bastante pocas. La historia es increíble la verdad, eso se lo tengo que dar, y me encanta como es capaz de sacarle el jugo. La idea de ser la protegida de Midas (aunque que sea una prostituta me choca, mucho), la intervención de los piratas de nieve, SAIL. Todo está muy bien pensado. El problema son los personajes.
Spoiler
Auren, la protagonista, me da mucha pena y a la vez la entiendo. Ha pasado por mucho, desde estar a punto de ser vendida en el mercado de personas hasta ver cómo vio***** a una persona que de cierta forma era cercana a ella. Y la obsesión que tiene con Midas no es para nada sana, pero entiendo que la tiene porque en un momento en el que todo parecía irse a peor, él apareció y le brindó un poco de amor, pero justo el que necesitaba para encariñarse. Es, en toda regla, la perfecta manifestación del síndrome de Estocolmo.Midas: mi principal problema en este libro. Todo lo que hace es moralmente bastante cuestionable, y las pocas veces que sale me entran ganas de pegarle cuatro tortas bien dadas. Tener a Auren en una jaula, humillar a su esposa por algo que escapa de su control, literalmente vender a Auren a un viejo verde gordo asqueroso por un par de soldados, pintarse de bueno buenísimo cuando la pobre chica le pide explicaciones, es que simplemente todo lo que hace está mal. Creo que después de Elara Merandus no hay personaje que me caiga peor. Hasta Sarkan de Uprooted me cae mejor, y eso ya es decir.
Los únicos que merecen la pena son Digby y Sail. Aunque sea muy frío y poco hablador, se nota que Digby daría lo que fuera con tal de proteger a Auren, además de que en secreto le tiene aprecio. Y Sail es básicamente un ángel caído del cielo. Bondadoso, protector, gracioso, amable, simpático... Es la personificación del bien, y estaba anhelando que acabara siendo el love interest en vez del mierdas de Midas. Pero chicos, esta es una novela de fantasía, así que obviamente Digby anda perdido y Sail muerto. Mi gozo en un pozo.
Las únicas formas que veo que se puede solucionar esto son:
1. Que se marquen un ACOTAR 2.0 y la protagonista descubra que Midas no es lo que parece y se vaya con alguien que sí merezca la pena. En ACOTAR no estoy de acuerdo con la manera en la que lo justifican y tal, pero en esta situación ya es que lo imploro.
2. Que Midas muera o algo y, tras superar su muerte, Auren aprenda que lo que tenían no era sano. Ahí me da igual que tenga love interest o no la verdad, pero si Midas muere yo soy feliz.
En fin esperemos que esto mejore porque si no voy a mandar esta saga a un sitio que no voy a decir.
Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
deredere_dukes_and_dragons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I will not diminish the terrible things that are done and said in this book (see content warnings), but this is meant to be a dark story. And, quite frankly, the book did it's job: it made me want to at least read the next installment in the series.
However, this is not a fantasy romance, at least not this first book. The main character, Auren, is in a toxic relationship, blindly devoted to (and in love with?) her King.
In my mind, this could be considered more of a prequel; there's a lot that happens, but there's no real resolution. The last chapter begs for you to dive into the next book.
Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Fatphobia and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol
alexandriasreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Trafficking, and War
extinctpanda's review against another edition
Spoiler
it literally opens with an orgy where the king is fucking his harem, where the women are called saddles. I think that pretty much sums it upGraphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexism, Alcohol, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse and Trafficking
michellecalderon's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Classism, Death, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault