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vyralvyris's review
- 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: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
abelh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
remimicha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Eating disorder, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
frostfeather's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Sexual harassment, and War
jmross10's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It’s a little different of a fantasy setup than what I’m used too in that it deals with Atlanteans. That said, I think Edwards did a good job of building out that aspect of the world and making it interesting, but also easy enough to follow. It’s never great when politically driven situations are central to the plot but the reader can’t follow the politics well enough to understand what’s happening and why.
I really enjoyed the various characters and their range of dynamics. From the antagonistic (but affectionate) relationship between Rune and Brand, to the much more outwardly caring relationship between Adam and Quinn. I especially liked that we get to see some characters reflect on their choices in relationships and are forced to accept that what seemed right in the moment might have made them blind in the long run.
One thing I was not aware of going into the book was how heavily sexual assault (particularly of minors) would factor in. While it’s implied on the first couple pages it’s done in a way that makes the reader question the truth of it (on purpose). As the story unfolds that truth comes out and it’s not always to easy read. Especially since it’s made clear that victim blaming is not just a toxic tendency but a tradition of Atlantean society. That said, I think Edwards does a good job of acknowledging that trauma and not having the character automatically move past it, without it coming across too much as exploiting the situation.
Overall, I really liked the book. So much so I dove immediately into the second. I’m very curious to see where the story goes.
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
maevebillings's review
- 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
Graphic: Cursing and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
ambientdusk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Rape
ambientdusk's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Trafficking, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Blood
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
mallorypen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed the magic system, world building, and integration of the tarot. The dialogue - especially between Brand and Rune - was witty and well written, and the action sequences played out like the reader was there watching it happen.
The narrator: Josh Hurley did an EXCELLENT job performing this story. I would think that the action sequences might get a little long with the wrong narrator, but he was able to build up the tension in just the right way. His delivery of Brand and Rune’s conversations was almost too good - I got a lot of chemistry that didn’t just read as scion and companion, and I got distracted from Addam’s romance with Rune by their scenes.
The storyline: getting into the culture and politics of the Atlantian people took a little while, and the beginning of the novel felt a little slow. But once we got into the investigation and things kept unraveling, I was quickly sucked in.
Rune’s story arc was mostly awesome - his smartass personality, the way he dealt with guilt, and the aftershocks of his childhood experiences made him an easy hero to root for. That said, it was incredibly hard to discover more about the violence he endured as a child. His motivations throughout the book stem from that trauma, and for the most part I felt the author handled the hard subject matter well. I especially appreciated Addam’s reaction during their time alone in the Westlands upon learning about Rune’s old memories being used against him.
Quinn is an excellent side character, as was the mysterious Lord Tower. Max took a little more getting used to, and I’m still not entirely convinced I understand all of his motivations and Rune and Brand’s behavior towards him.
I am excited to read the rest of the books in this series!
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
emcat591's review
- 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? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Drug abuse
Minor: Fatphobia