woolgathering_jane's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Such a good book. Loved the complex politics and quite heavy themes (that were explored in a safe, fictional space), the world, the magic, the characters, and the subtle Spanish/latin inspiration (lol), and the twists??? Omg
The worst thing about it is the writing style that didn't really resonate with me, but it was fine. And this book doesn't have that strange quality that makes you obsessed with it, that's why it's not 5/5. But it was good, I really enjoyed it.
The worst thing about it is the writing style that didn't really resonate with me, but it was fine. And this book doesn't have that strange quality that makes you obsessed with it, that's why it's not 5/5. But it was good, I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Colonisation, Torture, War, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism and Fire/Fire injury
talkstofish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was the first recommendation from Storygraph that I received and finished. I was absorbed into the storyline immediately. The book centers on 3 characters from different backgrounds: a prince of a country that maintains power through religious oppression, a woman who lived and fought through a revolution as a child to free her island from that country, and a man who was tortured by that country and lives on the fringes of the island's society. As the island is on the brink of a civil war and the oppressive colonizers make their own moves in the shadows, all the characters question and grow their world views as they try to prevent needless deaths at the hands of various "leaders". The ending of the first book is a tense and exciting cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to get started on the second book.
One of the 3 main characters is LGBTQIA+, as well as a few minor characters. It's normal in the world-building, but the first book doesn't contain any super happy functional relationships (for anyone, really) if that's what you're looking for.
One of the 3 main characters is LGBTQIA+, as well as a few minor characters. It's normal in the world-building, but the first book doesn't contain any super happy functional relationships (for anyone, really) if that's what you're looking for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Drug abuse
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