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annorabrady'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
Graphic: Gore, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Ableism
amykwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
sirkeili's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
I found Harper to be both intriguing, but also sometimes frustrating when she takes things too literally. She grows a lot during book, but I still found most of her troubles could be solved by trusting Rhen and Grey a lot more than she initially did (even when they proved they meant no ill will).
I think Grey was my favourite, as he seemed the most well rounded and intruguing character. His abilities, attitude and mysterious past seem to all line up in a way that I wanted to follow along with him and see his side of the story. He has so much to tell, and yet so much to unravel about himself as well. Despite the rough and scatter hand of cards he's been given, Grey still shows an innate softness and care for those he holds close.
Harper has all the aspects of a great heroine, but I feel the author hinges everything on her disability, and yet its rarely addressed in the novel. It's almost as though it's just for the ✨ d r a m a ✨ and the "I'm not like other girls" trope (ugh), and not to really showcase how exceptional Harper is despite - and because- of it. I think if there was substance and heart going into developing her character more, Harper could really shine as bright as I know she can. She has a spark big enough to even set Emberfall ablaze, truly.
If you need a softer, yet still slightly gritty retelling, this is a solid one. Very spunky, goofy and generally easy-going-ish book.
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Stalking
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, and Classism
rensreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i have no idea where to begin with my love for this story. it was heartbreaking, tragic, funny, and full of so much promise.
though to be fair, i think that plot twist at the end was completely unnecessary and this could’ve just been a standalone. but that’s just my opinion and it might change after i read the sequel. i suppose we’ll see in time.
i adore absolutely everything about harper. she’s so badass. i hope if i ever end up in her position i too can do what she has. wishful thinking though heh
rhen, oh that man. and scary gray!!!! gods they were the best thing to come from this book. zo too! i just loved their dynamic so much. gray’s undying loyalty was just the absolute best. i love him so much. and rhen was so tortured but so unwilling to let anyone else shoulder his hurts. that’s the kind of love interest i would give up everything for.
100% a 5 star read for me!
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Violence, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity, Torture, Medical trauma, and War
Minor: Ableism and Abandonment
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoyed how much Harper and Rhen goaded each other through most of the book, the "it's all just for show......right?" until almost the very end. I also appreciated that Brigid didn't shy away from the fact that there was definitely a spark of something between Harper and Grey, if for no other reason than he expected absolutely nothing from her since she had to fall in love with Rhen to break the curse.
Bit of a plot twist at the end there with Rhen's legitimacy as heir to the throne tossed in. A bit of political intrigue does a story good.
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Gore, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Suicide attempt
axahean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder