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wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
So. I would say that I liked this book. The political intrigue aspect is interesting, the worldbuilding is a bit sparse and seems to rely on conventional setting stereotypes, the religious aspect is bizarre, and the magic systems are largely unexplained.
For the romance: I initially enjoyed the pining, the obvious adoration, the soft boy, the timid girl with hidden strength, etc... But then they hooked up and it became intolerable. I cannot deal with the words used for penis and vagina. Not the barbaric 'sword' and 'sheath' metaphor used in Tenebra nor the ones in the Hesperine language which I refuse to type out. It literally sounds like the penis is a Pokémon and the image remains firmly stuck. Beyond that, it also felt very juvenile in that they banged and then it was very insta-ride-or-die which was hugely out of character for the woman, if not also the man (in theory) especially considering that it largely takes place in the span of a month.
To be honest, my favorite character was the animal companion, Knight.
I am unsure if I will continue on to read the next book, but there's a good chance.
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
midnacine'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
4.5
I was recommended this book on Tiktok by someone with a very small following, so I went into this hoping the algorithm had taken me to where I needed to be. And thanks be to the Tiktok algorithm gods, because I fell in love.
While high fantasy romance series are definitely up my alley, the tropes used in this were so different to what I typically enjoy, and I was surprised with how much I loved them. The prose walks that fine line between poetic and difficult to understand, but the more I read the more I got used to it. Lio and Cassia are some of the most well-developed characters I've seen out of a first book, and their romance is heartbreaking in all the best ways. And the world building was absolutely phenomenal.
If you're looking for a forbidden romance that will make you cry, political intrigue and assassination plots that will have you on the edge of your seat, and a truly unique view on mourning and honoring life, this is the book for you.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Sexual assault, Vomit, Grief, Murder, and War
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Violence, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
emmagrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault