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cscheue's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
ortneram's review against another edition
4.0
This is my third or fourth time reading this book, so it's about time for me to leave a review.
I'm going to get my big complaint out of the way before moving on to the things I enjoyed. Bad news before the good news, right? Honestly, I think the editing could have been done so much better. I can understand that the first edition was self published and that an editor was paid "undervalue" to correct errors. However, I have a hard time believing editing was done at all, considering how many issues I came across. It occasionally would take me out of the flow of reading. I was honestly surprised to see that the traditionally published version didn't correct those issues. I also recognize that editing errors are not entirely on the author, so I don't fault her for it. I do think she deserved a better editing run-through than she received though.
On to the good parts! I love the plot for this book. I found it to be intriguing and engaging. The characters are well developed, in my opinion, and I really felt for their struggles. I do prefer Nox to Amaris, in all honesty. Nox was done kind of dirty when it comes to her trauma, but I recognize how it's important to her character development. I just wish that she existed beyond just "must find Amaris. Must get vengeance for Amaris. Amaris, Amaris, Amaris." Nox's character would have benefitted from traits beyond her love for Amaris.
As for Amaris, she's self absorbed and selfish. Don't get me wrong, I still like her character, but her "love" for Nox is fleeting at best. Her whole character exists around self-serving interests without regard for almost anyone else. I try to remember that she's a teenager, and that's how teenagers are, which is why I give grace to the character flaws. However, I'm not sure that was an intentional goal when it came to the writing of her character.
The first time I read this book, I was beyond excited to continue the series. Which I'll still be doing. However, I've reread this first book several times now and have developed a more grounded opinion on it. I still really enjoy it, and it will continue to be a book I read over and over, but at this point I'd give it 3.5 stars. I rated it 4 stars for this review based on my nostalgic rememberings of my first read through.
I'm going to get my big complaint out of the way before moving on to the things I enjoyed. Bad news before the good news, right? Honestly, I think the editing could have been done so much better. I can understand that the first edition was self published and that an editor was paid "undervalue" to correct errors. However, I have a hard time believing editing was done at all, considering how many issues I came across. It occasionally would take me out of the flow of reading. I was honestly surprised to see that the traditionally published version didn't correct those issues. I also recognize that editing errors are not entirely on the author, so I don't fault her for it. I do think she deserved a better editing run-through than she received though.
On to the good parts! I love the plot for this book. I found it to be intriguing and engaging. The characters are well developed, in my opinion, and I really felt for their struggles. I do prefer Nox to Amaris, in all honesty. Nox was done kind of dirty when it comes to her trauma, but I recognize how it's important to her character development. I just wish that she existed beyond just "must find Amaris. Must get vengeance for Amaris. Amaris, Amaris, Amaris." Nox's character would have benefitted from traits beyond her love for Amaris.
As for Amaris, she's self absorbed and selfish. Don't get me wrong, I still like her character, but her "love" for Nox is fleeting at best. Her whole character exists around self-serving interests without regard for almost anyone else. I try to remember that she's a teenager, and that's how teenagers are, which is why I give grace to the character flaws. However, I'm not sure that was an intentional goal when it came to the writing of her character.
The first time I read this book, I was beyond excited to continue the series. Which I'll still be doing. However, I've reread this first book several times now and have developed a more grounded opinion on it. I still really enjoy it, and it will continue to be a book I read over and over, but at this point I'd give it 3.5 stars. I rated it 4 stars for this review based on my nostalgic rememberings of my first read through.
haleydoeshairs's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
leximainville's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
borrowedfriend's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
danidsfavereads's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
This one just didn’t do it for me. I wasn’t engaged in the story at all. I read the first 140 pages via ebook then switched over and listened to the rest on audio. Alas.
jennflattery's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
chasinggrace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
soph1sh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
wow this book was so so good. idk what i was expecting but the vibes of this book were way different to any other fantasy book i’ve read. even though there are fae it’s such a different way of them being written so it feels different. i found the writing both dense but also easy to read and some of the descriptions and dialogue were really funny. if i’m being honest the romance aspect was lacking a bit and it felt like nox and amaris were just friends? but they didn’t spend much time together in this book so maybe that’s why or it’s just me lol. also interesting that nox is a succubus because the only other time i’ve seen one mentioned in a book it’s been a bad thing but having a protagonist be one is new. and amaris’ powers are fairly unique. the relationship between amaris and ash and malik is so heartening and sweet i thought, i really loved their trio moments 🤲 and i like zaccai and gadriel a lot and their interactions with amaris are funny.