michelles_book_nook'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Genocide, Murder, Death, Misogyny, Torture, Slavery, and Sexual assault
epsyphus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Torture, War, Rape, Death, Self harm, and Slavery
merenguita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
In terms of the narrating I think it is pretty intresting that Karou feels different, which makes sense after the flod of memories at the end of book 1. And you can feel how her personality shifts a bit. Buuut i did not like that there were so many different POV's, monst of the time i felt it was used to show something taht would've been more intresting if it kept its mistery. Especially the parts were Zuzana or Mik were the main focus, idk, I found them a bit boring. Not as characters necessarily, but as narrators.
About the love triangle:
Spoiler
I believe she will end up with Akiva and I really wish she would, I enjoyed Ziri soooo much, he's just so sweet! But yeah... she'll probably end up with the "soul mate" that's morally grayPretty exited to read book 3 tbh
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and War
Minor: Incest
elmet'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
Moderate: Self harm, Grief, Violence, Death, Sexual assault, Torture, and War
Minor: Child death, Genocide, and Blood
grilledcheesd'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
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Violence, War, Death, Injury/injury detail, and Sexual assault
marta_correia'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Genocide, Gore, Murder, and Self harm
lililoves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Torture
Spoiler
WARNING: MAJOR character death and the rape scene isn't too intense because it doesn't actually happen but I know that even just an attempted rape scene can be hard for some to readjosephinereadsbooks'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
bi_n_sad's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Genocide, and Self harm
Moderate: Suicide and Torture
Minor: Rape and Slavery
ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Despite all the dark themes explored in this book, there are moments of lightheartedness. This is mostly a wholesome contribution made by Zuzana and Mik. I'm still not invested in the romance between Karou and Akiva outside of the symbolism behind their relationship. However, Mik and Zuzana are a different story. Zuzana and Mik were able make me laugh and smile multiple times between very grim moments in the story and their dynamic together is hilarious and cute. They are fiercely loyal and supportive of Karou throughout the story and help provide moments of joy amongst all the carnage of the war. It's clear that they don't really understand the gravity of the situation at first, but they are able to help Karou greatly despite that.
The pacing of the story felt a bit slower than the previous book, but it felt appropriate for the events occurring. None of the events in the story felt like they dragged at any point, which I can appreciate. There is a reveal at the end that raises the stakes astronomically. I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters in the story deal with the aftermath of that in the next book. I liked this installment more than the last, but we also got to see more of Mik and Zuzana, and I think that definitely tipped the scale for me. They are my favorite characters after all. If you liked the first book in the series, I think you'll definitely enjoy this continuation.
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Torture, Genocide, and Death
There is a scene with a moderately to mildly graphic attempted rape, hence the content warnings.