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christinereads1823's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Definitely an... interesting start to a series. I liked parts of it, and the magic of the world is a cool concept, but I didn't love the execution and I didn't really connect with the characters. The constant time jumping between Rielle and Eliana was very confusing, especially in the first half of the book, and the prologue chapter gave away the reveal that happened close to the end. I almost think it would have worked better as an epilogue to connect everything and have the reader go "OH SHIT."
I'm invested in learning how Rielledestroyed the world , so I will be continuing the series for that.
I'm invested in learning how Rielle
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
kitkatkatdog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.5
Meh. I love Rielle, and she might be the only reason I continue. Eliana just doesn’t hit the same. But the last few chapters she started to get me so we’ll see if she grows on me in the next one. Also, holy shit, Angels? Did not expect that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexism, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Animal death
yriax's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Murder
mxdegroot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-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
2.5
I have to be honest, I almost DNF'd this book multiple times purely because it started out as such a drag. It's a five-hundred-pages-long brick of a book and should have been about three hundred pages shorter, because that's how long it took for the plot to finally pick up properly. I do have to be honest and say that, once the plot did pick up, I was hooked until the end. But on to the actual book now.
I quite liked Eliana as a character. The writing of her perspective at the start of the book showed how indoctrinated into her society she is really well and it was fascinating to read how she justifies some of the things she does, as unacceptable as they may be. It was also a good writer's choice to not have her morality make a 180 when she is literally face to face with the consequences of her actions. However, that is about where the logical character development ended for me. Legrand set up some beautiful storylines and relationships - Navi and Remy's friendship, Eliana and The Wolf's eventual friendship - but those were either thrown away or rushed. Additionally, Eliana's deal with The Wolf felt weird and forced. For someone who was willing to go to horrific lengths and had such faith in her repuation and importance to her society, she was very quick to turn her back on that same society and make a deal with a man who she had absolutely zero reason to trust. To summerize, a lot of the character development in this book felt forced and weird, especially on Eliana's side.
cw/tw: talk of NSFW and non-consent
Every moment that the characters were engaged in sexual activities or anything adjacent to it was, in my opinion, either too graphic or completely unnecessary. I mostly don't have any problem with sex, but it was mostly unnecessary to the plot and a bit too graphic for a book that classifies as Young Adult (12 - 18). Legrand should have especially been more careful with the way she describes certain sections that were either explicitly or assumably non-consensual but were described as fine. Again, Furyborn classifies itself as Young Adult, which means it is aimed primarily at minors, most of which will be just starting to explore their sexuality and comfort/discomfort and so might think that certain sections in the book are okay while they are not. This is just plain dangerous.
Also, except for one, maybe two times, the sex didn't add anything to the plot or characters except to show that 90% percent of the characters are predators, so in YA book it would have been better to just leave those sections out.
Finally, Rielle and Audric having a relationship in which Audric is so loyal to her and risking everything while he is betrothed to Ludivine, while Rielle is horny for Corien is really fucked up . In conclusion, the sexual parts of this book generally made me quite uncomfortable.
end of content/trigger warning
Will I read the rest of the series? Yes, I will, because the worldbuilding and main plot is generally quite good, if fairly poorly executed, and Legrand have a pleasant and enjoyable writing style. I really hope the 1100 pages the next to books take up combined will be worth it.
Rep: gay characters (MLM).
February 7th, 2023 - March 9th, 2023.
I quite liked Eliana as a character. The writing of her perspective at the start of the book showed how indoctrinated into her society she is really well and it was fascinating to read how she justifies some of the things she does, as unacceptable as they may be. It was also a good writer's choice to not have her morality make a 180 when she is literally face to face with the consequences of her actions. However, that is about where the logical character development ended for me. Legrand set up some beautiful storylines and relationships - Navi and Remy's friendship, Eliana and The Wolf's eventual friendship - but those were either thrown away or rushed. Additionally, Eliana's deal with The Wolf felt weird and forced. For someone who was willing to go to horrific lengths and had such faith in her repuation and importance to her society, she was very quick to turn her back on that same society and make a deal with a man who she had absolutely zero reason to trust. To summerize, a lot of the character development in this book felt forced and weird, especially on Eliana's side.
cw/tw: talk of NSFW and non-consent
Every moment that the characters were engaged in sexual activities or anything adjacent to it was, in my opinion, either too graphic or completely unnecessary. I mostly don't have any problem with sex, but it was mostly unnecessary to the plot and a bit too graphic for a book that classifies as Young Adult (12 - 18). Legrand should have especially been more careful with the way she describes certain sections that were either explicitly or assumably non-consensual but were described as fine. Again, Furyborn classifies itself as Young Adult, which means it is aimed primarily at minors, most of which will be just starting to explore their sexuality and comfort/discomfort and so might think that certain sections in the book are okay while they are not. This is just plain dangerous.
Also, except for one, maybe two times, the sex didn't add anything to the plot or characters except to show that 90% percent of the characters are predators, so in YA book it would have been better to just leave those sections out.
Finally,
end of content/trigger warning
Will I read the rest of the series? Yes, I will, because the worldbuilding and main plot is generally quite good, if fairly poorly executed, and Legrand have a pleasant and enjoyable writing style. I really hope the 1100 pages the next to books take up combined will be worth it.
Rep: gay characters (MLM).
February 7th, 2023 - March 9th, 2023.
"Have you always been this unspeakably irritating?"
"Has your face always looked so temptingly carvable?"
"Belief doesn't keep you alive."
"But, given time, it can win wars."
"I have heard rumors of what is done to them, these missing girls, and I hope my daughter is safely dead."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Infidelity
oliverreeds's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
eve_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ I usually don't enjoy dual point of views, but Legrand does it so well. The chapters are relatively short and almost every single one ends on a cliff hanger, so I was completely hooked from start to finish. I truly don't think there was one moment I was bored.
⁕ There is zero info dumping in this book, but it did take me almost 300 pages to get a firm grasp on the important historical and religious context of the world. I really hope the next 2 books in the series further grows upon this knowledge.
⁕ Legrand starts each chapter entry with a journal/text/letter excerpt that is dated with months from the Gregorian calendar. I really wish she had devised her own system for time/date keeping because this was a really small and easy detail that detracted from the world-building.
⁕ SPOILER: The magical kingdom(s) that this story take place in exists largely outside of heteronormative, patriarchal society. LGBTQ+ and women characters are in positions of power without being questioned or explained as "outside of the norm." WHY THEN does Legrand make a point to highlight that the "crawlers" (Frankenstein monsters born from the experiments of the Empire) are made of mutilated women and girls that were stolen?! Without any further exploration or discussion?! I'm still trying to find the words as to why this made me feel so icky but it did.
⁕ To whoever labeled this book as a YA on Goodreads and Storygraph: Why?!?! There are brutal beheadings of children, assault, body horror/experimentation, and at least one sex scene. I'm not complaining (especially since the author expertly used these moments to explore themes of morality, loyalty, and survival), but I think a lot of audiences looking for mature reads might accidentally pass this one over because of false advertising.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ I usually don't enjoy dual point of views, but Legrand does it so well. The chapters are relatively short and almost every single one ends on a cliff hanger, so I was completely hooked from start to finish. I truly don't think there was one moment I was bored.
⁕ There is zero info dumping in this book, but it did take me almost 300 pages to get a firm grasp on the important historical and religious context of the world. I really hope the next 2 books in the series further grows upon this knowledge.
⁕ Legrand starts each chapter entry with a journal/text/letter excerpt that is dated with months from the Gregorian calendar. I really wish she had devised her own system for time/date keeping because this was a really small and easy detail that detracted from the world-building.
⁕ To whoever labeled this book as a YA on Goodreads and Storygraph: Why?!?! There are brutal beheadings of children, assault, body horror/experimentation, and at least one sex scene. I'm not complaining (especially since the author expertly used these moments to explore themes of morality, loyalty, and survival), but I think a lot of audiences looking for mature reads might accidentally pass this one over because of false advertising.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
saeruh's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
4.0
I would first like to say that Furyborn is NOT ya. Despite its marketing as such, this is much more of a New Adult fantasy novel. I would not recommend this for pre/younger teen readers because it does not feel appropriate for them, in my opinion. While things are necessarily graphically described, the actions within most/all scenes are still very much geared to an adult audience.
That being said and once I figured that out for myself, I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I’ve had Furyborn in my tbr for a while but decided I wanted to read a fantasy for a bit of a change of pace/plot/etc. The first 50 pages were a little rough but once I got past those, I was INVESTED. I LOVED the dichotomy between the two main female characters with one being a prideful but seeming harmless/sweet at the beginning until we learn more about her powers and start her slow decent into her villianhood and one being a confident, seeming heartless killer-for-hire who becomes our story’s hero. I thought the concept of angels and the magic system was interesting and well thought out. I liked all of the lore too.
However, there was somethings I really wasn’t a fan of. I didn’t like the dual timelines, I sometimes wanted to know much more about the one that just ended rather than go into the past/future.I thought it was REALLY easy to guess that Eliana would be Rielle’s daughter but maybe that was the entire point LMAO Most of the time when Rielle’s powers/the empirium stuff was described, my brain glossed over all of it and couldn’t really seemed to catch any details. I was not a fan of the love triangles for both narrators. I’m assuming Harkan will come back in a later book but he was so unnecessary in general. I wish the characters’ ages had been clearly stated - I couldn’t exactly tell if Eliana was supposed to be 17 or 18 which is not that big of a difference but I really would have liked to known she was the basic age of consent before the romance with Simon started since he’s 8 years her senior. . I think some scenes could easily have been taken out/written a different way Ex: the scene in the first 50 or so pages when Eliana and Harkan bring in a family of poor people trying to escape the city to their master and then one of the CHILDREN is brutally DECAPITATED??? you could have shown the rebellion being squashed out in so many, way less horrific ways .
This novel reminded me of a LOT of other similar fantasy series, included but not limited to Shadow and Bone, the Hunger Games, the Lunar Chronicles, Crier’s War, and Throne of Glass. If you like any of those, you’ll probably like this. I think I will try to pick the next few books in this series at the library.
That being said and once I figured that out for myself, I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I’ve had Furyborn in my tbr for a while but decided I wanted to read a fantasy for a bit of a change of pace/plot/etc. The first 50 pages were a little rough but once I got past those, I was INVESTED. I LOVED the dichotomy between the two main female characters with one being a prideful but seeming harmless/sweet at the beginning until we learn more about her powers and start her slow decent into her villianhood and one being a confident, seeming heartless killer-for-hire who becomes our story’s hero. I thought the concept of angels and the magic system was interesting and well thought out. I liked all of the lore too.
However, there was somethings I really wasn’t a fan of. I didn’t like the dual timelines, I sometimes wanted to know much more about the one that just ended rather than go into the past/future.
This novel reminded me of a LOT of other similar fantasy series, included but not limited to Shadow and Bone, the Hunger Games, the Lunar Chronicles, Crier’s War, and Throne of Glass. If you like any of those, you’ll probably like this. I think I will try to pick the next few books in this series at the library.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
kaseybereading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content
taelights's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly I really enjoyed this one and will definitely be continuing with the series. It took me awhile to get into the book because the beginning was a bit slow and then the animal death scene towards the beginning was very graphic and difficult for me to listen to. But once the paced picked up and I made sense of some things that had confused me at first I was very hooked.
I am not overly attached to either of the main girls to be honest but their stories still managed to intrigue me. While the romances did provide me some sexy inspiring quotes I could care less about them. The only one I'd care to see more of is Rielle and Corien but that's mostly because Corien is interesting to me and I want to see how his story plays out.
I am not overly attached to either of the main girls to be honest but their stories still managed to intrigue me. While the romances did provide me some sexy inspiring quotes I could care less about them. The only one I'd care to see more of is Rielle and Corien but that's mostly because Corien is interesting to me and I want to see how his story plays out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity
_sarahg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death, Violence, Blood, and Grief