pagesbycaroline's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Second read of this book. It's been long enough since I read it the first time that most everything was a surprise, which was delightful. There are many twists that I did not remember, so it was almost like reading it for the first time. I very much enjoy the dark nature of this story and cannot wait to continue reading the series. I remember in the beginning, Katharine was my favorite, but now I am leaning more towards Arsinoe.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Torture, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I read this to get an idea as to what my own take on this series is.
Suffice to say that I dnfed this book nearly a couple of times. The toxicity of the relationships that is defined by the adults is appalling. Combined with the underlying representation of eating disorders that can be triggering, I would not consider this book to be a healthy read.
Suffice to say that I dnfed this book nearly a couple of times. The toxicity of the relationships that is defined by the adults is appalling. Combined with the underlying representation of eating disorders that can be triggering, I would not consider this book to be a healthy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
carissa0906's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Medical trauma, Violence, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Physical abuse, Torture, and Vomit
thaliareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
I had a bit of trouble with this book, and I think I might have had trouble finishing it if I hadn't been listening to it. I like the concept, but had some trouble with the pacing and inconsistent order and switching of POVs. I don't think it necesarily detracted from the book on its own, but I think that personally it led to some difficulties.
I liked the concept and the characters. The plot progression was good, if a bit slow at times, but I kept loosing track of how close or far they were from different milestones they'd need to reach.
However, I think the last handful of chapters really brought this up a notch for me. I was sincerely excited to read the next book to see what happens, despite not really enjoying this book as much as some of my recent reads.
I liked the concept and the characters. The plot progression was good, if a bit slow at times, but I kept loosing track of how close or far they were from different milestones they'd need to reach.
However, I think the last handful of chapters really brought this up a notch for me. I was sincerely excited to read the next book to see what happens, despite not really enjoying this book as much as some of my recent reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
This book doesn't spare any details. This won't be for you if you don't like wounds to be graphically described. Additionally, the self harm/torture and physical abuse all relates to the intentional and repeat poisoning of one character to develop their resistance. This is however out of a desire to live, not a desire to die.bookish_bookerz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
2.75
Reviewing this book would be comparable as reviewing a childhood snack that you do not eat anymore. I have been wanting to read this book around the time it first came out; however, I was not able to actually read it until now. Reading this gave me a sense of accomplishment but was not well liked either. The reason why this book got a 2.75 stars because I did enjoy it as a whole but not as much as I would have back in the past. Although this book suit my taste in reading (I am devoted YA fantasy reader) it also left an dull impression on me at the same time. The plot of the book sparked my interest and its elements of sisters competing against each other and fighting until the last one stands is what held my long inquired interest in the book. But once into it, I soon started to divert my attention elsewhere. I felt that this book is a nice introduction book into the series as it gives glimpses, explanations, and world building into the plot, but the action itself did not happen until near the end of the book. Because of this, I felt kind of disappointed because I thought some of the action would be near the middle. Furthermore, I kind of disliked the direction of the book was going as it brings in a side character that ends up being the main force later in the series (but this book kind of establishes their strength in the overall series). There were some parts of the book that was slow but not slow enough to DNF. Despite the things I did not like about it, I did enjoy the premise of the book and the plot. There were some characters that I loved and some I didn’t, and I appreciate that. The writing in the book was a nice with descriptions of the world and the characters without being overly detailed. The pacing of the book can be quite slow at times but it does pick up to a medium speed once established. Lastly, I liked how this book had some twist or outcomes I was not expecting. I throughly enjoyed those as it was a driving factor for its continued reading. Overall, this is a great book that I am glad I got a chance to read but it is not a series I would continue right away.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
dancingprince's review against another edition
Nothing technically wrong with it, just not holding my attention. A little gory.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Physical abuse
em_davies7019's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Blood, Infidelity, Animal death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gore
Minor: Sexual content and Confinement
anastasiamakes's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I was expecting this book to be very Hunger Games / Battle Royale-y but it actually focused a lot more on the characters, their relationships, and the politics of their world. A dark romp with strong female characters throughout and some good twists. Enjoyed it more than I expected!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Vomit, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Torture, and Violence
supernova7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was wandering the library and stumbled on this book series. The premise was compelling: triplet queens with supernatural powers who need to fight each other to win the crown. I am so glad I did. This was fast paced and easy to read, which gave my overworked brain a needed break. I am impressed with the world building of this author; I believe that there are different cultures on this island and the characters react to and live within these cultures. I am engrossed in the folklore and history of the island and I want to learn more. The worse part of this book is the inclusion of a love triangle. That part felt forced, predictable, and frustrating, to be honest. It made me care a lot less about two of the characters. I’ll say this book ended well too, and I am excited to go back to the library to get the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
rosenau's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Gore, Murder, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Death, Abandonment, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Vomit