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val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Death of parent
mia_dt13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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: Death
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
boydgirl's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Gun violence, and Sexual harassment
fernash's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexism
capitalf's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
So...this wasn't what I expected...
The story definitely contains a strong and confident fMC, but our girl is not likable...more like absolutely crazy and ehmm delusional.
It wss also great that the mMC supported her and acknowledges her wit seeing her as his equal, but the morals...
Both characters have a few things in common e.g. morally more than grey (as in anti heroes - figthing against a Robin Hood kinda guy, wanting to battle and in some way colonize other countries, working on strategies to oppress people), not reasonable and so on.
And while I can like morally grey characters you really feel like you are on the wrong side of the story in this book and I have now learned that is something I can not ignore (unreasonable killing - yes, this - no).
I liked that the society was diverse.
Not a fan of the ages chosen for the MCs even though it seemed fitting to how immature they acted.
The story definitely contains a strong and confident fMC, but our girl is not likable...more like absolutely crazy and ehmm delusional.
It wss also great that the mMC supported her and acknowledges her wit seeing her as his equal, but the morals...
Both characters have a few things in common e.g. morally more than grey (as in anti heroes - figthing against a Robin Hood kinda guy, wanting to battle and in some way colonize other countries, working on strategies to oppress people), not reasonable and so on.
And while I can like morally grey characters you really feel like you are on the wrong side of the story in this book and I have now learned that is something I can not ignore (unreasonable killing - yes, this - no).
I liked that the society was diverse.
Not a fan of the ages chosen for the MCs even though it seemed fitting to how immature they acted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and War
katvou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, Violence, Gaslighting, Slavery, Child death, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Sexism
extrafolklore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Alessandra's father wants to marry off both his daughters, but since his firstborn, Chrysantha, has been rejected by the Shadow King, he has married her off to a rich, older titled man & plans to do the same for Alessandra. Alessandra has other plans though & has set her sights on marrying the King, killing him, & taking over the kingdom for herself. She's no stranger to murder having killed her first love, the man who crushed her heart by rejecting her for another.
Alessandra travels to the court with her father & manages to catch the King's attention & learns that he is practically immortal but that his power comes from the shadows which swirl around him, but if he touches anyone then his power is neutralised whilst they are nearby - only then is he vulnerable. Much as she tries, Alessandra doesn't seem to be able to break through the King's reticence to grow closer, until she unthinkingly puts herself in harm's way to foil an assassin. Was it because Alessandra is determined that she will be the one to kill the King & he won't die until she is ready, or is there now another reason that she wants him to live?
The first half of the book is entertaining & it has a killer opening line - it really sets up Alessandra's character as a woman who is not afraid to have ambition & who has broken all society's rules by taking lovers before marriage. When one of her former paramours threatens to tell all & disgrace her to the court, she's not about to let him ruin her plans & so schemes a way to get rid of the threat. Got to love a woman who doesn't pull her punches! As for the second half, well let's just say I've not been this disappointed since I read Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.
If you're going to lure me in with a villainous cunning protagonist, then give me that for the entire book. After the first half set up, I was expecting a duel of wits & minds between Alessandra & Kallias (the Shadow King), even that maybe he was going to pull some kind of double-cross on her, but the story trajectory became entirely too predictable. Shame as it started out so well as something different but then became pedestrian. Overall, it was a game of two halves as they say. I really liked the first half & wish the second half had lived up to that promise. It was still kind of enjoyable though & I like the cover.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pushkin Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Alessandra travels to the court with her father & manages to catch the King's attention & learns that he is practically immortal but that his power comes from the shadows which swirl around him, but if he touches anyone then his power is neutralised whilst they are nearby - only then is he vulnerable. Much as she tries, Alessandra doesn't seem to be able to break through the King's reticence to grow closer, until she unthinkingly puts herself in harm's way to foil an assassin. Was it because Alessandra is determined that she will be the one to kill the King & he won't die until she is ready, or is there now another reason that she wants him to live?
The first half of the book is entertaining & it has a killer opening line - it really sets up Alessandra's character as a woman who is not afraid to have ambition & who has broken all society's rules by taking lovers before marriage. When one of her former paramours threatens to tell all & disgrace her to the court, she's not about to let him ruin her plans & so schemes a way to get rid of the threat. Got to love a woman who doesn't pull her punches! As for the second half, well let's just say I've not been this disappointed since I read Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.
If you're going to lure me in with a villainous cunning protagonist, then give me that for the entire book. After the first half set up, I was expecting a duel of wits & minds between Alessandra & Kallias (the Shadow King), even that maybe he was going to pull some kind of double-cross on her, but the story trajectory became entirely too predictable. Shame as it started out so well as something different but then became pedestrian. Overall, it was a game of two halves as they say. I really liked the first half & wish the second half had lived up to that promise. It was still kind of enjoyable though & I like the cover.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pushkin Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death
Moderate: Death of parent