eve_reads'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
4.0
⁕ The plot of this book was more quest-based than the last one. I struggled to remain engaged during Laia's and Elias' perspectives when there was extensive travel because it felt redundant and repetitive.
⁕ Helene is slowly making her way up there on my list of all time favorite female characters. The internal conflict she faces when choosing between her patriotism, family, and Elias is a DELICIOUS addition to the book. For the unrequited love interest, she is a fully-fleshed character that is glorious in all her flaws and fears.
⁕ [spoiler] HOLY PLOT TWIST. Tahir got me good and honest. It made absolute sense and I didn't see it coming.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Child death, Torture, Gore, and Death
nik_reads'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
We get to know our MCs more, and we also get other POVs from characters I liked and wanted to see more of in book 1. Generally, I don't like multiple POVs unless they are done right, and this book did it right. I wanted to know what was happening with everyone, not just the main two. This series has a fantastic cast of characters that glow ever brighter in this book. I think this one is my favorite story wise - I really enjoyed what was happening and the character development. The romance between our MCs is slow to build and secondary to the plot and characters, but it's subtle and powerful, just the way I like it, and it really starts to grow in this book. But I also love all the different kinds of love we get: romantic, friendship, familial, love of country and one's people, and everything in between.
Minor: Sexual violence
jackiepreston's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Slavery
coolbeancat'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
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
ruethebookslug's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Genocide
Moderate: Slavery and Torture
Minor: Sexual violence
sapphic_reader'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
3.0
POC main characters
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Slavery
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
ramiel's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Colonisation, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Mental illness
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse
Imperialism is one hell of a drug. "Mild" are: the emperor is a rapist and makes a lot of threats. Some of the sexual content - such as that between the two main characters - is innocent and not excessively detailed but its there.aargot1's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Torture and Terminal illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
shelby1879's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and Child abuse
readwithanna's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
ATATN is a big improvement from AEITA. I wasn't too keen on the characters when we first met them. But the world building was the weakest point. The world itself felt rather small, and while it is expanded upon a little in ATATN there's still some to be desired.
But what bothered me the most in AEITA was that we were constantly told how brutal this world was but then hardly showed it. That's absolutely changed now. I'm pleasantly surprised. It's not often an author just goes this hard in book 2. Love to see it.
Why this isn't a 5 star is because emotions don't really stick with the characters. Horrible things happens to the characters but it doesn't seem to affect them beyond that scene. I get that compartmentalisation is a thing. But isn't it convenient how all the characters, regardless of upbringing, are all great at compartmentalisation?
I shouldn't nitpick like this. The book is good.
Graphic: Death
Minor: Sexual violence