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talkstofish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
This book was the first recommendation from Storygraph that I received and finished. I was absorbed into the storyline immediately. The book centers on 3 characters from different backgrounds: a prince of a country that maintains power through religious oppression, a woman who lived and fought through a revolution as a child to free her island from that country, and a man who was tortured by that country and lives on the fringes of the island's society. As the island is on the brink of a civil war and the oppressive colonizers make their own moves in the shadows, all the characters question and grow their world views as they try to prevent needless deaths at the hands of various "leaders". The ending of the first book is a tense and exciting cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to get started on the second book.
One of the 3 main characters is LGBTQIA+, as well as a few minor characters. It's normal in the world-building, but the first book doesn't contain any super happy functional relationships (for anyone, really) if that's what you're looking for.
One of the 3 main characters is LGBTQIA+, as well as a few minor characters. It's normal in the world-building, but the first book doesn't contain any super happy functional relationships (for anyone, really) if that's what you're looking for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Forced institutionalization