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saltymango's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the plant magic and the world Raasch created.
Let me say upfront, if you are looking for a story about gay pirates and/or any kind of solid romantasy, this is NOT it. The main focus of this book are the politcal/religious conflicts and how the characters dealing with that.
The characters while their experiences may not be totally relatable, they have realistic reactions and mental states, that do make them relatable. Also I deeply appreciate that this girl with a violent past, isn't just fine and dandy with violence- it's refreshing and more realistic compared to alot of the novels with 'strong female leads' now. I am not someone who enjoys purely character driven stories, but I felt what Raasch gave us was just enough. All that being said, I find this mostly a plot driven book. I enjoyed the exploration of the complexities in different cultures and having this religious zealot ruler and also being post rebellion.
Some things I think could be better:
-the romantic relationship (A/V) felt a little sudden/forced. No chemistry really, or maybe just not enough time fleshing it out. Same with her bond with his crew.
- the pacing, or maybe just the way we are introduced to all the aspects of the conflict and the world. Raasch avoided info dumping, but then left us scrambling to make sense of everythinf introduced. I think this is why initially, even though I had found myself interested in the book, It wasnt a 'I-cant-put-this-down' type of read and took a while to get in to.
- world building: needed just a little MORE. Also, aspects that were supposed to probably be immersive, pushed me away and actually felt jarring or pulled me out of the story.
Overall, though I really enjoyed it and would reccommend.
Let me say upfront, if you are looking for a story about gay pirates and/or any kind of solid romantasy, this is NOT it. The main focus of this book are the politcal/religious conflicts and how the characters dealing with that.
The characters while their experiences may not be totally relatable, they have realistic reactions and mental states, that do make them relatable. Also I deeply appreciate that this girl with a violent past, isn't just fine and dandy with violence- it's refreshing and more realistic compared to alot of the novels with 'strong female leads' now. I am not someone who enjoys purely character driven stories, but I felt what Raasch gave us was just enough. All that being said, I find this mostly a plot driven book. I enjoyed the exploration of the complexities in different cultures and having this religious zealot ruler and also being post rebellion.
Some things I think could be better:
-the romantic relationship (A/V) felt a little sudden/forced. No chemistry really, or maybe just not enough time fleshing it out. Same with her bond with his crew.
- the pacing, or maybe just the way we are introduced to all the aspects of the conflict and the world. Raasch avoided info dumping, but then left us scrambling to make sense of everythinf introduced. I think this is why initially, even though I had found myself interested in the book, It wasnt a 'I-cant-put-this-down' type of read and took a while to get in to.
- world building: needed just a little MORE. Also, aspects that were supposed to probably be immersive, pushed me away and actually felt jarring or pulled me out of the story.
Overall, though I really enjoyed it and would reccommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
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