mattiedancer's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
- Fans of older young adult fiction looking for a brilliant fantasy world
- Those who LOVE the badass female protagonist
- Fantasy readers looking for plot and world-building over writing
- Death, fire, fire injury, murder, stalking, gaslighting, confinement, toxic relationship, toxic friendship, violence, injury, blood, injury detail, death of parent, death of child, war, sexism, sexual content,
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, War, Sexism, Death, Gaslighting, Confinement, and Sexual content
emmer_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
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
rhiwind93'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
4.25
Graphic: Blood, War, Body horror, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Violence
jadorelecafe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death, War, Genocide, Grief, and Violence
rheagoveas'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood and Violence
barda'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
This was a very enjoyable debut novel, with a very rich world. The ideas about gods and how they're created by thoughts and prayers of people was really well done.
I broadly enjoyed the characters, in particular Kissen and Skedi. Kissen I enjoyed just because I really like competent but flawed female main characters, and Skedi was a fascinating look into a god with a different morality compared to the humans around him. I mostly wasn't as keen on Elo and found him a bit one-note, so I hope he gets a bit more development in the second book.
The writing and use of language were excellent, especially for a debut novel; however, I found some parts to be over-described and thus dragged the story on too much. My main complaint about the novel was the pacing, with it being slightly too slow in parts. I'm also torn about the twist in the end of
Spoiler
the king wanting to become a godOverall, however, I enjoyed this and will be picking up the next one when it comes out.
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Cursing
millieinks'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
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Death, Blood, and War
awaterswadesthrough's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Genocide, Medical content, Gore, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Ableism, Blood, Child death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Trafficking, and War
zarhara'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
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Child death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Death, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, and War
maregred'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
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: War and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief and Sexual content