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aecatec's review against another edition
2.0
That being said, it gets two instead of one star because there *was* fun worldbuilding here and there, and some of the characters could be fun to read about sometimes. However, I only thought about this book when I got angry about the above. lol.
Also, there were WAY too many characters with names that started with A.
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
daniber's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
tecovb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Rape and Torture
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence
iono'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? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Cannibalism, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
phantomgecko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
There are other uncomfy elements as well. Didn't love the depiction of the Marat. They were characterized in the beginning as less than human beasts, which was okay until actually interacting with them. Like, wow my guy, these are human people, maybe don't continue describing them like literal animals.
Isana as a character was not very believable for me. Spinster stereotype. Sorry, I just don't believe a capable, emotionally stable adult woman would be jealous of a 14ish year old.
On the other hand, big fan of
Graphic: Animal death and Slavery
Moderate: Ableism, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, and War
olityr's review
- 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: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Where to start? I think the whole 600+ pages covers roughly two days (maybe up to four or five, but definitely not even a whole week). Yes, it's multiple POV, but I think part of the problem was that it was sooo long. It seemed like half the time it was the person trying to guess and analyze what another person would do, then next chapter we get the other POV and they are doing the same thing. Later in the book there were some better interactions with show don't tell, but it was pretty rough overall. I considered DNF many times through the book and I think by the time I got to the 50% marker, was when I began to hate read it. I'm talking about when you highlight and comment sarcastically about all the WTF moments and the convenient plot armor at just the right time.
There was no real consistency in the "magic system", like can all of the elemental furies (which I struggled to no read as furries the entire book) alter emotional states? Like, the firecrafters, sure I can see the hotheaded type emotions making sense, but like watercrafters feel all emotions, and then an earthcrafter can also stoke the flames of passion? It seemed like whatever was convenient at the time was what that person would be able to do with their fury.
While on the subject of passion - TW for gang rape. Gross. Why is rape such a common theme in fantasy? It is desensitizing and that whole small plot line was dumb in the first place.
The romantic pairings were also very problematic for me. So much cheating , and then Isana is like, maybe early 20s (referred to as a girl and young woman multiple times) and she is insta-infatuated with an older man who is in his 40s (but don't worry, he looks younger so it's fine when they make out multiple times through the book. Blech.). As for Aldrick and Odiana, they seem to oddly have the healthiest relationship? In like a super creepy way since they are both obsessed with killing.
Will not be continuing with the series even though I've heard this is the worst book and it gets so much better. No thank you.
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gore, Infertility, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
romiress's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts