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kal517'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
kimschouwenaar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Is it historically accurate? Probably not.
Is it enjoyable? Yes, but I will not be re-reading, and this has not become one of my favourite reads.
Besides the fact that I just could not connect to the two main characters, the pacing is off. Some scattered moments were exciting, but overall I was a little bored. Then there is the wording and dialogue, which was a peculiar mix of historical and modern speech. For some it might work, but for me it was confusing.
Additionally, I simply do not understand why in such a seemingly modern and advanced society, there is such an ignorance towards mental health issues. There are multiple characters using neo-pronouns (a fact I absolutely ADORE), they seem to have equal rights for men and women, and the sultan is a woman with a new-born (!!!!) (Zeliha and Eyne were an absolutely delightful addition to the story). Also, there was an aro-ace character that uses çe/çem/çir!
It could have been great, but to me it wasn’t.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Sexual content, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
discarded_dust_jacket'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
3.25
This is entirely personal preference, but I would’ve liked if the pacing of the romance was a bit quicker. I understand it’s a slow burn, but this was a SLOOWWWWW burn, lol. Again, totally personal preference. It was still a joy to read.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Confinement, Drug use, and Kidnapping
itsnotalakeitsanocean'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
3.5
Pros
- I could relate very well to Kadou's panic attacks - especially the fatigue that comes afterwards and engaging in small but not overtly noticeable self-destructive behaviours
- Evemer is now one of my favourite comically serious characters in fiction. His journey of self-discovery and self-actualisation was a good chunk of the reason I kept reading tbh
- I forget the exact name of the gender identity used but I liked the inclusion of non binary people as characters
Cons
- The plot stopped towards the end to focus on the romance and wrapped up too easily compared to conflict earlier in the book
- I don't really like how there wasn't a solid breakup between Tadek and Kadou, they just kind of... stopped being lovers/friends with benefits
- Was a bit dense and wordy at the beginning which made it a bit of a struggle to get into but I loved the characters enough to persevere
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
tofi_15'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
iaraya'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
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Violence
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
bookcaptivated'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
3.75
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, and Classism
rad'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
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
dododenise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The story is almost entirely character focused and I loved that. The plot, including politics, mysteries, violence and betrayal served only the characters. Because of that the plot itself wasn’t revolutionary. Instead, there was so much care put into the characters.
It was a delicious slow burn, with so much yearning and pining. Getting so close to getting together and then pulling apart again and it just pulled at my heartstrings with them. There were so many tender moments between them. The book took its time on long conversation and really developing the characters and their relationships. This was a slow burn perfectly executed. And added to that, a wonderful cast of side characters that I have also learned to adore, including a nonbinary aro ace character who I obviously was a fan of. But all of them found a place in my heart.
Just give me hundreds of books like this and I will be happy.
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Grief and Pregnancy