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kaitrates's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This was a bit slow for my liking and some of the world building confused me. I also felt like the ending was rather abrupt.
That being said, i loved the proper enemies to lovers romance as well as Keera’s characterization. I also deeply appreciated the exploration of colonialism and the harms it causes. There’s no mistaking the message here, even for my autistic brain.
I’m intrigued enough that i already grabbed 2 on Libby. I hope we get some answers because there’s so much unknown…
Are she and riven fated mates? What kind of fae is she? How old is she, actually? What’s gonna happen when she confront riven? How long has Killian been working BTS?
That being said, i loved the proper enemies to lovers romance as well as Keera’s characterization. I also deeply appreciated the exploration of colonialism and the harms it causes. There’s no mistaking the message here, even for my autistic brain.
I’m intrigued enough that i already grabbed 2 on Libby. I hope we get some answers because there’s so much unknown…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Self harm
Moderate: Torture
tanadeet'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? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A surprisingly enjoyable story which needs more love. A story about Fae and humans, saving a kingdom, slow burn romance, found family and a strong FMC, fighting for survival, for love and her people ⚔️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, Addiction, Violence, and Self harm
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Minor: Sexual content, Trafficking, Torture, and Suicidal thoughts
batesbarb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The central concept and world building of this book were really interesting. Unfortunately, the actual writing is clumsy enough in places that it gets in the way of the story at times. The descriptions are often overwritten in a way that clashes with the close first person viewpoint. It feels artificial and grating, which makes it harder to get invested in the characters and events. The characters are all supposed to be well into adulthood (even in the context of long-lived elves and halflings), but they all seem to act and speak like teenagers. Combined with the writing style it winds up feeling much more YA than I think the author intended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Colonisation, and Emotional abuse
kit_kat006's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Addiction, Blood, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Trafficking
staygold91's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read this book and its sequel over the course of one weekend. The world is rich and well-developed. The characters feel like real people, and I love the FMC. Keera’s adventure of loss and rediscovering hope is something many could relate to.
I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys reading about political intrigue and liberation, and love in the face of overwhelming odds.
I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys reading about political intrigue and liberation, and love in the face of overwhelming odds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Colonisation, Addiction, Self harm, and Sexual content
3xhhheather's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A bit slow, but the characters are interesting enough and the final third of the book picked up in a way that I’ll continue the series.
Five stars though for making the MC an actual adult going through all this ✨
Five stars though for making the MC an actual adult going through all this ✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Addiction, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, and Self harm
koerli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Murder, and Racism
meaghancook's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, Addiction, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death
julietsdemise's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
beew92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I really enjoyed a broken blade. Understanding that this book was a foundational book, I felt like there were a few plot points that didn't need to be plot points at all. We were going here, there, every where, and many of those places were fully irrelevant to the overall plot. I could have lived without that and would have preferred a smidge more romance. That being said, once the book finally picks up, it really picks up. The action scenes are enjoyable and the small bits of romance we see are very sweet. I feel like the author tried to have a lot of character development but in my opinion it was just sweeping changes in the character without fleshed out reasons. For example, she is all about capturing the shadow to keep herself alive, but then after one single conversation and some random dreams that appear after she finally puts down the bottle. she doesn't care if she dies and just wants to free her people. Or she doesn't want Riven to see her scars even though she thought she was knocking on deaths door and then suddenly when she is healed enough to wake up she doesn't mind him seeing them. Imo that isn't true character development.
Some pros about this book is that Keera is an interesting and complex character (despite the fact that she has sweeping character changes). She is flawed and well, sort of broken, and that makes her all the more interesting. I really enjoyed being in Keera's mind and understanding how she thought. Many of the twists weren't surprising at all, but they still interested me. The world building in this book was pretty good, I feel like I have an understanding of the world, the structure, the magic, and the magical beings/people within the story.
The book ended on a cliff hanger so I will probably be picking up book 2.
Some pros about this book is that Keera is an interesting and complex character (despite the fact that she has sweeping character changes). She is flawed and well, sort of broken, and that makes her all the more interesting. I really enjoyed being in Keera's mind and understanding how she thought. Many of the twists weren't surprising at all, but they still interested me. The world building in this book was pretty good, I feel like I have an understanding of the world, the structure, the magic, and the magical beings/people within the story.
The book ended on a cliff hanger so I will probably be picking up book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Moderate: Death