The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
steffiraquel's review
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Death, and Gore
Moderate: War, Medical content, and Genocide
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Classism, Grief, and Physical abuse
sarahholliday's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
I picked up The Queen of Blood on a complete whim while at the library because I fell in love with the cover art, and I wasn't disappointed! I loved the unique world Durst created, and enjoyed learning about the unique ways the people of Renthia moved through the trees, build their homes, formed cities and towns, and more.Â
I found Daleina to be a compelling protagonist. As others have mentioned, it was fairly easy to figure out she would act as a "chosen one" sort of figure, though I think that's a mark of the genre rather than any sort of failing on Durst's part. What I loved was Daleina's juxtaposition with other, more powerful young women. We get to see the ways in which Daleina hones her intelligence, senses, and understanding of the world around her, rather than watching a miraculous discovery of power halfway through the story.Â
I've read criticisms of the various romance plot-lines, but I found all the relationships to be realistic and interesting without becoming the crux of the overall plot. I agree that the side characters could have been more fleshed out, and that some important world-building information is 'hidden' in the second half of the story, but overall I think The Queen of Blood is a thrilling, thoughtful fantasy and I'm excited to pick up the sequel!
I found Daleina to be a compelling protagonist. As others have mentioned, it was fairly easy to figure out she would act as a "chosen one" sort of figure, though I think that's a mark of the genre rather than any sort of failing on Durst's part. What I loved was Daleina's juxtaposition with other, more powerful young women. We get to see the ways in which Daleina hones her intelligence, senses, and understanding of the world around her, rather than watching a miraculous discovery of power halfway through the story.Â
I've read criticisms of the various romance plot-lines, but I found all the relationships to be realistic and interesting without becoming the crux of the overall plot. I agree that the side characters could have been more fleshed out, and that some important world-building information is 'hidden' in the second half of the story, but overall I think The Queen of Blood is a thrilling, thoughtful fantasy and I'm excited to pick up the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
stubbornlybookish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death, and Murder
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