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ladyfaceplant's reviews
22 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Death and Death of parent
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Outing
Did not finish book.
Graphic: Incest, Rape, and Sexual violence
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
As always, the Suriel & Makiel chapters were kind of boring. I’m sorry! However, I am intrigued by the Mad King and I liked his perspective a little more. Interesting that it was him who attacked Ozriel when he was trying to save those people before running away. I can never quite get what the Vroshir and the Mad King’s deal is. They seem to want the same thing as the Abidan but they just want to be the one with all the worlds - like they just come and steal people from the Abidan and just put them on a different world? But then sometimes they’re just killing people and destroying worlds. I don’t 100% get it but maybe it’ll become clearer when our protagonists ascend and see it all for themselves.
I had forgotten how frustrating the residents of Sacred Valley were and I very much shared Lindon’s frustration with them but again I respect Will Wight’s choice to do the less satisfying but more interesting thing. The whole escape from and then fight with the dreadgod was a bit messy with the back and forth but I liked the final plan with Dross’ sacrifice. He’d better not be gone though! I miss him already. My theory is that he moved over to the wandering titan’s mind in that final moment but maybe that’s wishful thinking and he really is gone. He was one of my favourites! RIP Dross, you were always so silly and I loved you for it.
I still can’t quite figure out why the Monarch’s aren’t willing to team up to fight the dreadgods. If they outnumber them and have similar levels of power, shouldn’t they be capable of beating them? I know they lost a lot of Monarchs last time they tried but why? I feel like there’s something going on there that’s not been fully explained yet. I was also wondering why Fury had to ascend (unless that was just for political reasons - two monarchs in one family might be too much of a threat to the other sects). One theory I have is that dreadgods and Monarchs have to be kept in balance for some reason - though I suppose that wouldn’t make sense since Seshethkunaaz died in the last book and he was a Monarch. Hmm. Food for thought.
Regardless, I’m very excited for the next book. I hope all the excitement doesn’t stop Lindon and the others from getting back on their advancement grind. I wanna see some Archlords, baby!
- 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
4.5
Love all of the Lindon/Yerin romance stuff as well, of course. Ruby was an absolute delight and Yerin finally accepting her was my favourite part of the entire series so far. I’m sad that since she’s part of Yerin now, we won’t get to see her anymore but I suppose her personality is a part of Yerin now. I wonder if we’ll see Yerin being a little more Ruby-like in the future (though they’re very similar anyway).
Reigan Shen is such a good villain and I can’t wait until the heroes eventually find a way to beat him. I also find Mercy’s story with her mother very meaningful and I hope one day she can supersede her mother in power and strike out on her own. No wonder she tried to leave the Akura family in the earlier books. Northstrider is such a funny and compelling character that I also love to see. Honestly all of the Uncrowned side characters were brilliant and I would happily see any of them again (though I guess half of them are dead now lol). Glad Yan Shomei made it out because I loved the parallels between her and Yerin. I wonder if Lindon is ever going to have to face all the people he’s killed bc his abilities were getting pretty dark in this book.
I’m also glad that Pride finally came around to Lindon in this book to an extent, they have such a funny dynamic. Speaking of humour, I knew from the bloopers at the end of each book that Will Wight was funny as hell and I’m so glad he finally let that shine in the ‘points!’ section of the book. Lindon is honestly insane at times and it was so wonderful to see him go fully feral and everyone else’s reactions. It was sad to lose Akura Grace, I feel like she didn’t have much going on and I would’ve liked to see more of her and Lindon’s friendship but maybe she was stepping on Mercy’s toes a little.
Such a bait and switch to have Lindon be the one with Sage abilities rather than Yerin! But Yerin isn’t undercut by it since she’s now a herald. (I still don’t 100% understand where Sage/Herald/Monarch sits in the advancement tree but hopefully I’ll figure it out eventually).
And now we’re going back to sacred valley! I can’t wait to see the Jai siblings again and get a good ol’ family reunion…. Unless Orthos and Kelsa leave before Lindon gets there. Damn.
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another great Cradle book! They always end before I’m ready for them to. I think
This was a really good book for Yerin. I really love the dynamic between her and the Winter Sage and I can’t wait to see them training together.
I wonder if they’re going to do a love triangle with Lindon, Mercy and Yerin. They hinted at it with
I also loved Naian Blackflame and his part of the story - it was so full of hope and then so devastating. They’re really building up the gold dragons as the antagonists and oh boy do I hate them.
I just remembered the chapters about sacred valley - I can’t believe that’s where Orthos went! I honestly really missed Orthos in this book and I wish we heard more from them but I hope Kelsa and Orthos end up going on a journey together. I’ve always liked Kelsa and I didn’t expect to see Lindon’s family again for a long while. Now I just want to see Jai Long and Jai Chen! And what a plot twist that the sacred valley actually makes people Jades, rather than them just being pathetic. Absolutely wild! There were a lot of huge revelations in this book. The setting of the Ninecloud City was great too, though I do wish we had seen more of it. Also, no Fisher Gesha :(.
I have to say, the Abidan sections really drag for me. I prefer it when we’re following Suriel because at least I’m invested in her character but I didn’t really enjoy the Iri/Makiel chapters as it felt a little disconnected from the main story. Very excited that the Abidan have finally shown themselves on Cradle though and it was a huge surprise to me that the Monarchs had all turned down a place in their ranks. I hope we get to find out why at some point. Though that explains how Northstrider knew what a presence was.
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Child death
- 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
Moderate: Chronic illness, Violence, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Outing, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and War
- 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
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
- 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