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lktx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Really enjoyed the premise, plotline and worldbuilding, just wish I'd read the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Body horror, and Gore
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, and Abortion
kimberly_o's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
kingrosereads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A sci-fi fantasy about bodily autonomy that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat gritting your teeth.
Elfreda Raughn is a magical practitioner part of the Sisterhood of Aytrium. The Sisters use a form of magic called lace that they regenerate by consuming the flesh of martyred Sisters. These are usually their mothers and they're put into these comas that keep them on the brink of death. A Sister's duty includes making more Sisters, however the problem is the Sisters don't have a choice and their lace curses the men they become intimate with and they will eventually have to be martyred so their daughters may consume them. Elfreda is willing to do everything and anything she can to avoid bearing a child, including becoming a spy for the rebel cause.
It's the casual cannibalism for me. Like literally, I cannot deal with cannibalism so thankfully those scenes were kept to a minimal. It was introduced in such a blasé way I was mentally shouting at the fact that everyone was just fine with it, but as it turns out, lots of people are grossed out by it.
Overall, I thought the concept was interesting and unique. The worldbuilding was also really different and I wish more time was spent on it. I love the magical system despite my disgust, and it was definitely a profound commentary on how even powerful women, the most powerful in society, have to make these incredible sacrifices. Also, bi women are running this civilization and I loved it.
I felt the pacing and the action sequences were a little off and jarring in places. It was also a little difficult to follow at times. But overall, it's a great read with a somewhat satisfying end.
Elfreda Raughn is a magical practitioner part of the Sisterhood of Aytrium. The Sisters use a form of magic called lace that they regenerate by consuming the flesh of martyred Sisters. These are usually their mothers and they're put into these comas that keep them on the brink of death. A Sister's duty includes making more Sisters, however the problem is the Sisters don't have a choice and their lace curses the men they become intimate with and they will eventually have to be martyred so their daughters may consume them. Elfreda is willing to do everything and anything she can to avoid bearing a child, including becoming a spy for the rebel cause.
It's the casual cannibalism for me. Like literally, I cannot deal with cannibalism so thankfully those scenes were kept to a minimal. It was introduced in such a blasé way I was mentally shouting at the fact that everyone was just fine with it, but as it turns out, lots of people are grossed out by it.
Overall, I thought the concept was interesting and unique. The worldbuilding was also really different and I wish more time was spent on it. I love the magical system despite my disgust, and it was definitely a profound commentary on how even powerful women, the most powerful in society, have to make these incredible sacrifices. Also, bi women are running this civilization and I loved it.
I felt the pacing and the action sequences were a little off and jarring in places. It was also a little difficult to follow at times. But overall, it's a great read with a somewhat satisfying end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
madeline_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book was a bit complicated for me. While I thought the world and plot were fun enough the cannibalism plot was a lot to handle. It was certainly interesting and a different take on how magic travels through out the wold.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault, Abortion, and Rape
uncommonloon's review
4.25
good plotting/pacing, good worldbuilding, good characterization, interesting themes (the failings of hereditary power in a homonormative, matriarchal society; hints of anti-imperialism). complaints: lack of gender exploration beyond the binary (a necessity in this day and age imo for books that focus on gender like this), colorblind/non race conscious worldbuilding (not "wrong," just tedious that colorblindness was not explored/justified in the way homo/binormativity was), + prose was fairly dry and functional, with occasional flourishes that the author seemed to add more out of obligation than for a desire for beautiful prose. either commit to a spare style or don't, lol. overall though I enjoyed this + thought it had interesting things to say. hmmmm 4.25/5? need to think on it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Sexual assault
Minor: Forced institutionalization
twoclaws's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Violence, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Body horror, Abortion, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Sexual assault
softieghost's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Star Eater was quite enjoyable. The world is something new (not your typical vaguely historical fantasy) and the magical concepts were engaging. I was continually surprised by the author's creativity in world building.
On the downside, the book was a bit dense and there is a huge cast of characters. Now, the author helpfully gives you a list on the first page of everyone you need to know, but it still felt a bit jumbled.
There were times a character would say "X person fights for OUR side" and I 1) couldn't remember who that person was and 2) couldn't remember what "that side" wanted.
Main character seems a bit lost even up to the end as well. I never got the sense that she truly knew what she was fighting for.
On the downside, the book was a bit dense and there is a huge cast of characters. Now, the author helpfully gives you a list on the first page of everyone you need to know, but it still felt a bit jumbled.
There were times a character would say "X person fights for OUR side" and I 1) couldn't remember who that person was and 2) couldn't remember what "that side" wanted.
Main character seems a bit lost even up to the end as well. I never got the sense that she truly knew what she was fighting for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Abortion, Gore, and Sexual content
middlekmissie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Sexual assault
natnoble66693's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Elfreda is part of the sisterhood that rules Aytrium and protects its citizens. She would do almost anything to avoid duties and in particular pregnancy. When offered a chance to avoid this by spying on high ranking members for another faction of the sisterhood, she begrudgingly starts to give information. Through her involvement in the politics of the sisterhood she learns secrets and history that could entirely change the entire worldview of everyone who lives on Aytrium. This book was a wild ride. The most endearing factor was Elfreda herself. She was a well established character from the start and felt so real with her actions and feelings that I just needed to know how her story ended. The world building was also done so well. With El’s existing knowledge of Aytrium and the information she learns we get a lush comprehensive worldview of the magic and history in the world. Which is integral to the quality of the story and to the plot. However, the world that Hall created was so wild and weird that it took me a little longer to get into the story than I would have liked. This story investigates the relationships between women as friends, mothers, sisters, lovers and mentors, but these questions are explored in sometimes violent and brutal ways. Honestly the extremes in the world created was my biggest turn off but it was definitely necessary and made the amazing characters stand out. All in all an awesome work of fantasy that takes a common plot and turns it all on its head.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
sageleafpark's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
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