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emmas_reads_'s review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and thought it tackled some uncomfortable topics which I appreciate, especially at the time I read this.
The book kind of dragged in the middle for me and I thought the writing was pretty average. There was a part in the beginning where the priest with blood magic choked Ximena and I wasn't really sure how because blood doesn't control the lungs. However, it didn't happen again so I thought it a one off.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and thought it tackled some uncomfortable topics which I appreciate, especially at the time I read this.
The book kind of dragged in the middle for me and I thought the writing was pretty average. There was a part in the beginning where the priest with blood magic choked Ximena and I wasn't really sure how because blood doesn't control the lungs. However, it didn't happen again so I thought it a one off.
hailey2510's review against another edition
4.0
This was great throughout, and I really enjoyed it. However, it’s been a couple days since I finished this and I don’t remember much. That could just be me, or maybe the book just wasn’t that memorable. Was good in the moment though, which is more important to me.
sweetpoet's review against another edition
2.0
I just couldn't get into this book maybe its just the kind of reading mood I'm in right now.... but it just wasn't working for me, I was confused about who was who, and the politics kind of fantasy books are never my thing. I was hoping for more magic
jesshaleth's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.5
bratiani's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
3.75
racheln23's review against another edition
Simply put, it’s a big snoozer. Chapter 1 was 5% of the book. And it was about there not being enough rations for a people. Nothing exciting, although I think the author was trying to set things up for later. But the story is NOW! Or I won’t be around later!
larasoares187's review against another edition
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? No
4.25
dodie_sullivan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wandaka's review against another edition
4.0
This was quite an interesting read. The plot was good but I still felt like something was missing or certain parts were too fast paced for me. There were so many times that I got annoyed at the MC because of her actions but I could see where she was coming from so I’m not gonna talk about that. Overall it was a nice read so giving it 3.75⭐️
Also, so excited to pick up the sequel and read from Catalina’s pov!
Also, so excited to pick up the sequel and read from Catalina’s pov!
mitskacir's review against another edition
2.0
I was initially excited to read this book because I have been looking for fantasy novels written by women of color. However, after the initial hype I saw around this book, I read this review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3222875716?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1 (which I think anyone considering this book should read), which gives some context to the racial and ethnic history of Bolivia and how Ibañez based her story off real people and cultures. Because I had already bought the book, I decided I would read it anyway, and keep an eye on her representation of the Llascans (the in-book culture based on indigenous Bolivians).
Thoughts on representation: After doing some brief research of my own into Bolivian history, it was really obvious that Ibañez's "good" Illustrian people is rooted in Spanish colonist culture, while her "bad" Llascan people represents indigenous Bolivians. Her main villain, King Atoc, is based on Bolivia's first indigenous President Evo Morales (as stated by the author herself at the end of the book), and is unambiguously evil, stupid, and power hungry. The Illustrians worship the moon (luna), a clear reference to the Media Luna (eastern) region of Bolivia, which is predominantly mestizo and white. The main character is Illustrian, and she does end up unlearning many of her prejudices against the Llascans and ultimately sides with them. This fact makes it clear that many of the ways Ibañez portrays the Llascans are supposed to be taken as biased stereotypes, and her characters do acknowledge the institutional oppression that caused the Llascans to overthrow the Illustrian government in the first place. I think it was interesting that the book was told from the viewpoint of someone clearly in the wrong, who realizes her errors and works toward what she now sees as a more equitable society. However, I do question the author's choice to so straightforwardly equate the cultures (and individuals!) in her book with real-life ones - I completely understand why an indigenous Bolivian would not enjoy reading about their culture being degraded and vilified for most of the book.
Thoughts on the book in general: The writing was patchy for me - sometimes I was mildly impressed (the magic was interesting, some plot points were unexpected), but there were some times when I rolled my eyes (ex. the completely uninteresting love story, Ximena's reaction at finding out who El Lobo was, the perky bow on the crumbling ending). Overall, it kept me reading, but more because of the ease of reading it rather than how engaging it was.
Thoughts on representation: After doing some brief research of my own into Bolivian history, it was really obvious that Ibañez's "good" Illustrian people is rooted in Spanish colonist culture, while her "bad" Llascan people represents indigenous Bolivians. Her main villain, King Atoc, is based on Bolivia's first indigenous President Evo Morales (as stated by the author herself at the end of the book), and is unambiguously evil, stupid, and power hungry. The Illustrians worship the moon (luna), a clear reference to the Media Luna (eastern) region of Bolivia, which is predominantly mestizo and white. The main character is Illustrian, and she does end up unlearning many of her prejudices against the Llascans and ultimately sides with them. This fact makes it clear that many of the ways Ibañez portrays the Llascans are supposed to be taken as biased stereotypes, and her characters do acknowledge the institutional oppression that caused the Llascans to overthrow the Illustrian government in the first place. I think it was interesting that the book was told from the viewpoint of someone clearly in the wrong, who realizes her errors and works toward what she now sees as a more equitable society. However, I do question the author's choice to so straightforwardly equate the cultures (and individuals!) in her book with real-life ones - I completely understand why an indigenous Bolivian would not enjoy reading about their culture being degraded and vilified for most of the book.
Thoughts on the book in general: The writing was patchy for me - sometimes I was mildly impressed (the magic was interesting, some plot points were unexpected), but there were some times when I rolled my eyes (ex. the completely uninteresting love story, Ximena's reaction at finding out who El Lobo was, the perky bow on the crumbling ending). Overall, it kept me reading, but more because of the ease of reading it rather than how engaging it was.