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an_erratic_reader's review against another edition
- 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
'Byss and Blood!
In Godsgrave, the second book in the Nevernight Chronicle series, Mia's quest for revenge leads her deeper into the world of assassins and the politics of the Republic of Itreya. She becomes embroiled in a deadly game of power and influence, where betrayal is common.
Mia enters the deadly gladiatorial games in Godsgrave, fighting not just for survival but to get closer to her ultimate target. The games are brutal, and Mia must use all her skills to stay alive. She will end up a totally different person, not because of the fighting.
Finally, as she navigates the treacherous waters of her life as an assassin, she uncovers more about her dark powers and the shadows that follow her. The lore of the world expands, revealing secrets that tie back to the larger narrative.
WHAT I LIKED
It's hard not to really like Mia, her daemons too, and the way she grows along the bloody vengeful path she walks.
Also, the larger narrative on her family background and her being a darkin get clearer but also more mysterious and engaging.
Finally, Kristoff Jay's signature writing style, combining sharp wit, elaborate world-building, plot twists and a cliff-hanger that left me dumbstruck. He is a real prodigy of the fantasy genre.
WHAT I DISLIKED
The way Dona Leona's arc wraps up is a bit anticlimactic, just like Mia's fight with the Unfallen (which I was hoping would be magnificent).
Also, I withhold any comments on how the book ends, as I need to see how it is explained in the third and final book.
WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?
'Byss and Blood, yes! Mia, Mr Kindly and Eclipse's banter, the fights, the footnotes (!), the world-building etc are all top-notch.
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
ek4therin4h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Death, Sexual content, Slavery, Excrement, and Gore
cball98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Trafficking, Animal death, Medical content, Vomit, Death, Slavery, Sexual content, Murder, Violence, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Excrement, and Blood
lisavandonselaar's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Death, Gore, Sexual content, and Slavery
Moderate: Animal death and Grief
jesus_d's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Violence, Gore, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Vomit, and Slavery
anntharai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Trafficking, Bullying, Child abuse, Violence, Medical trauma, Confinement, Death, Slavery, Ableism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Torture, Classism, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
rafacolog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Sexism, Murder, Blood, and Death
dragonaion's review against another edition
- 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
With that, I am delighted to already have the final book beside me so I can read this story just as it feels it was written-back to back.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Religious bigotry, Murder, Medical content, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Blood, Violence, Trafficking, Sexual content, and Slavery
Moderate: Confinement, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
Minor: Vomit, Infertility, and Sexism
toodrew's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Sure that existed in Nevernight, but it wasn't the only thing in Nevernight. I enjoyed the world-building and the themes more. But in this one, at least in my mind, it lost a lot of it's narrative purpose. It multiplied the problems of the first.
Kristoff doesn't write the queer couple like an actual couple, but a fetish. Nevernight had this problem too. In a brief scene where Mia kisses Ashlynn. Her love-interest responds with anger and. . . . nah just kidding. He talks about how hot it is because remember women loving women relationships only exist to please men. A woman can't be a threat to a hetero relationship. But this was pretty brief. His problem with writing women loving women relationships is so much worse in this one because he decided to bring it to the forefront. Mia doesn't even question if she's bi until MONTHS LITERAL MONTHS after she had a threesome with a woman. Like what?
Look the world really doesn't need any more terrible queer representation. If you can't write a queer character than just don't.
There were other problems. Character Development is not there.
I liked the writing-style and the tone but this one really crashed and burned.
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Blood, Child death, and Death
miriam_5255's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Sexual content