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biobeetle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship
nyx0s's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexual harassment
jessicaofthetower's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I recently finished reading "Masters of Death" by Olivie Blake and had a mixed experience with it. Initially, I found it difficult to get into, with the pacing feeling bogged down in places. However, the book won me over in the last third as the plot picked up pace and character dynamics deepened. The intrigue of the character dynamics and their stories are ultimately what drives this story forward.
The first third of the book spends a lot of time on character introductions and world building that does not necessarily pay off with depth or complexity. The main cast of characters are interesting, flawed and enjoyable but there are many superfluous characters that add little to the plot and are not well or clearly developed. I found their inclusion slowed pacing and clogged up the plot's arteries.
The first third of the book spends a lot of time on character introductions and world building that does not necessarily pay off with depth or complexity. The main cast of characters are interesting, flawed and enjoyable but there are many superfluous characters that add little to the plot and are not well or clearly developed. I found their inclusion slowed pacing and clogged up the plot's arteries.
Another aspect of book that stood out to me was the writing style. It's quite stylized, with a very loud authorial voice that sometimes broke immersion for me. The witty banter, particularly between Fox and Brandt, often felt like it was trying too hard. In other dynamics such as between Tom and Viola it felt more authentic and natural.
I enjoyed the diversity in the characters and by the end of the book had connected with most of the main cast of characters, although that process certainly felt slower than typical for me. The tone of the story was generally witty, humorous and philosophical which I think contributed to it feeling quite cerebral and head-lead rather than heart-lead.
I enjoyed the diversity in the characters and by the end of the book had connected with most of the main cast of characters, although that process certainly felt slower than typical for me. The tone of the story was generally witty, humorous and philosophical which I think contributed to it feeling quite cerebral and head-lead rather than heart-lead.
Despite these issues, I appreciated the good vibes, overall aesthetic and satisfying ending. If you're a fan of stylized writing and witty dialogue, you might enjoy this book. It took some time, but ultimately, I was glad I stuck with it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
dev921's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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: Cursing, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
nixonice's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
kal517's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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: Death and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
risaleel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Incest, and Classism
sarasreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
I've read another book by this author, but this one is my favorite by far. It's confusing and fun, funny and emotional, and has such a satisfying conclusion. I laughed out loud so many times. I had a fabulous time with this one.
You're also dropped into certain scenes knowing nothing, or even knowing who is in them, and you're not supposed to. I should have bookmarked these to come back to, once I knew what was going on in them. I think it'll be a great reread!
You're also dropped into certain scenes knowing nothing, or even knowing who is in them, and you're not supposed to. I should have bookmarked these to come back to, once I knew what was going on in them. I think it'll be a great reread!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Murder
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
aromarrie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
this author shared so much about human experiences and what it feels like to hope and love. despite all the twists and turns that felt like driving in a never-ending tunnel, it was incredibly reassuring getting to just experience this ride knowing there was still more to come.
the chemistry between all the characters was phenomenal, yes, but the level of distinction with each and every one of them will always blow me away. you see bits and pieces of their backstories and then come to see even more get revealed as time goes on because that's how every story goes--you don't know the full extent of what it entails unless you're willing to read through to the end. and one of my favorite messages that i took away from this one was that there's every level of interpretation you can take from it, and it's those interpretations that prove how much this story evolves with each reader.
i've recently been getting into the bare bones of physics and of course i want to go deeper, so i'm also grateful towards the author for indulging me at this perfect time of picking up this story by balancing physics and the humanities so well. when you handle the laws of physics and all the swirling questions that physicists spend the rest of their lives chasing after, and then tie it into this paranormal fantasy that has so much of the supernatural and yet stakes morality to be at the center--there's just so many new ideas to be left with by the end.
i had one of the most memorable experiences reading this story, and i absolutely loved all the characters and getting to see them from the beginning to the end.
i love the title and love the cover, everything that occurred in this novel was marvelous and just as i wear my heart on my sleeve everywhere i go, i'll always love knowing that i'll have these characters be with me as well.
the chemistry between all the characters was phenomenal, yes, but the level of distinction with each and every one of them will always blow me away. you see bits and pieces of their backstories and then come to see even more get revealed as time goes on because that's how every story goes--you don't know the full extent of what it entails unless you're willing to read through to the end. and one of my favorite messages that i took away from this one was that there's every level of interpretation you can take from it, and it's those interpretations that prove how much this story evolves with each reader.
i've recently been getting into the bare bones of physics and of course i want to go deeper, so i'm also grateful towards the author for indulging me at this perfect time of picking up this story by balancing physics and the humanities so well. when you handle the laws of physics and all the swirling questions that physicists spend the rest of their lives chasing after, and then tie it into this paranormal fantasy that has so much of the supernatural and yet stakes morality to be at the center--there's just so many new ideas to be left with by the end.
i had one of the most memorable experiences reading this story, and i absolutely loved all the characters and getting to see them from the beginning to the end.
i love the title and love the cover, everything that occurred in this novel was marvelous and just as i wear my heart on my sleeve everywhere i go, i'll always love knowing that i'll have these characters be with me as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Murder, and Abandonment