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crow43's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so late on reviewing this but I freaking loved this book!!
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? Yes
3.0
Diamond City kicks off with a literal bomb, so you know you're in for some fast-paced action. It maintains its breakneck pace for fight scenes, assassinations, going on the run, and prison breaks. While there aren't any heists, it captures that energy whenever the characters need to scheme for one of their high-risk endeavors.
Our protagonist is assassin Aina Solís. She was "saved" from her life as an orphan on the streets and given a chance to make something of herself instead of living for her glue addiction. This shift in fortunes earned her loyalty and dedication, even her adoration, for the boss who made her his Blade. Sure, the slightest mistake would mean she's cut off or even killed, but her success could see her on even footing with the man who has an almost godlike quality in her life.
If it weren't already clear, the book deals with some heavy topics like trauma, addiction, and toxic relationships. It also turns a sharp eye on capitalism and all the social, economic issues it encourages. From the murder of Aina's parents for their religious beliefs to her limited options to build a life for herself, Aina's experiences stand in sharp contrast to the business tycoon she's sent to assassinate. But like any strong fantasy or dystopian story, things are a bit more complicated than they first seem to our protagonist. As Aina's world and plans for her future implode, she comes to some difficult realizations about the world she lives in and her role in it.
The book's fast pace means that some explanations are glossed over, so don't expect extensive world-building. This also affects the story's relationships. The romantic subplot is a sort of love quadrangle. Or maybe even more complicated than that? The way the elements flit through, it's hard to know where Aina's head is. She's bi and has three guys and maybe one girl as potential future flames. I respect that she doesn't feel in the right headspace to pick something up with someone in this book, so don't expect a full romance.
I wasn't drawn into the story enough to want to read the second in the duology, but I ~was~ curious enough to look up spoilers. My final thoughts are that I liked the ideas behind this book but feel it didn't live up to its potential in execution. I found it hard to care about all the action sequences without more character-focused moments to balance them out.
Our protagonist is assassin Aina Solís. She was "saved" from her life as an orphan on the streets and given a chance to make something of herself instead of living for her glue addiction. This shift in fortunes earned her loyalty and dedication, even her adoration, for the boss who made her his Blade. Sure, the slightest mistake would mean she's cut off or even killed, but her success could see her on even footing with the man who has an almost godlike quality in her life.
If it weren't already clear, the book deals with some heavy topics like trauma, addiction, and toxic relationships. It also turns a sharp eye on capitalism and all the social, economic issues it encourages. From the murder of Aina's parents for their religious beliefs to her limited options to build a life for herself, Aina's experiences stand in sharp contrast to the business tycoon she's sent to assassinate. But like any strong fantasy or dystopian story, things are a bit more complicated than they first seem to our protagonist. As Aina's world and plans for her future implode, she comes to some difficult realizations about the world she lives in and her role in it.
The book's fast pace means that some explanations are glossed over, so don't expect extensive world-building. This also affects the story's relationships. The romantic subplot is a sort of love quadrangle. Or maybe even more complicated than that? The way the elements flit through, it's hard to know where Aina's head is. She's bi and has three guys and maybe one girl as potential future flames. I respect that she doesn't feel in the right headspace to pick something up with someone in this book, so don't expect a full romance.
I wasn't drawn into the story enough to want to read the second in the duology, but I ~was~ curious enough to look up spoilers. My final thoughts are that I liked the ideas behind this book but feel it didn't live up to its potential in execution. I found it hard to care about all the action sequences without more character-focused moments to balance them out.
hiveretcafe's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
please be advised that my experience of this book is fraught with problems, mostly on my part. I started reading this and then fell kind of into a reading slump and kind of got distracted by other things. I just couldn't really bring myself to get sucked into it, though at that point it would have taken like a book that I would rate 5+ stars to pull me out of the funk that I was (am) in.
In any case, the synopsis of this book doesn't really tell you anything about what this book is about. Aina is an assassin who is trying to make her own way in the world that she's in. In order to achieve the freedom that she's been looking for, she just has to pull off one last big job. However, everything goes wrong and soon Aina finds herself at the heart of a political conspiracy and needs to go on her journey to finish off the job.
My main problem with the book as I finished this off is that I kind of had a hard time picturing the world that this book is set in. I already have a hard time with visualizing spaces based off written word alone and I hope that in the finished book that there's some kind of map. I managed to get a sort of vibe, but I wasn't really able to grasp a specific vision in my head of what this world looked like.
Also warning, this book contains substance abuse and also giant freaky spiders.
Aina is a really interesting character with convictions and a difficult past that informs the decisions she makes. Kohl, her mentor, is also a really interesting character and you don't really know his motivations until the end.
please be advised that my experience of this book is fraught with problems, mostly on my part. I started reading this and then fell kind of into a reading slump and kind of got distracted by other things. I just couldn't really bring myself to get sucked into it, though at that point it would have taken like a book that I would rate 5+ stars to pull me out of the funk that I was (am) in.
In any case, the synopsis of this book doesn't really tell you anything about what this book is about. Aina is an assassin who is trying to make her own way in the world that she's in. In order to achieve the freedom that she's been looking for, she just has to pull off one last big job. However, everything goes wrong and soon Aina finds herself at the heart of a political conspiracy and needs to go on her journey to finish off the job.
My main problem with the book as I finished this off is that I kind of had a hard time picturing the world that this book is set in. I already have a hard time with visualizing spaces based off written word alone and I hope that in the finished book that there's some kind of map. I managed to get a sort of vibe, but I wasn't really able to grasp a specific vision in my head of what this world looked like.
Also warning, this book contains substance abuse and also giant freaky spiders.
Aina is a really interesting character with convictions and a difficult past that informs the decisions she makes. Kohl, her mentor, is also a really interesting character and you don't really know his motivations until the end.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
Most definitely got some Six of Crows vibes while reading Diamond City. In it, you will meet Kohl and Aina. Now in the beginning, she is at her lowest. Like the lowest of the lows. Lower than rock bottom - if that even exists. Then an angel came in and saved her life.
Enter Kohl, the crime lord freaking angel. He trains Aina to become an assassin and eventually becomes his sharpest blades. While working 9-5 for the crime lord, Aina dips her toes into selling illegal diamonds on the side. Not sure when she found the time but good for her. Get your own money. You do you boo boo.
Of course, she is given one final kill order and she could get her freedom. Now at this point, I was getting John Wick vibes because he had the hardest job to do before he could earn his freedom and live a normal life with his wife. Unfortunately for her, things don't go the way she planned and now she's on Kohl's bad side.
Aina was a very enjoyable and likable character - at least for me. Maybe it's because she had to deal with gangs and crime lords but honestly, I devoured the whole thing. I will admit, though, that some things were a bit confusing for me and I'm hoping the next book might explain it all a bit more. Then again, I did have pudding brain from working completely crazy and chaotic hours during the last two weeks of September.. so in a way I'm not even surprised that I was confused.
In the end, I have the ARC of the next book and I can't wait to dive into it!
Enter Kohl, the crime lord freaking angel. He trains Aina to become an assassin and eventually becomes his sharpest blades. While working 9-5 for the crime lord, Aina dips her toes into selling illegal diamonds on the side. Not sure when she found the time but good for her. Get your own money. You do you boo boo.
Of course, she is given one final kill order and she could get her freedom. Now at this point, I was getting John Wick vibes because he had the hardest job to do before he could earn his freedom and live a normal life with his wife. Unfortunately for her, things don't go the way she planned and now she's on Kohl's bad side.
Aina was a very enjoyable and likable character - at least for me. Maybe it's because she had to deal with gangs and crime lords but honestly, I devoured the whole thing. I will admit, though, that some things were a bit confusing for me and I'm hoping the next book might explain it all a bit more. Then again, I did have pudding brain from working completely crazy and chaotic hours during the last two weeks of September.. so in a way I'm not even surprised that I was confused.
In the end, I have the ARC of the next book and I can't wait to dive into it!
ladynightwolf's review against another edition
3.0
In a post-civil war city where religion is dangerous, possessing raw diamonds can get you executed, and criminals roam the streets freely, who can you trust?
Aina is a blade, a hired assassin, who has worked for The Blood King since he found her passed out in a tavern from sniffing glue in her early teens. Orphaned at a young age after having watched her parents murdered for their religious beliefs, she never really hoped to make anything of herself before The Blood King, Kohl, found her and trained her to be one of his blades. Now, six years later, he has given her the biggest job of her life, one that may give her the chance to secure a future outside of the Dom where she can run her own trade house.
Aina has been given the opportunity of a lifetime, even if her target is a member of one of the richest families is the city. But Aina is undoubtedly one of the best blades in the city. However, when something goes dreadfully wrong and she finds herself outside of the protection of The Blood King, she is given only one chance to make it right before the city eats her alive. Who can she turn to in a city that now has a price on her head and enemies around every corner?
I enjoyed Diamond City. I pictured the city in tiers with a piratical edge. The world building was well done, the characters well rounded, and the cast was probably one of the most diverse I’ve ever experienced in a YA novel. There were twists, turns, and surprises all over the place. Was it a little predictable? For some people it might be, but for me, the various plotlines that were braided together left a lot of mystery and by the end I was kicking myself for not putting it all together.
The issues that the characters face are also very relatable. Loss, addiction, and being unable to know who to trust as well as cleansing yourself of toxic relationships are all very relatable concepts. I didn’t relate that well with Aina as she was very self-serving at times, but she grew as a person throughout the book and I would really like to see where the the author takes her character arc. I did love Teo, Kyuu and Raurie, and I loved the descriptions of Tannis and Jane, I felt like they were the best described. However, the relationships that Aina has with each character could probably be fleshed out a little more, and perhaps they will be. This is one of those books that doesn’t feel like a stand-alone. Matter of fact, the action picked up a lot in the last 40% of the book. The end felt a little too rushed for that and things were only as tied up as a first book in a series would allow.
Overall, I think it was worth a read. I feel like the world is alone is worth it. The author does an amazing job building the world itself and the structural/social hierarchy. I enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Aina is a blade, a hired assassin, who has worked for The Blood King since he found her passed out in a tavern from sniffing glue in her early teens. Orphaned at a young age after having watched her parents murdered for their religious beliefs, she never really hoped to make anything of herself before The Blood King, Kohl, found her and trained her to be one of his blades. Now, six years later, he has given her the biggest job of her life, one that may give her the chance to secure a future outside of the Dom where she can run her own trade house.
Aina has been given the opportunity of a lifetime, even if her target is a member of one of the richest families is the city. But Aina is undoubtedly one of the best blades in the city. However, when something goes dreadfully wrong and she finds herself outside of the protection of The Blood King, she is given only one chance to make it right before the city eats her alive. Who can she turn to in a city that now has a price on her head and enemies around every corner?
I enjoyed Diamond City. I pictured the city in tiers with a piratical edge. The world building was well done, the characters well rounded, and the cast was probably one of the most diverse I’ve ever experienced in a YA novel. There were twists, turns, and surprises all over the place. Was it a little predictable? For some people it might be, but for me, the various plotlines that were braided together left a lot of mystery and by the end I was kicking myself for not putting it all together.
The issues that the characters face are also very relatable. Loss, addiction, and being unable to know who to trust as well as cleansing yourself of toxic relationships are all very relatable concepts. I didn’t relate that well with Aina as she was very self-serving at times, but she grew as a person throughout the book and I would really like to see where the the author takes her character arc. I did love Teo, Kyuu and Raurie, and I loved the descriptions of Tannis and Jane, I felt like they were the best described. However, the relationships that Aina has with each character could probably be fleshed out a little more, and perhaps they will be. This is one of those books that doesn’t feel like a stand-alone. Matter of fact, the action picked up a lot in the last 40% of the book. The end felt a little too rushed for that and things were only as tied up as a first book in a series would allow.
Overall, I think it was worth a read. I feel like the world is alone is worth it. The author does an amazing job building the world itself and the structural/social hierarchy. I enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!
bookclubbitches's review against another edition
I bought this book at the dollar store. The plot, setting and concept for this book is just too big, not thought out enough and just not easy to understand. The author's note was quite touching and I totally believe that this was a passion project for them, but I feel like maybe they're the only one that understands the world they created...
darkandsteamylit's review against another edition
3.0
“Do you know the secret to survival?”
This book was a roller coaster of a ride. It was action packed from the prologue to the end. The world building is rich and vibrant. I felt like I was there on there in the city streets with the characters and I love that in world building. When an author can build a world that the reader feel apart of is always so amazing to me.
Our MC Aina is an orphaned assassin known as a Blade, trained for a young age after her parents are murdered in front of her. She lived on the streets of the Stacks for a few years before a stranger approached her in a bar, saved her from a bombing in the bar, and offering her a job and a home. The only stipulation she can not fail.
Kohl the Blood King of Diamond City, the man that saved Aina from the stacks. Their relationship is absolutely twisted. Aina does everything to gain Kohl’s approval and hopes that maybe one day he will see her as an equal and something more.
Teo, Aina’s best friend and only person she trusts is a lone assassin. He takes jobs to help take care of his sick mother after his father was killed. And he might be in love with Aina. Aina is blinded but her obsession with Kohl and she doesn’t want to lose Teo’s friendship to even consider him in that way. When Kohl gives Aina her biggest job yet she enlists the help of Teo with promises of a huge payout. Aina’s newest hit is none other than the Kouta Hirai. One of the City’s wealthiest men.
When the job goes horribly wrong and Kouta escapes, Aina is left moneyless, homeless, and with a price on her head. Kohl tossed her out and took her only protection away. Now the city and her rivals are out for blood. Aina makes her way back to the scene of the crime to finish the job only to find out that Kouta is gone and only his younger brother is left. Ryuu offers her triple to help him find his brother and to uncover why someone wanted his brother dead.
In a city full of diamonds, blood, giant spiders, and assassins what could go wrong?
This story was a page turner. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the story for the first 100 pages. I kept wanting to see what was going to happen, but I wasn’t in love with it. I couldn’t explain it. As the story progressed I got more invested and found I really enjoyed it.
The down fall for me was the repetitiveness if somethings. An example is how many times Aina’s parents being murder is mentioned and her fear of guns because of it. I literally lost count of how many times this is repeated and it was driving me crazy. Like okay I get they were murder and that’s where a lot of her fears and need to live comes from. I don’t need to read it on every page. This was the main repetition, but there was a few more and that’s the main reason I didn’t give it more stars.
The things I really liked were the world building, the relationships between the characters, and Kohl (yes I love a good villain), and I really liked the fact that their were hints of different possible love interests but nothing’s come of any of them which I think will add to the story in the next book. Which could build on the story and evolve the characters.
“What’s one thing an assassin always makes sure to have?”
“A backup.”
This book was a roller coaster of a ride. It was action packed from the prologue to the end. The world building is rich and vibrant. I felt like I was there on there in the city streets with the characters and I love that in world building. When an author can build a world that the reader feel apart of is always so amazing to me.
Our MC Aina is an orphaned assassin known as a Blade, trained for a young age after her parents are murdered in front of her. She lived on the streets of the Stacks for a few years before a stranger approached her in a bar, saved her from a bombing in the bar, and offering her a job and a home. The only stipulation she can not fail.
Kohl the Blood King of Diamond City, the man that saved Aina from the stacks. Their relationship is absolutely twisted. Aina does everything to gain Kohl’s approval and hopes that maybe one day he will see her as an equal and something more.
Teo, Aina’s best friend and only person she trusts is a lone assassin. He takes jobs to help take care of his sick mother after his father was killed. And he might be in love with Aina. Aina is blinded but her obsession with Kohl and she doesn’t want to lose Teo’s friendship to even consider him in that way. When Kohl gives Aina her biggest job yet she enlists the help of Teo with promises of a huge payout. Aina’s newest hit is none other than the Kouta Hirai. One of the City’s wealthiest men.
When the job goes horribly wrong and Kouta escapes, Aina is left moneyless, homeless, and with a price on her head. Kohl tossed her out and took her only protection away. Now the city and her rivals are out for blood. Aina makes her way back to the scene of the crime to finish the job only to find out that Kouta is gone and only his younger brother is left. Ryuu offers her triple to help him find his brother and to uncover why someone wanted his brother dead.
In a city full of diamonds, blood, giant spiders, and assassins what could go wrong?
This story was a page turner. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the story for the first 100 pages. I kept wanting to see what was going to happen, but I wasn’t in love with it. I couldn’t explain it. As the story progressed I got more invested and found I really enjoyed it.
The down fall for me was the repetitiveness if somethings. An example is how many times Aina’s parents being murder is mentioned and her fear of guns because of it. I literally lost count of how many times this is repeated and it was driving me crazy. Like okay I get they were murder and that’s where a lot of her fears and need to live comes from. I don’t need to read it on every page. This was the main repetition, but there was a few more and that’s the main reason I didn’t give it more stars.
The things I really liked were the world building, the relationships between the characters, and Kohl (yes I love a good villain), and I really liked the fact that their were hints of different possible love interests but nothing’s come of any of them which I think will add to the story in the next book. Which could build on the story and evolve the characters.
“What’s one thing an assassin always makes sure to have?”
“A backup.”
guylou's review against another edition
5.0
What an exciting debut for this new series by Francesca Flores! It has all the right elements to be a best-seller book. It has action galore, fantastic strong characters, betrayal, friendship, and relatability. The essence of the book will sound true to the readers.
Aina SolÍs is a survivor. After witnessing her parents’ murder, she ends up on the street until the day she meets Kohl. He takes her under his wings, trains her, and she becomes his best assassin… at least until she messes up and one of her targets survives. She loses Kohl’s protection and must fight to stay alive. With the help of a group of eclectic friends, she attempts to complete the job she messed up. Nothing comes easy. She discovers that she was lied to and that what she thought was right is not.
This series is perfect for fans of Divergent, Shadow Hunters, and The Remnant Chronicles.
millennialbookreview's review against another edition
3.0
Diamond City is a novel that I don’t know how I feel about. I loved the world and the magic. The plot, while predictable at times, had plenty of surprises in store. The story ends with plenty of room for a continuation and sets up a compelling confrontation down the road. At the same time, the characters fell flat for me and the conflict didn’t feel as exciting as I expected it to. The writing was fine, but can be improved. It was a story that I liked, but I think I was expecting more from. I’d still recommend it, however. It was a fun read and reminded me of other books I’ve enjoyed quite a lot.
My full review can be found here
My full review can be found here
peneloperea's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.
I love me a female assassin and was super excited about the premise of Diamond City by Francesca Flores. Sadly, it didn’t live up to the expectations for me. Although I enjoyed the world building, the intense depictions of class inequality and religious persecution, I had a tough time with some of the character development and pacing.
Diamond City is a YA urban fantasy about a young kid-turned assassin after her parents are murdered when she was 8 years old. She is taken in by a wealthy young man who is building his own empire. He trains her to not only be the best assassin but to be smart. We meet Aina, the assassin, at age 18. Her boss has tasked her with the hardest assassination every attempted and when things go wrong, she is forced to team up with her enemy to fight her boss…
I found Aina difficult to get behind. I love a morally grey character who is struggling to do what’s best for her but as a highly trained assassin I found some of her decision to not only be stupid but flat out ridiculous. She’s supposed to be intelligent enough to have survived in this war-torn world, but she makes some reckless decisions that I just found frustrating. Which led me to think, how has this girl survived.
My other problem was not so much with the MC but with the love square that is introduced. Aina is in love with her boss but she doesn’t realize is. He is abusive and toxic which is as old as time and I’d love to meet a female character who falls for the bad boy who doesn’t abuse her. Find me those characters please. On top of her boss, she also has feelings for a couple other characters. She’s young and still figuring herself out but in a book I want a better idea of who the love interest is. That can change but give me more than a tease of three different people.
In the end the premise interested me and although I enjoyed the idea of an assassination going wrong and the MC having to find new allies to survive, the story overall fell flat for me. I’m sure many will love the world that Francesca Flores build and Aina but sadly I may not be one of them.
I love me a female assassin and was super excited about the premise of Diamond City by Francesca Flores. Sadly, it didn’t live up to the expectations for me. Although I enjoyed the world building, the intense depictions of class inequality and religious persecution, I had a tough time with some of the character development and pacing.
Diamond City is a YA urban fantasy about a young kid-turned assassin after her parents are murdered when she was 8 years old. She is taken in by a wealthy young man who is building his own empire. He trains her to not only be the best assassin but to be smart. We meet Aina, the assassin, at age 18. Her boss has tasked her with the hardest assassination every attempted and when things go wrong, she is forced to team up with her enemy to fight her boss…
I found Aina difficult to get behind. I love a morally grey character who is struggling to do what’s best for her but as a highly trained assassin I found some of her decision to not only be stupid but flat out ridiculous. She’s supposed to be intelligent enough to have survived in this war-torn world, but she makes some reckless decisions that I just found frustrating. Which led me to think, how has this girl survived.
My other problem was not so much with the MC but with the love square that is introduced. Aina is in love with her boss but she doesn’t realize is. He is abusive and toxic which is as old as time and I’d love to meet a female character who falls for the bad boy who doesn’t abuse her. Find me those characters please. On top of her boss, she also has feelings for a couple other characters. She’s young and still figuring herself out but in a book I want a better idea of who the love interest is. That can change but give me more than a tease of three different people.
In the end the premise interested me and although I enjoyed the idea of an assassination going wrong and the MC having to find new allies to survive, the story overall fell flat for me. I’m sure many will love the world that Francesca Flores build and Aina but sadly I may not be one of them.