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copascribe's review against another edition
2.0
Eh. Nothing new here. Similar to The Poppy War, but much blander.
melmmh's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of the book was fantastic - I would have given it five plus stars... after Elban dies I fully expected the story/world/character building to really take off... and it too just seemed to die.
IMO there is SO much to flesh out here.
I really have no idea what “The Work” is. What actually happened thousands of years ago to destroy/hide magic. I don’t really know what/who the Slonimi are.
The violence was a bit gratuitous, but it definitely didn’t bother me.
There were SO many directions this book could have gone. And SO much room for world building. Instead, it just felt really flat.
And the ending. I love an ambiguous ending, but this was just unfinished. There’s a huge magical, world tending, life altering act in play - and then Judah just jumps off the tower and that’s it??
If there’s a sequel, I will definitely buy and read it. I really, really hope Kelly Braffet takes the time to flesh out the characters and background because this just left me feeling wanting for way more information.
Ultimately, it’s a two star read for me, but I gave it three for the great start and potential.
IMO there is SO much to flesh out here.
I really have no idea what “The Work” is. What actually happened thousands of years ago to destroy/hide magic. I don’t really know what/who the Slonimi are.
The violence was a bit gratuitous, but it definitely didn’t bother me.
There were SO many directions this book could have gone. And SO much room for world building. Instead, it just felt really flat.
And the ending. I love an ambiguous ending, but this was just unfinished. There’s a huge magical, world tending, life altering act in play - and then Judah just jumps off the tower and that’s it??
If there’s a sequel, I will definitely buy and read it. I really, really hope Kelly Braffet takes the time to flesh out the characters and background because this just left me feeling wanting for way more information.
Ultimately, it’s a two star read for me, but I gave it three for the great start and potential.
raeswainpage's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm need to sit on this for a bit. I liked the first half, but not the biggest fan of the ending.
opheliafrey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, Body horror, Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, Violence, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Suicide, and Vomit
deetour8's review against another edition
2.0
I was really enjoying this book until I realized it was almost over and there was no way that all of the different story lines could end satisfactorily. The end... is not an end. It was nothing but disappointment as a reader. I'm giving this zero stars in hopes that other's won't waste so much time reading something that can never be finished.
karebear1092's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book was slow but well written. It had a depressing feeling throughout. There is lots of talk of cutting and blood. The magic system is not talked about too much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Self harm, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Abortion
lakeside_knitter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
tazzbird's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bookgirlangie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I struggled to get into this book and dnf it years ago when it first came out. I tried again and this time stuck with it and while a very intriguing story, it was a little too slow and lacking action for me.