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jasminedaria's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
5.0
Definitely a 5-star read, and I am so excited we decided on this book for our book club. Characters were relatable and experienced development, though everyone may not have been likable. There were no loose threads in this story - every plotline had a resolution. The actual formatting of the chapters was so accessible and easy to read. Would highly recommend for readers who like YA/Sci-Fi, but also readers who enjoy reading about complicated family dynamics and social issues, power vs nature vs magic vs fate, friends to lovers storylines, diverse characters, and stories set in fictional versions of real places.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Police brutality, Hate crime, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
quiteawful's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really loved the characters. The magic system was really solid, and quite different to many of the other series I’ve read.
I am certain I’m only thinking this due to recent escalation of events, but it felt like a somewhat naive but hopeful take on the current genocide happening to the Palestinian people. Oppressors oppressing (with violence, threats, extremely one sided laws that severely impact on the oppressed’s movements freedoms and lives). We follow the lives of complicated and imperfect people who are subjected to these rules and regulations, and how they try to work within the system to make changes (mirrored back through recollections and discoveries of their parents ultimately unsuccessful actions). Perhaps naive isn’t the word - innocent/optimistic/gentle. Might not exactly be the target audience! Overall I found there to be a wonderful depth to the well woven plot - a very politically intrigue that provides a steady hand to the characters (without simply shoving them to the next plot point).
I think the author also rushed past some parts to the writing’s detriment, in places. I kept needing to re-read sections, unclear how or what had been gently indicated. (Perhaps it was my comprehension skills? Lmao. Real possibility). Baptiste can only improve and I can’t wait to see where she takes us.
I am certain I’m only thinking this due to recent escalation of events, but it felt like a somewhat naive but hopeful take on the current genocide happening to the Palestinian people. Oppressors oppressing (with violence, threats, extremely one sided laws that severely impact on the oppressed’s movements freedoms and lives). We follow the lives of complicated and imperfect people who are subjected to these rules and regulations, and how they try to work within the system to make changes (mirrored back through recollections and discoveries of their parents ultimately unsuccessful actions). Perhaps naive isn’t the word - innocent/optimistic/gentle. Might not exactly be the target audience! Overall I found there to be a wonderful depth to the well woven plot - a very politically intrigue that provides a steady hand to the characters (without simply shoving them to the next plot point).
I think the author also rushed past some parts to the writing’s detriment, in places. I kept needing to re-read sections, unclear how or what had been gently indicated. (Perhaps it was my comprehension skills? Lmao. Real possibility). Baptiste can only improve and I can’t wait to see where she takes us.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Blood, Medical trauma, Police brutality, Violence, Classism, Colonisation, Genocide, Hate crime, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
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