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chimchimchurri's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
i liked it
its_kievan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
One of the most beautifully written fantasy novels I’ve read. Would probably have been 5 stars if I hadn’t picked it up during the most insane month of my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Chronic illness and Rape
Minor: Animal death
kathleenel's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
cjvphd's review against another edition
3.0
Started a bit slow, and it takes a minute for the feudal system and titles to sink in, but overall great prose and a solid story. Solid characterization with high stakes, although the villain could have been more developed.
trin's review against another edition
2.0
I’m still trying to work out why this book never grabbed me. It’s well-written and well-plotted, as Bujold always is; her books are consistently smart. Unlike the Vorkosigan saga, however, I couldn’t get caught up in the world she had created here. This may partly be due to the fact that I tend to be more of a fan of space opera/science fiction than I am of high fantasy/faux-medieval stuff, but am I wrong in thinking the Vorkosigan saga more humorous, and its characters more vivid? Caz had a suitably angsty backstory and seemed like a plausible dude, but I was never moved by his plight, like I was for Miles’, and as for his love interest, Bertriz…who was she again? Even after things finally got rolling—it takes about 200 pages—I never felt swept up. Will try the next book, [book: Paladin of Souls], as I already have it and, well, even eh-Bujold is a great deal better than most everything else out there; but I’m not feeling particularly rushed to do so.
arqune's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
ahalpine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.5
ravenslanding's review against another edition
5.0
I wrote a long review about how much I love this book, and how much I relate to 30 something year old Caz now that I am a thirty something, AND GOODREADS ATE IT.
I was profound and persuasive.
You will just have to believe me.
(Also, thanks to the many friends who told me to read this book).
I was profound and persuasive.
You will just have to believe me.
(Also, thanks to the many friends who told me to read this book).