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gremlinboi's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This review has minor spoilers, so read with caution.
I really enjoyed the world building and magical system in this book. I loved the concept of the country being split in two parts. However, I feel like this book could have been condensed by 100pgs or so. The majority of it was the main character fumbling through the politics and felt like filler which made the ending feel rushed and sloppily put together in my opinion. I did like the romance subplot though and it had me rooting for them in the end.
I really enjoyed the world building and magical system in this book. I loved the concept of the country being split in two parts. However, I feel like this book could have been condensed by 100pgs or so. The majority of it was the main character fumbling through the politics and felt like filler which made the ending feel rushed and sloppily put together in my opinion. I did like the romance subplot though and it had me rooting for them in the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, and Vomit
reign_kaur's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The only reason I think this book counts as YA is because the main character is sixteen years old. If she was a bit older, nineteen perhaps, then I would have rated this book 5 ⭐️
The representation in this book is perfect, people of different genders, cultures, religions and sexual orientation. Most importantly is that the LGBTQIA+ didn't distract from the plot, nor was it the focus. In this fantasy world it was just as normal as assasinating your siblings for the throne.
The representation in this book is perfect, people of different genders, cultures, religions and sexual orientation. Most importantly is that the LGBTQIA+ didn't distract from the plot, nor was it the focus. In this fantasy world it was just as normal as assasinating your siblings for the throne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Violence, Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Gaslighting
wet_towlette's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book has very strange pacing. It was super fast (in a bad way) in the beginning and then completely slowed down for the bulk of the book, and picked up near the end. I also don’t understand most of the characters motivations. Like the only person who makes sense in Aino. This book isn’t bad by any means and I did enjoy quite a bit of it. The plot was very interesting albeit the blurb was a bit misleading. I had fun with it, it’s just aggressively mediocre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, and Violence
yvonne_cl's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I listened to this as an audiobook and it was pretty good. The book’s representation of queer folks and gender diverse characters was very well done. Good slow burn sapphic romance. The political elements were interesting, though the end of the book felt overly complicated in its wrap up of the plot. Overall, this was a decent young adult fantasy but not amazing
Spice level: 🌶/5
Spice level: 🌶/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide, and Violence
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