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embark19's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Rape
Moderate: Death and Torture
court_reads_it_all's review
The first red flag in the book is the constant description of Amaris' white skin as pure and beautiful, while Nox, the only POC character, is the only one to be whipped. Additionally, Amaris romanticizes life as a farmer or noble man's wife, while Nox tries to protect her friend during a traumatic event. The writing style attempts to mimic Tolkien or C.S. Lewis but falls short, resulting in the book dragging on with chapters dedicated to mundane tasks. Overall, the book is disappointing and only receives one star despite being a gift and on my to-be-read list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Trafficking, Violence, Death, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Body shaming, Racism, Abandonment, Bullying, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Classism, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
charlottx's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
For the most part I enjoyed this book. Some parts were drawn out a little in my opinion while other vital elements were very hasty/rushed. I wish there had been more overall structure and cohesion. However, all in all I liked the story and I have already bought the next book! Here’s to hoping I enjoy the next one even more :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Self harm, Murder, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Grief
theemeraldflame's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Horrific portrayal of sex work/sex workers. Massive sexism and contradictory worldbuilding (characters are in a world that is female dominated/ruled, where even god herself is female… yet sexism is RAMPANT and major religious and sexual trauma happens to both female characters at the hands of men in positions of authority). Odd, sweeping tone changes throughout. Writing is self-indulgent, metaphor-filled, and at times difficult to parse. Would not recommend to anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Child abuse
b_robinson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
1.75
let's just ignore the fact that this took me a whole month to read, and that I'm currently using my last remaining brain cells to write this review
The ARC that I read had so many grammatical mistakes man, it was so frustrating, but hopefully there's been a rigorous revision of this.
I did not enjoy the romance; it's nice that the author wrote a bisexual romance that she could connect to, but I couldn't vibe with the way it was written. We get this long innocent childhood backstory explanation thing, and then they're oh so cruelly torn apart, and when we next see them, the dramatic evolution in the way they thought about each other felt..... idk wrong?? uncomfy?? it was just not it. They first meet when one of them is an ACTUAL INFANT.
also, it honestly felt like there was more chemistry between Amaris and crow demon whatever-the-heck his name was (gadriel?? I think?????) than her and Nox. clearly something is wrong when the MCs are supposed to be so devoted to each other and i want to ship one of them with someone else entirely. but maybe that's just a me thing
LETS TALK ABOUT HOW WEIRD IT FELT TO CONSTANTLY HAVE AMARIS CALLING THE OTHER REEVERS HER BROTHERS AND THEN FLIRTING WITH AND TRYING TO SEDUCE ONE OF THEM. HELLO? WHAT IS UP WITH THAT. PLEASE TELL ME IM NOT THE ONLY ONE BECAUSE I CRINGED AT ALL OF IT.
i would also like to point out that i did not consent to reading about Nox's really sick, awful punishment for the Captain, even though he himself was an absolutely despicable human being. that was gross and unnecessary. sort yourself out.
so yeah. not a 10 out of 10 vibe here, but bonus points for not making me use any brainpower while reading
The ARC that I read had so many grammatical mistakes man, it was so frustrating, but hopefully there's been a rigorous revision of this.
I did not enjoy the romance; it's nice that the author wrote a bisexual romance that she could connect to, but I couldn't vibe with the way it was written. We get this long innocent childhood backstory explanation thing, and then they're oh so cruelly torn apart, and when we next see them, the dramatic evolution in the way they thought about each other felt..... idk wrong?? uncomfy?? it was just not it. They first meet when one of them is an ACTUAL INFANT.
also, it honestly felt like there was more chemistry between Amaris and crow demon whatever-the-heck his name was (gadriel?? I think?????) than her and Nox. clearly something is wrong when the MCs are supposed to be so devoted to each other and i want to ship one of them with someone else entirely. but maybe that's just a me thing
LETS TALK ABOUT HOW WEIRD IT FELT TO CONSTANTLY HAVE AMARIS CALLING THE OTHER REEVERS HER BROTHERS AND THEN FLIRTING WITH AND TRYING TO SEDUCE ONE OF THEM. HELLO? WHAT IS UP WITH THAT. PLEASE TELL ME IM NOT THE ONLY ONE BECAUSE I CRINGED AT ALL OF IT.
i would also like to point out that i did not consent to reading about Nox's really sick, awful punishment for the Captain, even though he himself was an absolutely despicable human being. that was gross and unnecessary. sort yourself out.
so yeah. not a 10 out of 10 vibe here, but bonus points for not making me use any brainpower while reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Blood, Self harm, Grief, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
ashtreerandall's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
aquariusvintage's review
TW: BULLYING, SCHOOL VI0LENCE
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This book and entire series was DNF due to the author's and editor's horrific actions. As other reviewers have stated, this author and editor bullied and harassed readers/reviewers on Goodreads because of their honest feedback on the book. The author and editor took the reviews very personally and were vindictive with the criticism that they received. Author described the incident as a "human moment," which is complete bullshit. Equating someone to a sch00l sh00ter and a ped0phile and saying they have no literary taste is appalling. The reviewer originally gave the book 3 stars and said they enjoyed it! Cj Piper's reaction to criticism and her values are the specific reasons why I will not be supporting this author's work in any way.
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EDIT: TW: Racial trauma, sexual trauma, white saviorism
Upon further reflection, the premise of this series is also very problematic by centering a WOC's trauma and the white saviorism that is reflected throughout the writing.
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This book and entire series was DNF due to the author's and editor's horrific actions. As other reviewers have stated, this author and editor bullied and harassed readers/reviewers on Goodreads because of their honest feedback on the book. The author and editor took the reviews very personally and were vindictive with the criticism that they received. Author described the incident as a "human moment," which is complete bullshit. Equating someone to a sch00l sh00ter and a ped0phile and saying they have no literary taste is appalling. The reviewer originally gave the book 3 stars and said they enjoyed it! Cj Piper's reaction to criticism and her values are the specific reasons why I will not be supporting this author's work in any way.
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EDIT: TW: Racial trauma, sexual trauma, white saviorism
Upon further reflection, the premise of this series is also very problematic by centering a WOC's trauma and the white saviorism that is reflected throughout the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Violence
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