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mallorypen's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
The world building was phenomenal. I understood the power structure, the politics, and the knife’s edge on which peace existed within the first few chapters without it feeling like I was being info-dumped upon. The queernormative society was well done without being heavy-handed, and I believed all the motivations of the people and governments in the plot.
The characters are SO clutch. Ettian as a tortured product of war, poverty, homelessness and conquest was compelling, especially as his loyalties and his heart are being chipped away the entire novel. I wanted to give him a hug approximately 456 times. Gal - boisterous, naive, tender hearted Gal - was a great counterpart and match for Ettian. Their friendship was immediately believable, as was the strength of Ettian’s feelings despite everything he’s been through. And Wen as the hardened, ride-or-die misfit was the perfect foil for Ettian and a window into his life.
The only reason I took off half a star is ALSO one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much, and that is because of the humanity of the characters. On the one hand, I got a little fed up with Ettian’s loyalties constantly flip-flopping around - one second he was promising he’s always have Gal’s back, and the next he’s dreaming of revolution - but I have to admit that his being so torn is such a human reaction to an impossible situation. And Gal going from being incredibly likable to borderline hard to deal with was hard as an empathetic reader, but also … that’s EXACTLY what Ettian was going through. So yay, writing characters with nuance and skill to make them feel real but ALSO boo, real-feeling people making dumb/selfish/cowardly choices.
But hey, cuddling in space.
Onto Book 2!
Moderate: War, Violence, Death of parent, Vomit, and Death
axel_p's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, War, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Violence, Xenophobia, and Toxic relationship
breadwitchery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: War, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol and Blood
kew16's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
bluejayreads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, War, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Torture, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
Minor: Sexual content and Kidnapping
xoodlebooks's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, War, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol and Injury/Injury detail
spookieboogie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
onemamareads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Death
alouette's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
And the main pairing actually communicated with each other! Though I did have some other problems with their character motivations (
Moderate: Death and Violence