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jnishi's review
5.0
I've never read a book written from the 2nd person POV before and felt a little trepidation going in but, come on Chee is a master storyteller. She had me feeling for those characters so much! Like usually I was bawling on the couch by the end in tears, my heart gutted about what those kids had to go through. It got so bad my family asked if I was okay. But this book was great! I mean it ripped my heart out but it was sooo good. I have never read a YA novel that so clearly demonstrates and shows the heartbreaking reality of PTSD in soldiers in a time of peace after such a long war. It broke my heart. Like she has done before Chee masterfully fully develops the 7 characters and plot and world. I would've maybe loved some more world building but, honestly, in such a character driven narrative, it didn't really seem to matter as much as it would be in other novels. Once again Traci Chee has knocked it out of the park. I will forever read whatever she writes.
ellozx's review against another edition
4.5
i think as far as the plot and stories go, this is really good and i think as tragic as the ending was, the authors decision to kill off so many main characters was acc really powerful and well done. i also liked the whole battle thing and idea.
only thing that bothered me (and probably the reason why it took me so long to get through this book) is that a lot of the characters aren’t that likable? like yes they were well developed but k feel like something stopped me from actually rooting for them or forming a deep connection with any one of them (prob because there’s too many and they’re all fighting for attention, omg ensemble cast) and also idk if the second person writing did the book any good, found it confusing at times. (like six of crows was able to pull off ensemble casts so well, i wonder what the difference is— maybe that they didn’t all know each other before?)
only thing that bothered me (and probably the reason why it took me so long to get through this book) is that a lot of the characters aren’t that likable? like yes they were well developed but k feel like something stopped me from actually rooting for them or forming a deep connection with any one of them (prob because there’s too many and they’re all fighting for attention, omg ensemble cast) and also idk if the second person writing did the book any good, found it confusing at times. (like six of crows was able to pull off ensemble casts so well, i wonder what the difference is— maybe that they didn’t all know each other before?)
lisbethwhite's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
2.5
Multiple 2nd person perspectives were difficult to follow in audio.
mothling's review against another edition
I'm a little sad to drop this one, I've really enjoyed some of Chee's previous work (hence why i tried this one), but honestly I just... don't find myself caring about this one at all.
In one of her previous books "We Are Not Free" (so good, highly recommend) Chee perfectly pulls off tons of POV characters? but here I find all the characters muddled and confusing right of the bat and not looking like they'll get any clearer.
The choice of the 2nd person "you" is certainly a choice... I tend to like experimental tenses, however here it's just annoying.
Also, while the concept of the kindlings seems cool and all, so far it's been completely unexplained and underutilized in the book and I'm not going to stick around just to find out what magic might be brewing half a book later. They're supposedly super warriors ? That element is barely shown at all in the beginning so whoops there goes your one big hook.
Reality is I'm much more excited for the next audiobook I have lined up, alas...
In one of her previous books "We Are Not Free" (so good, highly recommend) Chee perfectly pulls off tons of POV characters? but here I find all the characters muddled and confusing right of the bat and not looking like they'll get any clearer.
The choice of the 2nd person "you" is certainly a choice... I tend to like experimental tenses, however here it's just annoying.
Also, while the concept of the kindlings seems cool and all, so far it's been completely unexplained and underutilized in the book and I'm not going to stick around just to find out what magic might be brewing half a book later. They're supposedly super warriors ? That element is barely shown at all in the beginning so whoops there goes your one big hook.
Reality is I'm much more excited for the next audiobook I have lined up, alas...
kaedau's review against another edition
Did not connect to story or plot, and 2nd person POV was difficult to read in a story with 7 different perspectives. Took me over a month to reach 37%. Ket was the only character I was liking and the last chapter I read of hers instantly made me not want to continue the story 😶
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Blood, Violence, War, Death, and Child death
roseleebooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
This book was incredible. I knew it was going to be intense due to the blurb, but I underestimated how attached to the characters I would become.
The story is told in 2nd person POV and rotates between focusing on each of 7 retired Kindlings as they band together to save a town from marauders.
The story delves into their struggles and emotions as they try to live with the aftermath of what the war forced them into.
I was unable to stop listening to this. The audiobook uses multiple narrators and it was so well done. The story and characters had a hold on me the entire way through. Highly recommend!
The story is told in 2nd person POV and rotates between focusing on each of 7 retired Kindlings as they band together to save a town from marauders.
The story delves into their struggles and emotions as they try to live with the aftermath of what the war forced them into.
I was unable to stop listening to this. The audiobook uses multiple narrators and it was so well done. The story and characters had a hold on me the entire way through. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Child death, War, Violence, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders