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maryellen'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
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Confinement, Pregnancy, and Sexism
bubbly_lara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Pregnancy, Classism, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol
claudiashelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but my apologies; I chose this book because of the captivating cover art. And surprisingly, I relished spending time in this book’s fantasy world. I believe that this book’s world-building and magic system are its greatest assets. Everything in this book is fascinating and alluring. This perspective on magic and the tension it generated regarding spirits residing in unborn infants and causing them to be born into the world, which would result in death and destruction, were both appealing to me.
This is a well-written fantasy book that is overall entertaining to read. This book contains some extremely moving lines, but the plot focuses more on how the MC will be able to maintain their magic. Also, this book’s solid magic system and convincing fantasy setting remind me of June Austen’s Britain but with magic. Although the story of Beatrice and Ianthe made me sob, I don’t really like instant love, which makes me feel a little strange. Overall, it’s worth reading.
Graphic: Violence, Misogyny, Sexism, and Confinement
bookishcori's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexism
Minor: Miscarriage
robin_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I like the main idea of the story but it felt like the characters were dense and dramatic for the drama of it all and I don’t like that very much. Same with the withholding of information and miscommunication that could’ve been solved so very easily.
The author has a good way of telling the story and I enjoyed the story for the most part. I was invested into the outcome, even when I got annoyed with the characters. It was partly predictable and the epilogue is very all-around happiness and Happy End, which I don’t always care for.
All in all, it was a solid read about women’s rights to their own bodies and magic and overcoming societal expectations.
Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Confinement and Pregnancy
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Miscarriage
blewballoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Classism and Injury/Injury detail
graff_fuller'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
4.5
This is the way that I saw it as I was reading it. It may not be totally representative, but I think it is close.
As a father of two grown daughters...this book made me SO frustrated as I was reading it (not in the way it was written, but because of the actions of some of the supportive characters and the world that Beatrice was living in). If it had been a physical book...it might have been flung across the room. Ugh. The Obtuseness of Beatrice's father, Henrietta, one of the men that could be seen as the main antagonists for the sequence, etc.
As you can see, I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt fatherly affection for the main protagonist, Beatrice and her two main counterparts (un-named here, so as not to spoil any of the great scenes that provided their friendships).
Also, the minor spirit Nadi was such a breathe of fresh air, though at times, as Beatrice also felt, she needed to be reigned in...for her natural desire was to devour every new experience, whether that was cake, alcohol, or experience (without tact, most of the time). She (at least it seemed to have a femine voice, though I'm not totally sure that was said) seemed unbridled by convention of the times.
The wordbuilding was done gradually, but with a deft hand. I was invested in Beatrice's plight. I could see my own daughters in her role...and how I, at this moment in time (and when we were raising them) that we didn't not hold them back, but exhorted them to be WHATEVER they desired, be damned the world and its restrictions.
One of the devices that quells the ability of female magic made me furious. Since I am a HUGE fan of The Wheel of Time...the Seanchan have a "similar" device...and my rage against the idea of this, let alone the implimentation of it...made my blood boil.
And lastly, I want to say that the speech and the way it was done was genius. Also, the response of the collected male Mages was perfect. Ironic in a way.
So well written...and with its ability to "get to me", it was perfectly written for me.
In some ways, I wish there was a sequel, but maybe if there was a sequel...it might diminish the awesomeness of how it ended.
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, and Slavery
lovealwaysadi's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
Moderate: Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Bullying, Child death, and Classism
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Moderate: Classism, Violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Sexism, and Slavery
schnaucl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
What didn't work for me was the romance, though full disclosure, love at first sight (or in this case, kiss) almost never does. Ianthe didn't seem to have much depth and I would have like to spend more time with Ysbeta and her passion for recovering lost magic. There's a single reference to a person not having an interest in men or women so I guess non straight people exist but there's no discussion of what that means. Presumably they're supposed to get involved in a heterosexual marriage and produce kids regardless. I'm also not big on kids generally so a society where women are always treated at pre-pregnant gives me hives. That said, there's surprisingly no discussion of contraception or abortificants. If the whole reason for the collar is the that a spirit might take over a fetus you'd think female presenting bodies would have a collar put on after the first period to be completely safe. That would negate the symbolism of it happening in connection with marriage, but still.
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, and Sexism