Scan barcode
mandersdraws's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Simply put, I love this shit!! I read it twice, once with an audiobook and then again with an ebook. It got me theorizing and highlighting the text like I’m trying to solve a cryptogram. I don’t even mind the love triangle (though I do hope it manages to subvert some of the cliches and tropes we expect with love triangles)
Edit: I’ve also read the sequel, Hemlock Queen, and I can’t wait for more!
Graphic: Body horror, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Blood, Cursing, and Gore
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child death, Confinement, Drug use, Murder, Drug abuse, and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Terminal illness, War, and Body shaming
Manipulation is a big theme of this book.teaand_tomes's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Animal death
Minor: Sexual content, Cursing, and Blood
puddleshoes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Death, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
cdoubet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Death, Torture, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Murder, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Classism, Violence, Confinement, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Genocide, Cursing, Grief, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
bex_readz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The plot of this book felt promising. The magic and world building did feel a bit different than other books I have read and I enjoyed that. What I was not expecting was having characters that felt flat and had no chemistry, bumbling through the plot line. Many of the plot twists were VERY easy to spot, and yet the characters were clueless throughout. No chemistry AND dumb. The best part of the book was like the last couple of chapters, because at least then some of the characters had the possibility of being interesting.
I just don't know. I feel like this book had potential but the execution was done poorly.
Plot- 3/5🔆
Spice- 0/5🌶️
Romance-0/5💗
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Vomit, Murder, Drug abuse, and Gore
clairew97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Vomit, Murder, Gore, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Child death, Grief, Addiction, Blood, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, War, Religious bigotry, Classism, and Death of parent
dkgreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Violence
Minor: War
mattiedancer'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
- Fans of darker, but not dark, fantasy books
- Fans of love triangles
- Those looking for an interesting high fantasy read with a heavy focus on gods
- Fans of fantasy romances where the love interests are forced together
- Fans of an intriguing fantasy world
- Drug abuse, murder, child death, death, death of parent, torture, blood, confinement,
Graphic: Body horror, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Murder, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Violence, and War
warlocksarecool21'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? Yes
4.25
I thought Lore was a really interesting main character and I never got irritated by her narration. The overall world and magic system was so unique to me, even though it drew parallels to various mythologies. It was very much a slow-burn book in terms of plot, but it paid off, as we got to see Lore learn more about the court and her magic all while uncovering the mystery at hand.
I was weary about the love triangle being set up between Lore, Gabe and Bastian but both of the boys were so compelling and the tension was so good. Gabe’s character honestly broke my heart, even though he made poor decisions trying to help Lore. The angst that comes with his character was so well-written and I’m excited to see where his journey goes. Bastian was a delight and I loved how complex he was. I was a little surprised by how unhinged he was at the end; but I suppose the pieces to that reveal were built up as the story went along. I honestly was kind of gleeful when
Overall, I thought this was a very good start to the series, and I hope we see even more of the gods and the magic system in the next book. I am anxious to see the direction of where the dynamic between Lore and the boys will go, and I am honestly not sure how I hope it will turn out. I’m excited to see where all of this leads in the next book, and I can’t wait for it.
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Gore
Minor: Body horror and Animal death
jasminn_perez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Classism, Drug use, Animal death, Death, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Addiction, Gore, and Sexual content