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blacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, Violence, Grief, Genocide, and Death
Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Kidnapping
melia24'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: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Blood and Confinement
Minor: Sexual assault and Panic attacks/disorders
pandorica_'s review
- 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
4.75
Sylvia is a troubled soul lost to the past. She has a secret that could kill her and the power to stop anyone who tries. She has been in hiding for many years and closed off from any companionship for just as long. On the day of a festival, everything in her life changes forever.
Arin is the Heir to the Nizahl Kingdom and Commander of their army. During one of his missions, he discovers a small village in the outskirts of a bordering kingdom. While approaching, he finds someone performing rites to a fallen Jasadi. Here he starts to form a plan. Arin then decides to use Sylvia as bait in his current mission.
The plot was magnificent. The writing was captivating. I’m honestly shocked this was the authors debut book. When I know the book is going to be a series, I usually postpone completely finishing the book until the next book is available, but with this book it was impossible! I cannot wait for the second book to come out! While some of the more popular books end with a massive cliffhanger that could drive anyone insane, this book ended on a very nice note.(not like yay, I would be happy if that were the end of the series but more like everything came together in the end.)
I could not recommend this book enough. I’m going to make all my book reading co workers and all my book reading customers read this book.
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Colonisation, Classism, War, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Genocide, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, and Sexual assault
marissareuther's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Racism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Physical abuse
martine3'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
Graphic: Death, War, Child abuse, Blood, Violence, Torture, and Slavery
Moderate: Racism and Vomit
Finally something worth reading and engaging for me and real enemies to lovers (I hope). The only minor complaint is that the tournament is so often used in fantasy (and very similar to a mix between the Hunger Games and the Goblet of Fire) that it felt repetitive even though it was actually engaging. But I hope there won't be a focus on politics and specifically on other kingdoms later on because I am interested mainly in the main characters. I also hope for once that surprise pregnancy or a babylogue won't be employed (I don't dare dream for a heroine who is childfree or doesn't mention and occupy herself with children but I am fed up with Maas' natalist propaganda).dragoninwinterfell'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
4.0
The protagonist, Sylvia, is a morally grey heroine with a tragic past filled with loss and abuse. Having lost her family and status as a princess during a war, she lives as a commoner, hiding her identity as well as her restrained magic. I really loved the complexity of Sylvia's character and following her through each difficult choice and harsh revelation from her past. She felt very real.
While I'm not usually a fan of enemies to lovers romances, the dynamic between Sylvia and Arin is the best example I've seen of the trope. They are natural enemies as he is the son of the man who overthrew her family and the way their relationship progresses is authentic.
I'm really looking forward to the next installment of this series.
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Police brutality, Violence, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and War