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kaylamoran'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
Malik has my heart and I'd die for him.
I'll definitely be checking out anything else Roseanne A. Brown writes. Everything about this felt so unique, and even the tropes didn't feel tropey. It was genuinely unpredictable, which for someone who reads as much YA fantasy as i do, can be very difficult to achieve.
Did I mention I love Malik? I love Malik.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Gaslighting, Self harm, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and War
Minor: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Bullying, Confinement, and Fire/Fire injury
internationalreads'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
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, War, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Animal death, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Racial slurs
monicalaurette'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
“It’s not every day you get to embark on a new character arc.”
"Every time she’d look for a savior and hadn’t found one, she’d become her own.”
“This was still his mind. He was still the strongest person here.”
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Murder, and Slavery
Minor: Gaslighting
antonique_reads'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
Graphic: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, War, Death, Gaslighting, Violence, Murder, and Emotional abuse
queenie_ofthe_void'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
3.5
Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Gore, Incest, Kidnapping, Rape, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Violence
Personally just hated thr ending. Left feeling unfulfilled. After two whole books and all this built up soul-mates and destiny, they only end up together *hypothetically* in the monologue. Why. WHY?! That is some bullshit. And fade to black... AFTER ALL OF THIS. no. Everything else was amazing. Malik and Karina are amazing.jessica_is_reading's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Torture, Racism, Murder, and Grief
claragweny'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: Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Racism, War, Violence, Trafficking, Transphobia, Terminal illness, and Stalking
rorikae'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? Yes
4.25
The story picks up with Malik and Karina not long after the end of the first book, which I won't touch on too much in case of spoilers. What I can say is that this second installment in the duology is a great conclusion that not only ties up the pieces left open in the first installment but also builds upon the characters and world that we got to know in book 1. I think the strength of the series really hinges upon the characters themselves. The dual perspectives of Malik and Karina, allow the reader insight into different aspects of the story, both when they are together as well as when they are miles apart. In this installment, Brown pulls together story pieces that have been woven together in the first installment and expands upon them to bring the ultimate plot to a satisfying conclusion.
One of my favorite aspects of the story are the relationships. In this book, we get much more insight into Karina's relationship with her sister and we come to better understand their childhood. This was a great compliment to the relationship between Malik and Karina.
This series is another great example of the excellent duologies that have been coming out recently. The story fits well within the two books without a dragging middle installment. I am definitely looking forward to what Brown writes next.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Karina and Malik's relationship is complicated, with lies and misunderstandings from A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN meddling in what ought to be a simple case of one hunting the other to try and stop the fall of the kingdom. Farid is a well-written manipulator, wrapped up in his own plans and unable to see the difference between someone agreeing with him and one who's just placating him to avert his anger and disappointment from falling on them. His frustrations make sense with his character and circumstances, his increasingly complicated plans hum along in the background of everything Malik and Karina try to accomplish.
This wraps up more than one major thing left hanging from the first book. The main storyline starts here and was only lightly present previously. There are several major things that are both introduced and resolved, and as part two of a duology it’s an immensely satisfying ending. The main characters are the same and they’re consistent with their portrayals in the first book. This might make sense if someone tried to start here and hadn’t read the previous book, it does a good job of referencing prior events without devolving into a full recap. It was definitely enough to pull me fully into the story even though it’s been a while since I read A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN and my recall was initially fuzzy. I'd basically forgotten what happened before and it gently reminded me at gradual intervals as various previous events became relevant. The current stakes and past drama are clearly communicated, and the emotional context is vibrant.
The ending is excellent. There's still a lot of work to do and a lot of life for the survivors to live, and it's okay that this story stops here since it had to stop somewhere. I love the framing device, it satisfied my need to know what happens next.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Torture, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Gore, Body horror, Medical content, Medical trauma, Slavery, and Child death
Minor: Domestic abuse, Incest, and Vomit
CW for grooming.vaniavela'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
4.75
A Psalm of Storms and Silence
is the sequel to the book "A Song of Wraiths & Ruin" written by Roseanne A. Brown.
I was quite excited about the publication of this book and today after a long time I was able to read it and have come to tell my experience.
Let's start with the cover. It is simply beautiful. The colors, the typography, everything is divine.
This is not a gentle book, there are several topics that may be heavy for some and I appreciate that they have included a page with possible trigger warnings. Throughout the book, there was a deeper dive into the characters' traumas, abuses and mental illnesses. I thought the way it was written, at least in the part about anxiety and how it affects day to day life, was appropriate and respectful.
New characters were introduced and made the book more enjoyable. No names will be mentioned, to avoid spoilers, but I loved the way they were introduced into the plot and their sarcastic and funny contribution to the story.
As for the relationship between our main characters, honestly the tension could be felt through the words. Likewise there was a certain character, whose name I won't mention because he doesn't deserve the honor, had me completely annoyed and furious. How could anyone be so hateful?
The ending left a lot to be desired for me. What was that ending Roseanne? My heart was left half beating and I didn't know whether to cry or laugh for believing there would be another one.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, and although I would have liked another ending, I loved having the opportunity to read it. 4.75⭐️
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Grief
Minor: Sexual content