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angelicalomax's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The second book made me so excited for this book, with the second book’s cliff hanger and amazing tension and character development. BUT this third book SLAPPED me back to reality about SJM’s writing- which is that it sucks & it’s evident in this book.
SJM knows how to write sexual tension and plot, BUT she does not know how to write any depth into characters, her humor IS HORRIBLE, and this book in particular has INTENSE pacing issues. To SJM: For example of how to write about battle, read A Song of Achilles.
Pacing issues: The cliff hanger from book 2 left so much possibility for manipulation and plot twists in the beginning of this third book, but Feyre did absolutely nothing. The whole first half of this book could have been deleted or AT LEAST shortened. For a 700 page book, the plot only picked up at the very end. And even the end felt like a rushed conclusion.
Lack of tension: I think part of the reason why this book felt so long and boring in the first half is because there was absolutely no tension. I understand that Feyre and Rhys being together means lessened sexual tension HOWEVER SJM could have written in tension if she developed the side characters. THERE WAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL WITH TAMLIN! ESP IN THE FIRST HALF!
Brings me to my next point — Lack of depth in characters: bruh. I do appreciate these new relationships - Nessa + Cassian, Varian + Amren, potential love triangle with Elain + Azriel + Lucien, and Morrigan + potential lesbian lover? I hope these are all things that are explored in the future. If they aren’t then wtf is SJM doing. Another pro about this book- I appreciate more POC characters being written in and FINALLY the introduction of queer characters (wow what an ally *sarcasm bc she doesn’t do anything w these characters and just has them exist in the background*). That being said, this book could have been strengthened so much more if SJM invested in these side characters instead of focusing so much on Rhys and Feyre.
Last point: the ending. SJM sold out to what the fans wanted instead of sticking to her integrity as a strong plot writer. I wish she ended the book in either one of two ways : a) rhys dying, Feyre finding out she’s pregnant during the grieving, and then rhys being resurrected by some ominous power in the next book. Or b) do a “5 years later” and show F + R with a baby, no hierarchy within the fairies, humans and fairies intermingling, and all the side characters happily coupled. Then the series ending there (for option b).
Anyways. Idk if I’ll read the next book. We shall see. Sorry but not sorry for the unhinged rant 😂
Graphic: War
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Confinement, and Death
orakuruno's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Violence, Death, War, Body horror, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Rape, Death of parent, and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Outing, and Confinement
heather_freshparchment'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, War, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Vomit, Rape, Grief, Lesbophobia, Gore, and Death of parent
kmthorson2'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
Graphic: Blood, Genocide, Death of parent, Body horror, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Torture, Classism, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and War
Minor: Rape, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Sexual violence, Stalking, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Grief, Mental illness, Sexism, and Sexual content
lifeofchrstnlvly'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
3.5
As expected, the poor writing and editing bothered me, especially the fragmented sentences.
Sample:
I had not dared to ask for more details about Cassian and Azriel — or my sisters. In terror of knowing how bad it had been — and what I'd do if their healing turned grim. What I'd bring down upon these people.
Healing. Alive and healing. I reminded myself of that every day.
Even when I still heard their screams, smelled their blood.
But I did not ask for more. Did not risk touching the bond beyond that first time.
How difficult is it to edit this book that it appeared as if the editors gave up? PSA for all the apologists for bad writing: claiming that the phrasing of the sentences is due to us reading Feyre's mind is simply a poor excuse for the poor writing. If you ever wonder why I still read this series even though I keep complaining about the writing, I can admit that I was foolish enough to buy all the books in the series before I read the first book because I succumbed to the hype. In my defense, I purchased the series when I regained my love for reading, also known as when I emerged from my 3-year reading slump, and I was too excited to buy anything that caught my interest. I am too frugal with money that I continue reading the series even if I dislike the writing, simply because I already bought all the books. Anyway.
I don't hate fantasy books being long. I actually like it when fantasy books are long because I know that it takes a lot to describe the world and give the backstories of the events and characters. BUT ACOWAR is too long, in my opinion. It could have been 200 pages shorter if Maas didn't repeat scenes over and over again.
I won't deny that I liked ACOWAR more than ACOTAR and ACOMAF.
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Blood, Death, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Death of parent, and Vomit
Minor: Confinement, Rape, and Grief
littletiramisu'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: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexism, Child abuse, Blood, Gore, Animal death, Rape, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Torture, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Vomit, War, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual assault
strange_abalone'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Abandonment, Confinement, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Lesbophobia, Torture, Vomit, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Body horror, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Bullying, Child death, Classism, Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and War
gpfot'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
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Sexual violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Hate crime, Kidnapping, and Murder
rivierareads'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
3.75
Moderate: Violence, Physical abuse, Death, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, War, Rape, and Blood
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
soph22'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Death, War, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Gore, Violence, and Vomit