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crimsoncor's review against another edition
5.0
So I loved this book. Found Isoka to be a great main character. yeah, she's super broken at the start of the book. Considering her life up until that point, it checks out. But she's also loyal and honorable, and capable of growth when put into a different environment. Her character arc is really well done. Also just generally love Isoka/Meroe. . I found the rot/rut replacement for shit/fuck to be a bit immersion breaking, but I also get it. This is an American YA novel; the country where to get a PG-13 rating you can brutally kill as many people as you want, but can only say fuck one.
As with his other series, the world-building always feels immersive and well-defined. Societies have different defaults but aren't monolithic. The political organizations make sense.
Spoiler
A lot of complaints in reviews about the characters and queerness. I guess my take is that Isoka has never been exposed to open queer relationships. Her shock at seeing queer PDA doesn't read as disgust but shock to me. She's also never had a close relationship in her life, except with her sister (which is a super fucked relationship, something that Tori acknowledges a lot in the second book). And her entire society is, on the surface, super heteronormative. Completely natural that she would never considered a female romantic partner until her life is completely up-ended and all her norms rendered irrelevant. Also, how could you not love Meroe? As someone married to an insanely competent woman, that shit is super sexyAs with his other series, the world-building always feels immersive and well-defined. Societies have different defaults but aren't monolithic. The political organizations make sense.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
I really enjoyed this book. The plot made me want to just turn every page and the action scenes were great. Not to mention the characters felt really well done and I can’t wait to read the next part of the story.
I really enjoyed this book. The plot made me want to just turn every page and the action scenes were great. Not to mention the characters felt really well done and I can’t wait to read the next part of the story.
insimniac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
cupiscent's review
I'm not vibing with it. Which I'm sad about, because Wexler writes fantastic characters, and solid action, and has done really well here in blending quick-pace YA fantasy with exploration of an intricate and fascinating world. But things are tending a little too superpowers for me (something that Wexler clearly loves, given his other works, but that leaves me pretty cold) and I'm not digging the ghostship setting (I was far more into the opening urban setting). So this isn't at all bad, it's just not for me right now.
mattleestew's review against another edition
3.0
I'll start by saying that I really enjoyed this book. You might be asking why only 3 stars then?
I had to take away a star for the incredibly bad/out of place romance. I found myself rolling my eyes multiple times because it just didn't feel like it fit where it was added and how it was put into the story. Not all people might feel the same way about the romance in this book as I do, but looking at some of the other reviews, it seems that at least I'm not the only one who thought this. It would have been a 4 star review easily otherwise.
Even with this one thing that rather bugged me through the story (I tried to ignore them for the most part because I personally think the story is better without them), I still think it's worthwhile to read and will be reading the other books in the series when they come out.
I had to take away a star for the incredibly bad/out of place romance. I found myself rolling my eyes multiple times because it just didn't feel like it fit where it was added and how it was put into the story. Not all people might feel the same way about the romance in this book as I do, but looking at some of the other reviews, it seems that at least I'm not the only one who thought this. It would have been a 4 star review easily otherwise.
Even with this one thing that rather bugged me through the story (I tried to ignore them for the most part because I personally think the story is better without them), I still think it's worthwhile to read and will be reading the other books in the series when they come out.
jasonabbott's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This book was insane. I'm still processing everything about it, and I have to say... WOW. I was a huge fan of Django Wexler's SHADOW CAMPAIGN novels, so I was looking forward to action, adventure, and great characters, all of whom are diverse and many of whom are part of the LGBT community, including the bisexual main character! I got all of those things... I just didn't expect them to be so brutal.
Make no mistake: this is not for the faint of heart. There is violence and gore abound, and while there's no explicit sex scenes, you better believe they are heavily implied. And this is all before we get to a whole host of betrayals, secret agendas, twists, and battles.
All of these and more are done by the main character, Isoka. Oh man... talk about a force to be reckoned with. I can't exactly say she's "good." With one or two exceptions, there are no good guys in this story (another big shocker for me!). But she is definitely memorable in her tenacity, determination, grit, and ruthless battle skills. I found the side characters and villain to be fun and exciting, but the main standouts next to Isoka were of course Meroe, who I just want to bundle up and protect forever, and Zarun, who was born to cause trouble. They are an eclectic cast of misfits in an unfair and harsh world.
Speaking of the world... I have no words. Not only is the primary setting unique and adds to the adventure, but the magic system is wholly unique to the fantasy genre. It adds to an awesome twist near the end, and I honestly cannot wait to find out more about it.
I want this book to succeed. It's so much fun, exciting, and unique. It deserves to be experienced and enjoyed by all fans of dark fantasy, strong, LGBT characters, and high seas adventure. If you love the NEVERNIGHT CHRONICLES, this is the book for you. Heck, even if you don't, you need to pick this one up anyway! Seriously, do not skip this adventure!
Make no mistake: this is not for the faint of heart. There is violence and gore abound, and while there's no explicit sex scenes, you better believe they are heavily implied. And this is all before we get to a whole host of betrayals, secret agendas, twists, and battles.
All of these and more are done by the main character, Isoka. Oh man... talk about a force to be reckoned with. I can't exactly say she's "good." With one or two exceptions, there are no good guys in this story (another big shocker for me!). But she is definitely memorable in her tenacity, determination, grit, and ruthless battle skills. I found the side characters and villain to be fun and exciting, but the main standouts next to Isoka were of course Meroe, who I just want to bundle up and protect forever, and Zarun, who was born to cause trouble. They are an eclectic cast of misfits in an unfair and harsh world.
Speaking of the world... I have no words. Not only is the primary setting unique and adds to the adventure, but the magic system is wholly unique to the fantasy genre. It adds to an awesome twist near the end, and I honestly cannot wait to find out more about it.
I want this book to succeed. It's so much fun, exciting, and unique. It deserves to be experienced and enjoyed by all fans of dark fantasy, strong, LGBT characters, and high seas adventure. If you love the NEVERNIGHT CHRONICLES, this is the book for you. Heck, even if you don't, you need to pick this one up anyway! Seriously, do not skip this adventure!
read_with_blondie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
cyfox's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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