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hayleyvem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Violence, Blood, Deportation, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Police brutality, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Child abuse
Minor: Abandonment
clarabooksit'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
2.75
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Police brutality, War, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual violence
allisonwonderlandreads'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? No
3.0
Although I was a bit overwhelmed at first, I was firmly settled into the world by the end of the book. It has a historical vibe with technology like airships, radios, and cars. The book largely avoids info dumps. Each chapter kicks off with an adage from the world's legends, and Jasminda explores an important moment in history, the schism between Elsira and Lagrimar, firsthand through a magical object. I enjoyed how even though the 1920s/30s accoutrements made the world a bit familiar, it still feels fresh and intriguing.
In terms of romance, since that's the main engine for the plot, you can expect a star-crossed, us against the world feel with some open door steam. It's a bit instalove or at least a whirlwind, but the intensity of their experiences together made it slightly less perplexing to me.
I will warn readers that in addition to the fun sexual content on the page, there are some violent near-misses in terms of sexual assault for both leads. There is also copious sexual harassment directed Jasminda's way. Wartime violence extends to the attack of unarmed or underpowered refugees on multiple occasions. It is a hard book in those respects.
While the particular central romance was nice but not amazing for this reader, I feel very invested in the world and its trajectory by the end of this book. Now that world-building is established, I am excited to pick up the sequel and see if its romantic tropes are more to my taste because I think the series has a lot to offer.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Gun violence, Physical abuse, War, and Violence
Minor: Lesbophobia, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
bani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault