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shaykay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of the reading goals that I have for 2023 is to read at least one author from every author that is going to be at the Sweetgrass Author event in 2024, and Shain Rose is one of the authors that is going to be there! I read Fractured Freedom by her last year and really loved it, and I saw a TikTok video hyping this duology, and I just could not wait to give this book a try. Overall I liked what was going on in it, but the romance wasn't really my favorite thing. I feel like it was really forced, and I just wanted more from it. However, Katalina is amazing, and I loved getting to see her learn how to stand up for herself, and it was just an incredible evolution for her in this one. This one does not end with a happily ever after, it is a duology, and things are supposed to wrap up in the next book, but I am way more curious about how she's going to step up and be a leader!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, and Gore
michellemaas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
As my rating suggests, it was just a very okay book.
A huge part of that is the fact that this is part 1 of a 2-part series (that really should have just been 1 longer book). Nothing truly eventful seemed to happen, and though it set up the sequel beautifully, the plot was still very meh.
Our main characters, Katie and Rome were both described as extremely broken and a danger to each other. While that makes for an interesting premise, I felt the book was just too short for it/chose not to explore it. Other than being outright told "I am so broken and badass" there wasn't any effort put into that part of the narrative which is a shame since it was a huge driving factor. Also, did I mention the love triangle? I really don't like love triangles . . .
Ultimately, I think the series can still turn out okay since there is a lot of potential to be redeemed in the sequel but as for reviewing this book individually, I was extremely underwhelmed.
A huge part of that is the fact that this is part 1 of a 2-part series (that really should have just been 1 longer book). Nothing truly eventful seemed to happen, and though it set up the sequel beautifully, the plot was still very meh.
Our main characters, Katie and Rome were both described as extremely broken and a danger to each other. While that makes for an interesting premise, I felt the book was just too short for it/chose not to explore it. Other than being outright told "I am so broken and badass" there wasn't any effort put into that part of the narrative which is a shame since it was a huge driving factor. Also, did I mention the love triangle? I really don't like love triangles . . .
Ultimately, I think the series can still turn out okay since there is a lot of potential to be redeemed in the sequel but as for reviewing this book individually, I was extremely underwhelmed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Violence, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Suicide, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Trafficking
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Grief, Infidelity, and Racism
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