Scan barcode
ka_ke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Racism, Body horror, Classism, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Bullying
Minor: Child abuse, Grief, Child death, Sexual content, and Slavery
beeboofighter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Once you make it through that part, things get better. The characters are kind of flat. Not sure why the book is so well-received. The fairy world setting with different kinds of fairy folk is nice though.
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Infidelity
andrea02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Physical abuse, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Bullying
Minor: Incest, Slavery, and Racism
egurgens'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
There are so many political twists, so much betrayal, blood, gore, spies, magic, bullying, and violence, but it is so so so good. 100% recommend.
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Classism, Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, Domestic abuse, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, War, Child death, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
changbinslemonade's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Minor: War and Infertility
durrareadsstuff'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
2.5
In terms of pacing, I felt like the first half of this book was incredibly slow. I understand that slow-pace in the first books in trilogies is not uncommon, and it helps to set the scene and all, but bro it took like forever for something to happen. And sometimes things escalate so quickly I can't wrap my head around it. Like what the hell is happening??? I also think the romance between Jude and Cardan was just very minimal. Forget slow burn, this is occasional, once-in-a-while-I'll-throw-it-in burn, like just????????? IT'S A FANTASY ROMANCE. It just wasn't enough for me to ship them. Plus, I'm not too fond of he-bullied-you-because-he-liked-you and the fell-in-love-with-my-bully kind of trope. And being abused does NOT justify why Cardan was such a jerk, and yeah, he didn't want to kill Jude, but you COULD HAVE STOPPED IT? AND YOU DIDN'T?
But, I guess the world-building was amazing, and the twists are unexpected enough for me to enjoy them. Although, some of them I guessed right on from the foreshadowing. I felt like the romance part was not that well written, but I guess things will get better in the rest of the trilogy. I also liked Jude's character. In my view, she's the first female lead in a while that has that much strength and power-hunger and hurt that genuinely sets her apart from other female leads. She has a lot to work on, though. But like I said, we'll probably see that in the other two books. As for now though, I don't feel any attachment to the characters, like, at all. I liked Jude, but that's that. I don't feel sorry or worried or find myself rooting for her, but again, let's just wait, you know.
It's been a while since I got so riled up over a book, I was ranting to myself for most of the scenes, and I really enjoyed it. So, I guess it wasn't that bad of a book. I have to hand it to the author that she didn't shy away from the brutalness of the "folklore" like damn, it gets pretty gruesome in here.
I originally gave this 3.5 stars but after some thought I realised I actually hated it just enough to give it a 2.5
Graphic: Bullying and Death
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship
eligru'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Racism, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, and Pregnancy