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crybabybea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
LOVED the prose the author used, and how it played into the world-building. The faerie world felt super immersive and I liked the attention to detail to cultural practices that really sold the difference between the faerie and mortal worlds. It felt whimsical and magical, almost gave me Spirited Away vibes at times. That being said, the world had a good amount of darkness as well; I really appreciated the portrayal of the faerie world as dark and dangerous, and the faerie people as manipulative and cruel. It felt more true to actual faerie tales than other fae-fantasies I've read. The logic of the world-building stayed consistent throughout which I was impressed with.
I love a good morally gray character and EVERYONE is morally gray here, even side characters are given attention. This is especially well done since the story is only told from Jude's point of view, so we get to see for ourselves the choices other characters make and wonder what they are up to. I thought it was clever to use Jude and Taryn as foils of each other by making them twins who navigate the faerie world in different ways. Jude tries to outplay the fae folk in cruelty, while Taryn tries to outplay them in court affairs. But, I felt the climax of the main conflict between Jude and Taryn was a bit childish and felt out of character for both of them.
Interesting politics that felt fresh and helped keep the intrigue up. The pacing was a bit weird at times but nothing too terrible. There was random scene that broke the fourth wall that really gave me the ick, but that's about it.
I did overall enjoy it and found it fun and a quick read.
I love a good morally gray character and EVERYONE is morally gray here, even side characters are given attention. This is especially well done since the story is only told from Jude's point of view, so we get to see for ourselves the choices other characters make and wonder what they are up to. I thought it was clever to use Jude and Taryn as foils of each other by making them twins who navigate the faerie world in different ways. Jude tries to outplay the fae folk in cruelty, while Taryn tries to outplay them in court affairs. But, I felt the climax of the main conflict between Jude and Taryn was a bit childish and felt out of character for both of them.
Interesting politics that felt fresh and helped keep the intrigue up. The pacing was a bit weird at times but nothing too terrible. There was random scene that broke the fourth wall that really gave me the ick, but that's about it.
I did overall enjoy it and found it fun and a quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
katyariannewriting's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Torture
annick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I enjoyed this. I’d happily recommend as young/adult fantasy.
books I rate over four stars mean I’d recommend to others and I’d be likely to reread in future (from being willing to likely and on to definitely and occasionally: imminently)
Once I got around 70pages in, I really got into it and ended up reading on until 3:30am. And excited to start book two the next day
It has flaws. I dislike the US-default of this writer’s fairy-based fantasy writing. Some twists were not a surprise (and most of these weren’t disappointing when revealed)
The psychological tensions between the twins feels undercooked. maybe it’s a slow burn into the series.
books I rate over four stars mean I’d recommend to others and I’d be likely to reread in future (from being willing to likely and on to definitely and occasionally: imminently)
Once I got around 70pages in, I really got into it and ended up reading on until 3:30am. And excited to start book two the next day
It has flaws. I dislike the US-default of this writer’s fairy-based fantasy writing. Some twists were not a surprise (and most of these weren’t disappointing when revealed)
The psychological tensions between the twins feels undercooked. maybe it’s a slow burn into the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Bullying, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Stalking, Physical abuse, Blood, and Violence
sxndaze's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
a fantasy that has absolutely captured me. i’m curious to see how jude and cardan go from here
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Torture
belatedread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Bullying, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Sexual assault
dagmar_gorter8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love Cardan so much
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Self harm, Slavery, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief
ga_3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Slavery, and Torture
nonidude's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
A good series start! I knew a twist was coming, but didn't have it figured out, so that's fun. :) The violent scenes are done well and explain the situation clearly without being overly grotesque. Excited to see how things progress!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Bullying
Minor: War, Death of parent, Torture, Slavery, and Pregnancy
bloomandgloom's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While the majority of this book was quite boring, I still enjoyed it. There was a pretty good amount of world building. There are also so many times you wil roll your eyes at what the MC does. The romance portions didn't land for me since lI'm not the target audience and made me consider not finishing the book. This is a decent fairy story meant for young adults (mostly teen girls), so temper your expectations if you aren't in that category. There is a lot that adults (with even the smallest amounts of romantic experience) will find annoying but for some reason books are still trying to teach young girls that if a boy is mean to you it's fine because he secretly likes you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Bullying, Murder, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Sexual harassment
thebookaddict's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
🇳🇱: in het begin had ik moeite met het inkomen Het boek is niet super vlot geschreven. Het verhaallijn daarentegen is wel super goed. Ik vond de karakter echt top en ben verliefd geworden op Cardan! Het plot was ook prima te volgen en ik zag hem niet aankomen! Een top boek en ik kan niet wachten op de andere delen
🇬🇧: it was a bit hard to come in. The book isn't really fast paced. The storyline is really really good. I liked the characters and I fell in love with Cardan. The plot was also really good, i didn't see it coming! Also we love a strong female character! A great book and I am excited for the other parts
🇬🇧: it was a bit hard to come in. The book isn't really fast paced. The storyline is really really good. I liked the characters and I fell in love with Cardan. The plot was also really good, i didn't see it coming! Also we love a strong female character! A great book and I am excited for the other parts
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and War