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xvicesx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a recommendation from Mr B's Reading Spa, which came my way by the wonderful Rhian. It was an altogether deeply enjoyable book in ways that were quite surprising. Maia was an interesting lead character, with a whole load of baggage and a mind set on not letting it guide his way as an Emperor. It made him deeply appealing, and much relatable, in the way that any of us would feel about coming into a position of great power and being unwilling to abuse it.
I enjoyed Maia's commitment to being a good Emperor, his willingness to admit his faults and his clever way with people. While he obviously comes into the story as an unexperienced ruler, he has all the hallmarks of a good ruler, and his difficult journey and embarrassments make it all the more relatable. Some very quotable scenes are owed entirely to his diamond of a fiancée, who deserves much credit for her brilliant turns of phrase!
Highly recommended.
I enjoyed Maia's commitment to being a good Emperor, his willingness to admit his faults and his clever way with people. While he obviously comes into the story as an unexperienced ruler, he has all the hallmarks of a good ruler, and his difficult journey and embarrassments make it all the more relatable. Some very quotable scenes are owed entirely to his diamond of a fiancée, who deserves much credit for her brilliant turns of phrase!
Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Self harm
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Miscarriage, Death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, and Toxic relationship
katie_thompson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Death, Grief, Murder, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Bullying, Child abuse, Racism, and War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Confinement, and Cursing
Minor: Abortion
brogan7's review against another edition
A "court intrigue" about an unlikely heir to the throne (fourth in line) who becomes emperor after a lifetime of exile on an island with an (abusive) guardian. I wish the relationship with Setheris had been better explored. The impact on Maia...
I like the Nohecharai, the servants who guard the emperor to the death, one more of a physical guard and one a spiritual guard.
I like the Nohecharai, the servants who guard the emperor to the death, one more of a physical guard and one a spiritual guard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
pasanov's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'd give a higher rating if the magic system of the world was explored a bit more, and if the already diverse cast of characters was explored from different perspectives than just the protagonist's. Protagonist gets told a lot and instead of uncovering the mystery together with him we are shown every detail of his inner life, which just isn't my cup of tea beyond setting the audio book to 1.5 and running through to find out what happens in the end. That the characters are interesting and likeable to wish to do that is high praise enough.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Colonisation, Grief, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
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