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celeste329's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The whole plot of the book was fairly interesting as well. I could see the chosen one archetype being used, but with different nuances than one would usually expect.
Characters wise, there is a range of them. Bree is obviously the most fleshed out character and I absolutely loved seeing the book-world through her eyes. I really appreciated her journey of self-discovery, and elements of identity explored in the book. Nick is also a personal favourite of mine (what can I say, I love me a sweet and attentive boyfriend, and I think Nick was rather good in that aspect, with the slight question at the end
Sel was also a complex character - but as complex as his background can be, I didn't really vibe with him. Old man Davis is also a compelling character, I could really see and understand his motivations (though not necessarily the root cause). I thought Alice was rather under-utilised in this book.
I also liked Patricia and how she acted like a bridge for Bree and the heritage she was seeking. William was another absolutely fun character, but I was rather confused about his age/wisdom, as some of his personality traits seemed to vary throughout the book. The rest of the cast was fine, I think it was perhaps a tad too large to do specific things with each individual, but it would be interesting to see how/if they change for the remainder of the series.
I didn't quite understand/vibe with the setting. Part of me understood why it was used, given some of the themes explored (privilege, inherited wealth & power, etc), but it felt like the whole College aspect became a bit of a background decoration, with it there to justify some of Bree's interactions with specific characters. The school aspect took a backseat to the bigger setting of the
I would have LOVED to see the
Overall, it was a solid book nonetheless.
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape
nesscress's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
latashman's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that the main love interest relationship. I found very frustrating with insta Love and I'm a little weirded out that Bree is technically a high school student and it sounds like the love interest is college aged. It was hard for me to get past even though I think it's only a year or two difference in age.
Graphic: Slavery, Death of parent, and Racism
74laura74'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
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Slavery, Violence, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, and Mental illness
emma6544'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
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Slavery, War, Medical content, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Bullying
jdp_12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent
sapphicamphibian'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
Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, and Death of parent
risaleel'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
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, and Murder
Minor: Slavery, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and War
smileypers0n's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Death of parent, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Cursing, Car accident, Colonisation, Grief, Hate crime, and Slavery
jocelyn62013'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
4.75
Graphic: Medical content, Racism, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: War and Torture
Minor: Transphobia, Slavery, and Sexual assault