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hollyk's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
But this book lacked some of the charm of the first book--namely, Dayo's council, who barely make an appearance before going back to their home realms. And in their place we have Tarisai creating a whole new council of people that to be frank, I had no real interest or investment in with the exception of Min Ja.
It also seems like the empire still isn't really fair? Like sure,
The Redemptor arc was only the fifth section, and the previous book seemed to imply that it would be a major part of this book--but at the end of the day, it was barely a factor and could have been a much larger portion with more significance, especially in regards to
I still enjoyed this book, the writing is beautiful and the characters are great, but there were just some elements that left me wanting more.
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and War
aharper's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide
fromjuliereads'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
4.25
I love the characters in this duology and how their flaws and what they are going through in finding themselves is front and center. They are trying to stay true to themselves while making it a better world. And it is fantastic to read about.
I had thought the part with the Underworld might be longer or more integral to the book - it was pretty short for having worked up to it since book 1. But I still loved the story and of course the characters.
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
a_libra_library's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
taroroot'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 and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content
rhm04'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: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was one of those duologies that had a strong start that very quickly became a story that dragged way more than was necessary. When I finished the first book, I felt discouraged that I didn't love it, but I wanted to give the sequel a chance to redeem everything for me. Sadly, the sequel only made me more disinterested in everything.
The characters never felt particularly likable. The storyline was really cyclical and slow. And overall, I was just thoroughly unimpressed by how little I even retained. Maybe I was just not in the right mood for this kind of lore? I'm not sure. It reminded me of some books that I love but it just didn't have the oomph it needed to make me totally entranced from beginning to end.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
jupiterlee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Child abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and War
brokenbodybitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“in the words of my council sister Queen Min Ja,” I whispered back, “that’s what makes me so popular”
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
mental illness - heavy on intrusive thoughts *these are only ones that I caught/remembered please do not take this as the end all be all*genny'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
People may hate me for this, and even Tarisai herself would disagree, but I have to say it: she had way more chemistry with
I listened to the audiobook over the course of 2 months as I was very busy at the time, so that likely affected my perception of the pacing, but I think the story got too long and meandering. Despite my criticisms, I really did enjoy the journey, and the ending was satisfying. Ifueko handles familial trauma well. I recommend this duology :)
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent