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pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.5
Simply beautiful. So much LGBT+ representation. Especially for my fellow ace community members. Also no one told me there were pirates!! (You think I would have put two and two together when I first looked at Fairyloot's alternate cover, but alas I did not). Lastly, Alix . . . sweet baby child . . . did any one else smash together Aang (ATLA) and Al (Fullmetal Alchemost) in their head when imagining him? Or was it just me?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Gun violence, Grief, Death, War, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ctara2123's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
3.75
I really enjoyed this! But it felt like it went a bit too fast. I think it would have benefited greatly from more fleshing out of literally all of the characters’ backstories and relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Torture and Gun violence
Minor: Death and War
jasper_is_atypical's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Torture
Minor: Classism, Death, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
binches's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
I enjoyed this book so much.
It had pirates, runes, automatons, and a world inspired by Ancient Greece. The rich worldbuilding also hints at an even bigger picture with so many different and diverse cultures (though this book mainly stays and focuses on the islands the protagonists grew up on).
What I loved the most about this book (besides the very casual queer representation, we have an ace protagonist, a non-binary side character, and an mlm couple) is that it didn't waste time on unnecessary drama. There are no frustrating fights over whether or not
The conflict that DOES happen eventually has such a significant impact because we had a good build-up for the character's relationships. It feels meaningful because the book didn't dwell on minor conflicts prior.
What hindered me from rating this book 'exceptional' instead of 'very good' is that every now and then the prose left me confused about the logistics of the current situation. There were moments when I didn't know where exactly the characters were or who was saying what.
Apart from that, this has become one of my favorite books that I had so much fun with and that I would recommend to everyone who wants to read about ace girls hanging out with pirates and befriending automatons.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Gun violence and War
cameronreads's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-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
4.25
I really loved this book - much more than I thought I would. I adored all of the characters and was so invested in their stories. Alix especially was a wonderful main character and it was so interesting to explore what humanity was through his eyes. I loved the representation in this as well, across every spectrum. I can only own voices review the non-binary rep - I loved how straight forward it was and how after brief confusion, it was just accepted - and the asexual part of the aroace rep - which was so wonderfully done and addressed fears and thoughts that I have exactly had, but remained hopeful and happy. The relationship between the two main characters developed and grew so nicely, and both of the side romances had me obsessed (although I wished we had seen a touch more of both of them, but that's personal preference.)
I loved the plot and the magic system, and I felt both were really unique. I loved the pirate aspect and how even though there were actual robots it felt very historical. The pacing was done really nicely as well, in my opinion, and there was never a dull moment.
The only thing I had a slight issue with was the consistent and repetative self-blaming. Everyone constantly believing everything was their fault and having very similar internal monologues over and over does get a bit tiresome. But in a way it did make the characters' eventual acceptance of themselves even more satisfying. Really, though I could have done without it.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book, and had so much fun with it.
I loved the plot and the magic system, and I felt both were really unique. I loved the pirate aspect and how even though there were actual robots it felt very historical. The pacing was done really nicely as well, in my opinion, and there was never a dull moment.
The only thing I had a slight issue with was the consistent and repetative self-blaming. Everyone constantly believing everything was their fault and having very similar internal monologues over and over does get a bit tiresome. But in a way it did make the characters' eventual acceptance of themselves even more satisfying. Really, though I could have done without it.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book, and had so much fun with it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gun violence, and Torture
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
This book was fun and adventurous. I thought that the Grecian touch to the worldbuilding was enjoyable, and I liked how unique the magic system was, and that it was used differently in different places in the fantasy world. Also, it had a big pirate presence, which is always a bonus. The character development was pretty strong; I really liked where Karis, Alix and Dane ended up personally.
There were two main issues with this book for me. The first is that it was told in 1st person POV, alternating between Karis and Alix - the alternating POV was necessary, but it definitely needed 3rd person not 1st, as Karis and Alix's "voices" were so so similar. The second issue is that I think this may have been better off as a duology. The ending just felt a little rushed, and I don't think there was enough time in this book to build up the magnitude of the "final battle".
There were two main issues with this book for me. The first is that it was told in 1st person POV, alternating between Karis and Alix - the alternating POV was necessary, but it definitely needed 3rd person not 1st, as Karis and Alix's "voices" were so so similar. The second issue is that I think this may have been better off as a duology. The ending just felt a little rushed, and I don't think there was enough time in this book to build up the magnitude of the "final battle".
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief, Death, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Blood
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a fun and adventurous fantasy with pirates, androids (?), and ace rep! I enjoyed the story, but there wasn't a lot that really stood out to me about it. I wish that the character development was a little more in depth and that I could have learned more backstory about them. I liked some of the side characters better than the main characters and wished they were in it more. But definitely a fun story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Slavery, Violence, Gun violence, Torture, Death of parent, and Ableism
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