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veeloucagraph'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? Yes
2.75
She'd never liked that phrase, diamond in the rough. All that meant was that they had to cut you again and again to let the light in.
That was all there was in this world. No heroes or villains, just the people you'd brave the waves for, and the ones you'd let drown.
I've been trying to figure out a way to start this review and I believe the easiest way is to say, I couldn't wait for the sequel after Ninth House, and now I don't know if I want another sequel.
The second book in this occult New Haven setting felt disappointing, like it was shy, not going all the way with any of its themes, unlike Ninth House, which impressed, shocked and enthralled me by the end. The story moves along quite slowly but at the same time, as though we don't get enough time to breathe with the characters. Things are happening because they have to, we take characters along for the ride and feel their burden through the boredom their plot points create. The writing feels too preachy or distanced at times and a lot of the supernatural doesn't really make sense either with the tone or the logic the characters come up with. The stakes don't really feel high even though they're meant to be higher than ever and so much tension was lost because of the repetition in the plot, making important moments or reveals anti-climactic.
Maybe all that really needs to be said is that there should have been more secret societies, more rituals, more creatures, more demons, more Alex and Darlington, more of the exciting elements, which Leigh Bardugo seems to keep like a delicacy when your will to read is about to leave you.
Graphic: Cursing, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Excrement, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
margauxjpg'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: Animal cruelty, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
alliemikennareads's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and War
brosca'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
4.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Rape
cutevamp's review against another edition
- 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
I picked this up thinking “this can’t be better than the first one” AND BOY WAS I WRONG.
THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING. GHOSTS AS A METAPHOR FOR TRAUMA. FUCKED UP MAGIC RITUALS. A KICK ASS TATTOOED BISEXUAL WOMAN WITH BLUE FLAME POWERS.
for real though this book made me cry. the plot is incredible and so are the characters, but what it has to say about going through horrible trauma & choosing to not just survive but live is incredibly touching. never thought I’d cry this hard over a rabbit. 100/100 stars
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Touches on institutional violence that is built on & allows sexual assault & racism to thrive. Main character is a recovering addict & SA survivor with suicidal thoughts. Themes are less prevalent than first book but deals with survivors guiltsharrikloves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Cannibalism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Slavery
uncreativeoops's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, and Suicide attempt
theespressoedition's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical trauma
jakobmarleymommy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism