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leweylibrary'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
3.5
They were really hating on the MC's personality which, okay I get, but that's his whole thing, he has an abrasive personality and pushes people away because he doesn't expect anyone to ever love him and certainly not for being himself. His backstory and relationship with his parents is so damn depressing, and they didn't even get to that part like come on. I liked that he was a kid that definitely seemed like he would be bullied but that he immediately turned that on its head and was so sassy and quick witted with it. It was a nice twist on a usual trope in books for/about this age range.
What really got me riled up was a comment about the reversed misogyny with the elvish culture. They were arguing that the author did no research on matriarchies because this isn't what they're really like, and I'm like this is fantasy?? And I don't think the point was to argue in favor of a matriarchy, it was showing that any society that values the contributions and personhood of one gender/sex over the other is not great. And I think those moments made the patriarchal bullshit even more clearly bullshit.
Anywho lol I personally liked all three of the MCs although I do agree that Serene could come across as a bit flat and like she doesn't develop as much as the other two character-wise. My biggest complaint was the pacing and chapter length. It made a lot of sense when I read in the acknowledgements that this was a serial, online thing, but that doesn't necessarily excuse it. The publisher, editor, and author should have really worked to make the book feel like one cohesive whole rather than such individual pieces of one chapter per year. It also did need some major shared plot points to move it along.
Oh, lastly, those sex scenes?? I know I'm ace so this might affect my opinion on this, but I really don't care to read pretty detailed sex scenes between 15-17 year olds, thanks ✌️
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and War
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity
fragrant_stars'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
4.25
Graphic: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Slavery, Violence, and Blood
phantomgecko's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Secondly, you need to accept that the main character is unrealistically mature in certain areas and childish in others. And that's okay. Elliot embodies the ideals of an unprejudiced person (not racist, not sexist, not homophobic) and treats breakups, friend zones and rejection with grace and acceptance. This is not a book about a guy struggling with his sexuality. He knows what he likes and it's fine with him.
He's not a perfect character; he just has different faults. He's actually kinda an antihero because he's an obnoxious jerk.
Also, the magic land (that doesn't actually have magic, just creatures) is fascinating. From the only slightly hyperbolic matriarchal elves to the realistically colonial and species-ist humans to the choice in creatures in general. Harpies and mermaids are not usually included as sentient races in fantasy like this. I'd expect centaurs and, like, fairies or something to come first. Love it.
This book is funny. I commend that.
Relationships are a huge part of the book. Platonic, familial, and romantic. All the romance-y bits are like high school drama mixed with college drama, neither of which I care for. A lot of the love drama drives the plot, so it is necessary...to an extent. The love bits stretched on longer than I was interested. Thus four stars instead of five.
Still, a good read. Happy pride.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
wizardowl'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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
sssssoup'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
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, and War
Minor: Biphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, and Alcohol
samh'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
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and War
Moderate: Child death and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
sunkissedrose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Death, Incest, Misogyny, and Murder
starlessnights's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail