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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
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
friendly_neighborhood_grandma'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
This book is entirely character based. Do not expect to understand worldbuilding or plot until later in the book. The dialugues and proze are next level amazing. I cannot describe how amazing and real the characters feel. This is *the* definition of coming of age.
Everybody needs to experience this book, especially teens, especially gifted kids, but everyone. Do yourself a favor, get a friend, and read it together.
I have never saved so many passages in my life. You will want these words and situations forever in your brain.
And it's so gay.
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Racism, Self harm, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Outing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
chloevienna'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
Minor: Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail
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