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jassieex's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
Moderate: Classism
hayy6747's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wish I loved this more! The last half was great, but it took a while for me to get into the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Classism
annorabrady's review against another edition
Genuinely, I could not get into the story. There was potential, but I just felt like even the most basic aspects of storytelling fell flat. The main character has base level motivation, no thought behind her actions, and no consequences for the lack of those thoughts. Even the event that could be deemed a "consequence" ends up being something that was going to happen anyways so she was saved from the guilt and growth.
Additionally, the story includes genocide and despite the FMC directly being tied to people who were victims of the genocide and her enemy being the person responsible for said genocide, there are strong indications that this story is going to be an enemies to lovers story. And that's just not my speed. Enemies to lovers when the enemies is due to personal distrust or misunderstandings is one thing. Enemies to lovers when one partner is actively evil is another thing entirely. Especially since he's years older than her and she's only 17.
Additionally, the story includes genocide and despite the FMC directly being tied to people who were victims of the genocide and her enemy being the person responsible for said genocide, there are strong indications that this story is going to be an enemies to lovers story. And that's just not my speed. Enemies to lovers when the enemies is due to personal distrust or misunderstandings is one thing. Enemies to lovers when one partner is actively evil is another thing entirely. Especially since he's years older than her and she's only 17.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Genocide, Death of parent, Death, Ableism, War, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
leweylibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
My biggest issue with this book is that it didn't feel like there was much about the characters or their growth and relationships. I was so confused as to why the FMC wanted to be with the dude she did when nothing in their interactions felt like much was there? All in all, it was still a pretty fun book, and I'll probably read the second one in the duology when it comes out in August.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Death of parent
darbysbookland's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sunya Mara has really done something fantastic in this book. She clearly put her heart into writing it, because it's been awhile since I've read a book that has captivated me so much, that has held my attention from the very beginning to the very end, and that has made me question whether I know where any of it is going while still feeling like it all made sense looking back afterwards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, and Death of parent
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
I received a copy of this book in a FairyLoot box.
"The Darkening" follows Vesper Vale, a young girl whose parents were failed revolutionaries. Her mother was caught by the queen and chose to die by entering the storm. Now, twelve years later, the Prince's army has finally tracked down Vesper's father and they imprison him. Vesper has always wanted to practice her father's magic and now she has the perfect opportunity. She will stop at nothing to vindicate her parents and free her father.
I was not expecting to be so invested in this story, but I was! Vesper is a strong female lead with a complex relationship with her father. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve and see them try to arrive at a middle ground together. Despite her father always keeping her at an arm's length, and trying to shield his past from her, Vesper still feels love towards him, and is devoted to rescuing him.
"The Storm" entity in this book was really interesting to read about, and I am curious to learn more in future books. We got a small taste of what the magic is that controls the Storm, and I am fascinated to see Vesper learn more and hopefully find a resolution to save her city.
I am definitely interested and am curious to pick up the sequel!
"The Darkening" follows Vesper Vale, a young girl whose parents were failed revolutionaries. Her mother was caught by the queen and chose to die by entering the storm. Now, twelve years later, the Prince's army has finally tracked down Vesper's father and they imprison him. Vesper has always wanted to practice her father's magic and now she has the perfect opportunity. She will stop at nothing to vindicate her parents and free her father.
I was not expecting to be so invested in this story, but I was! Vesper is a strong female lead with a complex relationship with her father. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve and see them try to arrive at a middle ground together. Despite her father always keeping her at an arm's length, and trying to shield his past from her, Vesper still feels love towards him, and is devoted to rescuing him.
"The Storm" entity in this book was really interesting to read about, and I am curious to learn more in future books. We got a small taste of what the magic is that controls the Storm, and I am fascinated to see Vesper learn more and hopefully find a resolution to save her city.
I am definitely interested and am curious to pick up the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Torture
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This fucking book, okay?
I'm an unfortunate sucker for the chosen one girl in a YA trope (thank you, Katniss) and this one really hammers that into you.
1. Vesper (like even the name, come on!!)
2. lives in an area affected by The Storm, and her Region™️ is the last one on the outskirts closest to it, and it's the poorest region.
3. she's not trained in the Magic System™️ but she loves it
4. there's a rich boy who takes pity on her bc of something having to do with the Government™️
5. she has a family tie that creates a vengeance arc so she finds her way to the Capital™️
7. circumstances arise that lead to her working with the rich boy (she thinks that maybe she underestimated him)
8. they're thrown into the Gauntlet™️
9. Alliances are formed and broken, promises are stretched thin, betrayals - how could I ever love someone like You™️?
10. One of them either dies/falls into a coma and the last thing they see is their Enemy?™️
It's like, everything that is tired and we're supposed to hate. BUT- Truly I'm not sure if I'm just, like, giving the book more grace than it's due. BUT-
I think I always give more leeway to a first book, knowing that the author likely has planned arcs over the multiples rather than the individual, so I wanted to suspend my belief, y'know? I didn't mind the questions I had about the magic system, or the politics, etc. I felt like this book very intentionally only gave us the pieces that were given to Vesper. We're *supposed* to feel a little lost in a world we don't fully understand, because that's how Vesper feels in the Ven. I found myself tabbing something as important, then coming across a related thing and running back to the note like, proud of myself that I had called it. It was rewarding to piece things together with Vesper.
I ate up her friendship with the boys,like, so much so that I was in tears at work towards the end of this book . It reminded me of my own friends that I would kill or die for. She was infuriating and rash and impetuous, but she's a 17 year old chosen one! That's her job description.
Something about the writing, the fluidity of the story, drew me in and held me for the two full days it took me to read this. Any time I had to stop reading, I found myself counting the minutes until I could pick it back up. I was fully entranced the entire time. Freaking witchcraft.
I'm an unfortunate sucker for the chosen one girl in a YA trope (thank you, Katniss) and this one really hammers that into you.
1. Vesper (like even the name, come on!!)
2. lives in an area affected by The Storm, and her Region™️ is the last one on the outskirts closest to it, and it's the poorest region.
3. she's not trained in the Magic System™️ but she loves it
4. there's a rich boy who takes pity on her bc of something having to do with the Government™️
5. she has a family tie that creates a vengeance arc so she finds her way to the Capital™️
7. circumstances arise that lead to her working with the rich boy (she thinks that maybe she underestimated him)
8. they're thrown into the Gauntlet™️
9. Alliances are formed and broken, promises are stretched thin, betrayals - how could I ever love someone like You™️?
10. One of them either dies/falls into a coma and the last thing they see is their Enemy?™️
It's like, everything that is tired and we're supposed to hate. BUT- Truly I'm not sure if I'm just, like, giving the book more grace than it's due. BUT-
I think I always give more leeway to a first book, knowing that the author likely has planned arcs over the multiples rather than the individual, so I wanted to suspend my belief, y'know? I didn't mind the questions I had about the magic system, or the politics, etc. I felt like this book very intentionally only gave us the pieces that were given to Vesper. We're *supposed* to feel a little lost in a world we don't fully understand, because that's how Vesper feels in the Ven. I found myself tabbing something as important, then coming across a related thing and running back to the note like, proud of myself that I had called it. It was rewarding to piece things together with Vesper.
I ate up her friendship with the boys,
Something about the writing, the fluidity of the story, drew me in and held me for the two full days it took me to read this. Any time I had to stop reading, I found myself counting the minutes until I could pick it back up. I was fully entranced the entire time. Freaking witchcraft.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, War, Violence, Classism, Grief, Confinement, Blood, and Body horror
frantically's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-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
4.25
This was such a good read and it gave me all the YA feels that I love about the genre. The characters were fun and interesting and the world-building is so interesting and out-wordly. There's no dumb rules for only male monarchs, the rulers are queer, female, siblings ruling together.
Yes, it's a bit basic at times — the different city parts relating to power, evil princes who aren't so evil after all but why change a working system? 😉 There is a lot of poc-rep and I spy mlm rep in the future 🤞🏻 Ikonomancy is an interesting power system and it doesn't rely on violence, more on academic wisdom. At first, I was a bit confused but it made more sense as the book went on and the explanations actually made sense for once, haha.
The ending made me feel like I was on drugs and it was all a bit crazy (and the characterisation went 🏃🏼♀🏃🏼♀🏃🏼♀) but I'm still really excited for the next book!
Yes, it's a bit basic at times — the different city parts relating to power, evil princes who aren't so evil after all but why change a working system? 😉 There is a lot of poc-rep and I spy mlm rep in the future 🤞🏻 Ikonomancy is an interesting power system and it doesn't rely on violence, more on academic wisdom. At first, I was a bit confused but it made more sense as the book went on and the explanations actually made sense for once, haha.
The ending made me feel like I was on drugs and it was all a bit crazy (and the characterisation went 🏃🏼♀🏃🏼♀🏃🏼♀) but I'm still really excited for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Confinement, and Violence
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I really didn’t really care for this read, unfortunately. It’s not very helpful but I don’t feel like going further with my explanations as to why. I don’t have anything nice to say other than the concept had possibility.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, War, Blood, and Death of parent
booksthatburn's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent and Death