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melissaslibraryy's review
Dropped the book on chapter 13. It’s unfortunate that I had to soft dnf since I was really looking forward to reading the book after the authors amazing marketing vids on TikTok, but I just can’t seem to get into it for some reason. I was a bit confused on the world building in the beginning and even though I kind of understood as the book progressed that and the plot wasn’t enough to keep me intrigued ☹️ I’ll come back to this one day (hopefully) once I’m in the mood if not then it was worth a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Police brutality, Murder, Violence, and War
imaginingly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
straight up one of the best endings to a book i have ever read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Classism, Violence, and Grief
rsugg's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.75
I listened to the audiobook and my only criticism is that I sometimes found myself needing to repeat parts because the narrator didn’t really distinguish the voices of the different characters, so sometimes it was hard to follow who was saying what until I listened over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Suicide
Moderate: Grief, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder
ali_k0's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
One of the most unique settings I've ever read. A city entirely surrounded by a violent storm. The world building is unlike any I've read before. It's intricate yet easy to follow, and all but vibrated off the page.
It's a quick read if that's what you're looking for, but grips your throat on the first page and never lets go. Revolution, possession, plots, spies, secret histories and more.
Also, this book has one of the most memorable and believable enemies to lovers arcs I've read in a while.
It's a quick read if that's what you're looking for, but grips your throat on the first page and never lets go. Revolution, possession, plots, spies, secret histories and more.
Also, this book has one of the most memorable and believable enemies to lovers arcs I've read in a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Classism
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Violence, Grief, and Blood
mattyroh07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Death
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
erks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Torture, Death, Blood, and Confinement
bimess_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've been struggling to read this book for a minute. At first, it felt like it was going nowhere. The beginning of it slow like it was trying to find its footing? I don't know how to better describe it. Though, that's what the story was at first. Filled with descriptions that pushed me away.
I'm someone that grows tired of that. When you spend too much time describing something that with a few sentences was enough.
But I picked the book right up and finished it. It gets better after page 269? Around there. Which is disappointing to me. However, as the story got where it should've been before, I saw myself enjoying it. It got better and better at the end. I wish that it didn't take till the last minute for the story to actually begin.
the characters: I loved the fact but her relationship with her love interest didn't make any sense. Not one that was properly told. By the end of the book you kinda get the gist but it didn't really made me feel anything. The timeline for their relationship also bothered me.
The other characters? I loved them all to be honest. I wish we had more of them. But we were all stuck inside the head of our fmc.
Overall, I'm not going to lie. I love this book. I have my own issues with it but I loved it. I will be getting the second book when it releases next month.
For those who wish to read it or about to give up: Keep in mind that the story is slow. And that the relationships won't make sense but it's worth it. Those final chapters? Had me at the edge of my bed.
I do hope the second book's storytelling is much faster. Less focused on the descriptions of the world around them. More focused on their connections. That's my hope for it.
I'm someone that grows tired of that. When you spend too much time describing something that with a few sentences was enough.
But I picked the book right up and finished it. It gets better after page 269? Around there. Which is disappointing to me. However, as the story got where it should've been before, I saw myself enjoying it. It got better and better at the end. I wish that it didn't take till the last minute for the story to actually begin.
the characters: I loved the fact but her relationship with her love interest didn't make any sense. Not one that was properly told. By the end of the book you kinda get the gist but it didn't really made me feel anything. The timeline for their relationship also bothered me.
The other characters? I loved them all to be honest. I wish we had more of them. But we were all stuck inside the head of our fmc.
Overall, I'm not going to lie. I love this book. I have my own issues with it but I loved it. I will be getting the second book when it releases next month.
For those who wish to read it or about to give up: Keep in mind that the story is slow. And that the relationships won't make sense but it's worth it. Those final chapters? Had me at the edge of my bed.
I do hope the second book's storytelling is much faster. Less focused on the descriptions of the world around them. More focused on their connections. That's my hope for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Classism, and Suicide
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
fictionaladventures's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn’t really tell you why this didn’t do it for me, except that I just never really connected with it. But I could definitely see some people loving this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
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