Scan barcode
turtlebucket's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder
Minor: War
booksthatburn'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
Grace is so genuinely trusting that she needs someone more cynical and observant around to keep things from turning out badly when people take advantage of her. She can, and has, reset her life after betrayal, but it's so nice to see a part of her life where people help her rather than leaving her to sink or swim in the wake of abuse and betrayal. Stephen and his fellow paladins are living each day without their god, trying to be helpful rather than letting the black tide swallow them. It's nice to read a story where the main characters have lives separate from each other, but it's obvious how their lives are enriched by each other's company and possible affection. Zale is a fantastic wit and an even better lawyer, it's great to see them again.
While technically not a sequel, this is set in the world of the White Rat, mentions places featured elsewhere, and includes at least one character from SWORDHEART. The story itself is entirely new. The worldbuilding focuses on just a couple of locations, but describes places in a way that provides relevant information for this story while giving details which complement what that other White Rat books established. I recommend reading at least SWORDHEART before this, but the main thing that will affect is whether Zale is a new or familiar character.
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Blood, Violence, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Murder, Cursing, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment, Cannibalism, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Child abuse, Excrement, Terminal illness, Child death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Animal death, Alcohol, and Suicide
gothnailcare'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
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual harassment and Infidelity
wilybooklover's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Sexual content, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Infidelity and Injury/Injury detail
epsyphus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Edit for reread: I hadn’t realized until after reading Swordheart that that book, this series, and her Clockwork books are all in the same universe. I’ve been reading them out of chronological order so it was fun to reread this book knowing what Zale had been up to in Swordheart. I really do love her characters so much.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Sexual content
caterwaul's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I did very much enjoy the romance. Stephen and Grace are both fun characters with rough pasts, and I think they play off each other well. I also love that they have relationships outside of just each other and that those non-romantic relationships mean something to the characters and to the story. The sprinkling of politics and mystery on top is also wonderful- I do love political intrigue, though it only minimally appears in this book. Will definitely have to grab it's sequels at some point
Moderate: Murder and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
madbookworm15's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
bethanycrowepowell'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
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Body horror, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
Both protagonists are living with traumas that shape their reactions and impact how they move through the world. This is treated respectfully, even though it makes their journeys more complicated.tinyfrogwizard's review against another edition
1.5
This book fully embraces the terms "lighthearted" and "escapist fantasy" to the detriment of quality. Both the prose and dialogue are reminiscent of fluff fanfiction I wrote as a 15 year old, which I will not pretend to understand the appeal for. The handful of scenes that I thought were clever or funny did not outweigh the amount of times I physically cringed or had to leave the room. I overwhelmingly feel that I was not the intended audience.
Also, the line "well that just happened" 60% into the book? wow. This is just patronizing.
Moderate: Sexual content
moragb'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: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Grief
Relationships handled in a mature way, characters are grown ups