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latashman's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Death
Minor: Death of parent
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
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Stephen's god died a little after noon on the longest day of the year.
With a compelling opening line like that how could I not have a good time reading this book?
To be honest, it kinda similar to The Clockwork boys/The Wonder Engine and Swordheart in that they feature a competent female protagonist in her 30s and a tortured soul of a male paladin(-esque) love interest nearing 40 (+/- a few hundred years), but what can I say beyond I apparently love the trope? It isn't even that unexpected since it's the same author.
Also worth note is that our non-binary friend/lawyer Zale makes an appearance as well as a few other known entities from the world of the White Rat.
My quest to read all the things written under the T. Kingfisher pseudonym continues.
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence