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vintagefleece's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
It was difficult at first to get used to the book shifting from story to story, but I loved each story line and grew attached to the characters. There are 3 different narrators for the audiobook, which added to the immersion and gave the different perspectives more individuality.
The world building was also extremely well done. The magic system was complex and believable, and it scaled well, in that more powerful magic had a much higher 'cost'.
Lastly, the pacing of this book was phenomenal. It has a bit of a slower start as it takes the necessary time to introduce the characters and their stories, but it is not at all boring.
I knew there were sequels going in, and I was worried the ending would feel like it was purposefully left open, but that was not the case. I'm not sure if this is a spoiler, but each character experiences an arc in their story, so the ending feels satisfying, but it is also not the end of their journey. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
Also, this book has some LGBT rep in the main cast of characters!
The world building was also extremely well done. The magic system was complex and believable, and it scaled well, in that more powerful magic had a much higher 'cost'.
Lastly, the pacing of this book was phenomenal. It has a bit of a slower start as it takes the necessary time to introduce the characters and their stories, but it is not at all boring.
I knew there were sequels going in, and I was worried the ending would feel like it was purposefully left open, but that was not the case. I'm not sure if this is a spoiler, but each character experiences an arc in their story, so the ending feels satisfying, but it is also not the end of their journey. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
Also, this book has some LGBT rep in the main cast of characters!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
srm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Well written with an interesting premise and worldbuilding that I don't want to say too much about, because it was great to discover as I read. Although, I'm seriously worried by ship is dead in the water, darn it. But maybe not. As twisty as this is, it could still happen. *fingers crossed*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, Confinement, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
hplreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
thoseoldcrows23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I will say it feels like a first book. I can tell that Stewart has some big ideas for the story, and a lot of this book's time is spent trying to hurriedly get piece into place. As a result, the pacing is a little off, and some of the relationship dynamics between characters feel rushed; however, Stewarts writing is super engaging, the world/magic is cool and unique, and the story is playing with some of my favorite tropes. I think there's room for this series to be something really special, and I'm looking forward to continuing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror and Gore
I'm not sure how to label it (I went ahead and tagged gore and body horror, but that's not exactly it), but the magic system here is bone magic so there's a lot of death-adjacent stuff going on with that. I didn't find it to be particularly graphic or icky, but you know...it's bone magic.anilourengo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Con 5 puntos de vista diferentes: Lin, la hija del emperador, Jovis, un contrabandista, Phalue, la hija de un gobernador, Ranami, novia de Phalue y Arena, "prisionera" en una isla, es un libro que se va desarrollando lentamente. En la primera mitad del libro vamos conociendo a cada personaje, su entorno y como funciona el mundo en el que se encuentran, donde ya pueden encontrarse algunas pistas de como los 5 personajes se van relacionando entre sí.
A los 3/4 del libro ya están presentes los distintos desafíos a los que se enfrentan 4 de los 5 personajes y como los enfrentan. Dejando el último 25% para que podamos hacernos una idea de cual es la nueva estructura del mundo y en el último capítulo presentando el problema al que se enfrentaran en el segundo libro de la trilogía.
En mi caso particular, la sinopsis del libro no tiene nada que ver con la historia que se desarrolla después, puede que sea una buena sinopsis para la trilogía pero no para la historia en sí, ya que presenta únicamente a Lin como protagonista, cuando para mi el conductor de la historia en este caso, es Jovis. Esta situación llevó a que me costara conectar con el libro y los distintos personajes desde un principio y no encontrar el conflicto que me imaginaba hasta el último capítulo.
En resumen, el 50% inicial del libro sería contexto, 25% central la trama en sí, y el 25% restante.. contexto para continuar la saga.
A los 3/4 del libro ya están presentes los distintos desafíos a los que se enfrentan 4 de los 5 personajes y como los enfrentan. Dejando el último 25% para que podamos hacernos una idea de cual es la nueva estructura del mundo y en el último capítulo presentando el problema al que se enfrentaran en el segundo libro de la trilogía.
En mi caso particular, la sinopsis del libro no tiene nada que ver con la historia que se desarrolla después, puede que sea una buena sinopsis para la trilogía pero no para la historia en sí, ya que presenta únicamente a Lin como protagonista, cuando para mi el conductor de la historia en este caso, es Jovis. Esta situación llevó a que me costara conectar con el libro y los distintos personajes desde un principio y no encontrar el conflicto que me imaginaba hasta el último capítulo.
En resumen, el 50% inicial del libro sería contexto, 25% central la trama en sí, y el 25% restante.. contexto para continuar la saga.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Minor: Bullying and Violence
lpdx's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death
Minor: Confinement
carolineg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
caspian_the_pauper's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Author is clearly a developing author and the plot is rather predictable but the world building is well done and the characters are easy to root for
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
kalecake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I ate this book up!!!!!! It had everything I want in a fantasy book. Epic multiple character POV, family secrets, animal sidekick, murder, two girls in love!!!
I recommend this to anyone looking for a new world to get lost in. This sucked me in and I couldn’t stop reading. The Constructs are so creepy and delightful to read about. If you’re squeamish about mild body horror or brainwashing, I would say this might not be for you. I was obsessed with the magic system and how these creatures have their power.
Five stars! I haven’t felt glued to a book like this in a while and I already have the other two. So excited to keep going!
I recommend this to anyone looking for a new world to get lost in. This sucked me in and I couldn’t stop reading. The Constructs are so creepy and delightful to read about. If you’re squeamish about mild body horror or brainwashing, I would say this might not be for you. I was obsessed with the magic system and how these creatures have their power.
Five stars! I haven’t felt glued to a book like this in a while and I already have the other two. So excited to keep going!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, and Violence
alexijai98's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Love a story where LGBT characters get to just be part of the world!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Xenophobia