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nerp's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
The best YA fantasy I’ve read since Blood Debts/Blood Justice, The Scapegracers, and The Buried and The Bound. Why isn’t this the dragon book people are imprinting on?? Sibling love is the center of this book, and while I have some small/inconsequential worldbuilding questions, it’s phenomenal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Colonisation, Racism, and Death
zombiezami's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
It took a little effort to get into this, but the story started to flow about 25 percent of the way in. I liked the characters quite a bit, especially Ilora. I think the book could have started stronger if it hadn't yada yada-ed the whole war that took place before the book. There was a lot of exposition that could have been more engaging in a show, not tell model.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Death, Xenophobia, War, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Blood, Gore, Murder, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Child death, Alcohol, and Cursing
shannahtan's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
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? No
4.25
I listened to this book on audio. I wish there was a glossary where I could see the names and places written out. It’s considered YA, but I think it’s still well suited for adults.
Things I liked:
Things I liked:
- Rooted in Jamaican history
- Sapphic slow burn romance
- Elements of demisexuality
- Focused heavily on familial love and friendship
- Characters reside in a gray area that challenges your sense of morality
Criticisms
- Plot was a bit predictable
- Characters didn’t have a ton of depth. Faron as the Childe Empyrean continuously made rash decisions. Elara was trying to find herself and escape her sister’s shadow.
Would recommend for fantasy readers who like to be dropped into the story and figure it out as you go. There’s not a ton of world building, and the story takes place in a post-war world where you get details of the last war slowly throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racial slurs and Slavery
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
When her sister becomes unexpectedly bonded to an enemy dragon and the only solution proposed is to kill her, Faron must make difficult choices that will shape not only her and her sister's lives, but the fate of the world, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Colonisation, and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Death
peggyluwho's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.75
I didn’t realize that this was a series going into it. There’s no indication of that on the cover.
The author wove a good story with engaging characters. I was curious to find out where the story was going, though I had predicted some of the twists of early on. I feel like too much was put into the description of people’s outfits and some of the immaturity of the characters was off putting. However, it’s YA and I’m not the target audience.
The author wove a good story with engaging characters. I was curious to find out where the story was going, though I had predicted some of the twists of early on. I feel like too much was put into the description of people’s outfits and some of the immaturity of the characters was off putting. However, it’s YA and I’m not the target audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Violence, and Xenophobia
abby_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
📖
I had a wonderful time reading this book. I liked that it started post-independence war in a time of unsettled peace while everyone was trying to heal from the previous war. The characters were good and I adored their relationships. I liked the pacing and the plot was entertaining.
I had a wonderful time reading this book. I liked that it started post-independence war in a time of unsettled peace while everyone was trying to heal from the previous war. The characters were good and I adored their relationships. I liked the pacing and the plot was entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Colonisation, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Death, and Blood
Minor: Racial slurs and Panic attacks/disorders
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
First of all, I didn't realize this was about dragons until I looked closer at the cover, and I'm not mad about it! Always here for a good fantasy featuring dragons. And this is a pretty solid debut! The strongest aspect of this book is definitely the relationship between Faron and Elara and their dedication to each other. Though they are apart for a lot of the book, we can still feel that strong bond between them.
The world building was also pretty well done! The magic system felt unique, and I am definitely interested in seeing where it goes next. Especially with that ending!
However, some of the writing didn't quite feel as smooth as it should be, though the book definitely hit its stride in the last third of the story. Cole is a promising debut author, and I can't wait to see her grow from here!
The world building was also pretty well done! The magic system felt unique, and I am definitely interested in seeing where it goes next. Especially with that ending!
However, some of the writing didn't quite feel as smooth as it should be, though the book definitely hit its stride in the last third of the story. Cole is a promising debut author, and I can't wait to see her grow from here!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Racism
Minor: Slavery, Racial slurs, and Panic attacks/disorders
chellyfishing's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation and War
glass_carousel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Genocide
cadence99's review
4.25
I really enjoyed this book, and, having not realized it was a series, am now deeply upset I have to wait for a resolution.
The beautiful strong relationships between characters really stood out for me. I felt the connections between them drive their actions in such a way that kept me invested in their success. I can’t wait to see where this journey leads.
The beautiful strong relationships between characters really stood out for me. I felt the connections between them drive their actions in such a way that kept me invested in their success. I can’t wait to see where this journey leads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, Grief, Animal death, Colonisation, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail