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vengefuldime's review against another edition
5.0
This is an example of “dropped-in” worldbuilding that at first I was overwhelmed by, but reading another time allowed a much better understanding. The world is really refreshingly unique (at least in what I have read so far), with math and calendrical systems being used in a functionally magical way. It felt new and interesting, challenging in a way that still had elements from other works I have liked. I enjoyed getting the feeling of slowly unspooling the setting and stakes. If felt attention-grabbing although it wasn’t necessarily action-filled. The political mind games and sense of larger motions behind the scenes was pulled off well, making gained knowledge fall easily into place without removing the intrigue. I love the details in the heretical messages, the moths, the servitors and their various shapes, and the signifiers. The additional sections of others, even if only very temporarily, helped make the world seem a bit bigger and the consequences of the actions more real. I am also glad that it kept its focus on the protagonist. I got attached to Cheris throughout the book, and the cliffhanger incites me to read the next very soon.
sohva's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I feel quite conflicted about this book. Like there are a lot of great things: worldbuilding, premise, even the plot. Yet, we're just thrown right into it, and I at least failed to get a proper chance to appreciate it all. The book really doesn't bother too much about explaining its worldbuilding, which is a shame. I can get behind unexplained worldbuilding in a book that focuses more on characters or even just vibes, but this book is rather plot-based. I wasn't a massive fan of trying to follow the plot and try to understand the rules of the plot at the same time.
I really liked the magical system though, it was super unique!
I really liked the magical system though, it was super unique!
cb1984's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I found this quite hard going. I enjoy being dumped in to the world and figuring things out to a degree, but there's just absolutely no explanation of mechanics of the whole calendrical structures which are seemingly super important to everything in the galaxy - both in terms of plot and action. And that meant it felt like I was missing or not understanding quite a lot of important stuff.
The same extended to the societal stuff, albeit to a lesser degree. There I felt like I was missing nuance which would have added a lot of depth (and helped build to the finale), rather than missing crucial detail.
Its a shame, because the plot was good, the characters were good (if generally unsympathetic), the world was clearly well-imagined. But I just felt like I never really got into it. I feel like it could have done with another 50-100 pages of exposition?
The same extended to the societal stuff, albeit to a lesser degree. There I felt like I was missing nuance which would have added a lot of depth (and helped build to the finale), rather than missing crucial detail.
Its a shame, because the plot was good, the characters were good (if generally unsympathetic), the world was clearly well-imagined. But I just felt like I never really got into it. I feel like it could have done with another 50-100 pages of exposition?
katdawg7's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
immila's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
pedanther's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, War, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Rape
Moderate: Body horror, Colonisation, Blood, Confinement, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, and Xenophobia
Minor: Ableism, Drug use, Gun violence, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Alcohol, Bullying, Child death, Classism, and Cursing
riccii's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
jmonster's review
4.0
Author takes a "just trust me bro" approach on core concepts. Honestly thought i was reading the series out of order because nothing is explained. Really fun read though, 4 swords powered by math out of 5.