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bree_h_reads's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Self harm, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content
delta1juliet's review
Heavy handed metaphor overshadowed the story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
honeyland's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
I loved this book. The start was a little slow but once it got going, I really loved it. Family dynamics (both living and difficult), current politics cleverly wrapped up in a fantasy setting, a strong female main character (this is one of the few books that actually managed to make the main char cter be my favorite (besides Ty, of course)). But I also really enjoyed the side characters. I feel like all of them had important motivations and character development of their own that made them feel like they weren't just there to support the main character.
I also loved that this book was so casually queer, it was just part of the world, both for protagonists and antagonists.
The politics were super interesting, especially the last few chapters and it just felt so thought-through with many twists and intrigues that just...made sense. I kinda felt like Levi was a introduced a little late or at least didn't show up enough by the time he did for how much of an important role he played but I didn't mind too much. It made him feel a little bit like a late story scapegoat bc despite seeing the signs looking back, I think all of them were a little too subtle to actually make me think "ooh I should have figured that out!" But since I still enjoyed him as the antagonist he was, it doesn't make or break the boom to me.
I also just generally enjoyed the world this was set in, the way magic worked, the familiars and all that came with it. One of the books that again reminded me why I love reading fantasy novels.
I also loved that this book was so casually queer, it was just part of the world, both for protagonists and antagonists.
The politics were super interesting, especially the last few chapters and it just felt so thought-through with many twists and intrigues that just...made sense.
I also just generally enjoyed the world this was set in, the way magic worked, the familiars and all that came with it. One of the books that again reminded me why I love reading fantasy novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Pregnancy
frannook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
jkreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5⭐️
I had really high hopes for this one which I probably should have tempered going into it, because it may have affected how I perceived the book overall. I was really drawn in at the start and it felt really promising, but I felt like there were too many characters and plot points going on towards the middle and end of the book which really impacted the author‘s ability to explore them all adequately.
The MC and the ensemble characters all showed great potential but I feel like we only got to know them on a surface level. Same with the world-building and magic system - it was interesting, with a lot of potential but the depth just wasn’t there.
I loved seeing a non-binary romantic interest, that’s something I’d love to see more representation for in YA fiction and just fiction in general!
I read this book on audio and would highly recommend doing that if you’re wanting to check this one out - the narration was great! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for books read by Lynnette R. Freeman in the future because her voice is gorgeous.
Overall this was a pretty solid YA fantasy, again I think if I hadn’t set my expectations so high I would have enjoyed it much more. This is definitely one I’ll recommend to anyone looking for a witchy YA read!
I had really high hopes for this one which I probably should have tempered going into it, because it may have affected how I perceived the book overall. I was really drawn in at the start and it felt really promising, but I felt like there were too many characters and plot points going on towards the middle and end of the book which really impacted the author‘s ability to explore them all adequately.
The MC and the ensemble characters all showed great potential but I feel like we only got to know them on a surface level. Same with the world-building and magic system - it was interesting, with a lot of potential but the depth just wasn’t there.
I loved seeing a non-binary romantic interest, that’s something I’d love to see more representation for in YA fiction and just fiction in general!
I read this book on audio and would highly recommend doing that if you’re wanting to check this one out - the narration was great! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for books read by Lynnette R. Freeman in the future because her voice is gorgeous.
Overall this was a pretty solid YA fantasy, again I think if I hadn’t set my expectations so high I would have enjoyed it much more. This is definitely one I’ll recommend to anyone looking for a witchy YA read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death and Death of parent