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mackayla_carmichael's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
morethanmylupus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
3.0
I liked the world-building, representation, and premise of this one, but it surprisingly failed to hold my attention. The book was long, the violence intense and extensive, the characters felt under-developed, and I found the writing style too choppy.
However, I'm rating this higher than all that would usually earn because I thought the allegory around the racially-motivated violence was strong, especially the way the "good guys" were complicit.
However, I'm rating this higher than all that would usually earn because I thought the allegory around the racially-motivated violence was strong, especially the way the "good guys" were complicit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
book_gremlin42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, and Police brutality
wylder's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Gun violence
thatqueengabby's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
this book was jam packed with action and crazy twists. it was phenomenally done and the concept of magic with such a distinct negative side is something under explored in the genre.
i really hope baptiste and venus can find a new agent and publisher because i'd love to see a sequel š„ŗ
i really hope baptiste and venus can find a new agent and publisher because i'd love to see a sequel š„ŗ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Police brutality
aroma_of_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
eje_reads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I absolutely adored the first half of this book. The first half alone would warrant 5 stars from me. I adore Venus and the introduction of her world, both how Witcher society works along with her family and friends. The world building kept me turning pages and I was locked in for the ride
But then came the last half. While there were some great and tender moments, I feel there was too much talking and revealing things in conversation and inner monologue than action. Any action sequences were extremely rushed which was disappointing because they were done so well in the first few chapters. The ending felt rushed in the span of a few chapters, and the antagonist revealed at the end felt a little cartoony for me considering the heavy topics that went into the creation of this book. And it felt like every few pages was a big reveal/twist that wore me down after a while the more we came across. It didnāt feel thrilling as much as just hoping for an action sequence and not another chapter of talking.
I love Venus and consider her a fantastic character as well as a handful of others in the novel. I heard this was originally supposed to be two books which I feel could have solved the pacing issues in the last half for me. I would love a world of two books in this series to really flesh it out and live in the world like we do in the beginning.
I wish the author all the success in the world. Moments where you know she wrote from the heart shined through, and Iām so happy her novel was published.
But then came the last half. While there were some great and tender moments, I feel there was too much talking and revealing things in conversation and inner monologue than action. Any action sequences were extremely rushed which was disappointing because they were done so well in the first few chapters. The ending felt rushed in the span of a few chapters, and the antagonist revealed at the end felt a little cartoony for me considering the heavy topics that went into the creation of this book. And it felt like every few pages was a big reveal/twist that wore me down after a while the more we came across. It didnāt feel thrilling as much as just hoping for an action sequence and not another chapter of talking.
I love Venus and consider her a fantastic character as well as a handful of others in the novel. I heard this was originally supposed to be two books which I feel could have solved the pacing issues in the last half for me. I would love a world of two books in this series to really flesh it out and live in the world like we do in the beginning.
I wish the author all the success in the world. Moments where you know she wrote from the heart shined through, and Iām so happy her novel was published.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
miladyofscott's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Mass/school shootings
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
I have mixed feelings regarding this bookā¦.
There are some parts that I like and some parts that didnāt really work out for me even though the blurb sounds very interesting.
The characters are well developed and very complex, thereās a lot of morally grey characters with their own secrets and reasons for their actions which sometimes makes it hard for me to pin point the culprit behind Venusās (FMC) mom murder.
Venus was a great character, I admire her love for her sister, her intelligent and her strength.
The world building is unique but at the same time itās also quite complicated, especially regarding the witches and their powers.
I struggled to remember all the terms and information given at the beginning which sometimes can be confusing for me.
I found out thereās a glossary at the end of the story that explains some of that information. It would be nice if it was put at the beginning of the story.
This story felt too long and also dragging in some parts, the main plot also didnāt start until it hit the 30% mark. Although, the last few chapters are quite intense and I was surprised by that plot twist!
Just a warning that some parts/topics in this story can be sensitive to some readers, thereās a list of trigger warnings inside the book but Iāll listed here for you if you want to know beforehand.
For a debut novel, it was pretty good ā I love the plot idea and the unique world building.
It would've been better if the length was shorter and maybe made this into a series so the readers can immersed into the world building slowly.
Thank you to Turn the Page Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. Iām leaving this review voluntarily!
ā ļø šš: This story contains morally grey characters, complicated parent-child relationships, police brutality, fantasy violence, fantastical racism, magical coercion, gun violence, politics, parental death, child death, and dying/death.
In addition, there are depictions of post-traumatic stress disorder anxiety, and depression.
Self-harm, blood, gore, sexual situation, fantasy drugs, underage drinking and profanity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
kingjk2002's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent