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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
riverlasol's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
4.0
this was a powerful debut about magic, discrimination, and family bonds. i did get a little lost with some of the world building moments but it was WORTH IT
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
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 🥺
i really hope baptiste and venus can find a new agent and publisher because i'd love to see a sequel 🥺
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Police brutality
jebecky's review
I got bored about halfway in; it felt like there was very little character development and it was a lot of self sabotage. I hate that trope....
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
justinekorson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.75
Thank You to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC for this story!
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO BETHANY!!!
This is one of my most anticipated books for the year and it did not disappoint. I was so intrigued by the magic and the world that Bethany built. I wish that the book was longer (I think I remember reading that it was meant to be a duology? But Bethany had to make it a standalone instead?? Not sure If I'm remembering that correctly). Regardless I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. Venus was stubborn and vengeful and I can totally get behind that. I liked watching her navigate her magic and Witcher Society to get what she wanted. Presley was also a really great character that I enjoyed seeing in the story. Their loyalty to Venus was unmatched, even when they were upset with her. One character that I could not get behind was Janice. I did not like her because she was giving so much shit to Venus for lying to her and because she deliberately put herself in harms way by going to that protest against Venus' wishes. She'd promised to not go and then snuck out anyways so she's ALSO a liar which makes what she did to Venus very hypocritical. Anyways, the rest of the story and all the plot twists were very fun. There are a few things that I'm confused about but I think that's mostly because I was listening to the audiobook and not actually reading it myself so at some point I want to get a physical copy so I can understand the story fully!
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO BETHANY!!!
This is one of my most anticipated books for the year and it did not disappoint. I was so intrigued by the magic and the world that Bethany built. I wish that the book was longer (I think I remember reading that it was meant to be a duology? But Bethany had to make it a standalone instead?? Not sure If I'm remembering that correctly). Regardless I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. Venus was stubborn and vengeful and I can totally get behind that. I liked watching her navigate her magic and Witcher Society to get what she wanted. Presley was also a really great character that I enjoyed seeing in the story. Their loyalty to Venus was unmatched, even when they were upset with her. One character that I could not get behind was Janice. I did not like her because she was giving so much shit to Venus for lying to her and because she deliberately put herself in harms way by going to that protest against Venus' wishes. She'd promised to not go and then snuck out anyways so she's ALSO a liar which makes what she did to Venus very hypocritical. Anyways, the rest of the story and all the plot twists were very fun. There are a few things that I'm confused about but I think that's mostly because I was listening to the audiobook and not actually reading it myself so at some point I want to get a physical copy so I can understand the story fully!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
storiesatstarfall's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Hate crime, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Murder