Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - Celestial Monsters

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas

7 reviews

crafts_and_coccinellids's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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

4.5

I really liked this book! The characters and their dynamics were fantastic and the plot was engaging. I thought it was a good follow up to the first book, though I liked that one slightly better. The ending was very emotionally effective,

though I do wish that the dioses had actually worked to make the world better instead of leaving everyone else to deal with the consequences of their mistakes.

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bookcaptivated's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

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cj13's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful

4.5

A fun time. I didn’t really get why

the gods had to up and leave completely to make amends for ignoring humans’ needs

at the end.

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theirgracegrace's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.75

Celestial Monsters takes the powerful foundation of the Sunbearer Trials and goes even further in daring to imagine a more equitable world. With the Obsidian dioses freed from their prisons, they are going to take their revenge and plunge the world into eternal darkness unless Teo, Niya and Aurelio can free their captured fellow semidioses and reclaim the Sol Stone. What struck me the most was how the Obsidian people are described in this book; we're introduced to them in the context of the history given in the Sunbearer Trials being a history written by the victors who committed genocide against them. The story of

Suerte and how Xio redeems themself through returning to being his child

is also an incredibly powerful subplot that reaches its culmination at the climax of the action. The characters remain loveable, flawed and often ridiculously silly. I can easily see myself reading and re-reading this duology in the years to come.

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embersbooknook's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad 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

DAMN I really adore these characters, this world, and how queer (yet it also isn’t the plot) that the setting is. The plot was excellent, twisting in directions I wasn’t expecting. I thought this was a fantastic sequel, even better than the first.

I REALLY DIDNT WANT SUERTE TO DIE THOUGH Y’ALL😭😭 I really came to love his character in this book. And Fantasma?! What a queen🥹 Xio’s character growth was really well done and felt authentic and unforced, which I appreciated. Niya was hilarious as usual, and Tea & Aurelio were soooo adorable🥹😍🥹

I really enjoyed the theme/idea, and its exploration, of how the gods can’t save us. Like…idk, it was strangely empowering to me - a reminder that the things we put on pedestals as a society (politicians to name a big one very relevant at the moment🫣) can’t really save us. We save ourselves and each other but having community, working together, and taking care of each other. More than ever, a poignant and powerful theme.

As a nonbinary person it is so moving to be represented at all, let alone in such a wonderful cast of characters😭🥹 Also this book made me HUNGRY - all the descriptions of the delicious food😋 Made me nostalgic too, as a Latine reader. 🥹 I need to be more like Aurelio and cook more😄 This weekend might be time to whip up some sopapillas and café de olla I’m thinking….😌☕️

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readingwithtemperance's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy! This is my most anticipated book of the year and I was ecstatic to have the privilege to read it early.

Celestial Monsters wasn't what I was expecting, it was more. Aiden hit it out of the park with this sequel. Nothing lack luster about it whatsoever. It was just as incredible as The Sunbearer Trials in my opinion.

The transition from the first to second book was SO smooth. I really appreciated that no time passed and we also got caught right back up. I feel like a re-read of The Sunbearer Trials isn't as necessary because of this.

There is such a sense of urgency throughout this book. The determination and simultaneous fear was so prevalent. Our young semidioses are truly awe inspiring heroes. And they each grew so much,

especially Xio! It made me so happy that he got that Zuko redemption arc.

I really enjoyed the dual POV with Teo and Xio. I think had he not included Xio's perspective the book just simply wouldn't have worked as well as it did. And it was reassuring being able to check in on everyone held captive!

One thing about Aiden is that he can write one hell of a villain. The Obsidians were SO cruel, and utterly terrifying.

The way the cells were built specifically to work against the strenths of their captives was diabolical. Especially with Dezi and Marino. The whole dehydration/isolation aspect was so heart breaking.

How

Dezi

was treated by the obsidians especially infuriated me. The act of

binding everyone's hands so they couldn't sign to them prior to being led to the dungeons was awful. And the isolation/being just out of reach of Marino was terrible. It was so wicked to use their disability against them. The ableism and torture bothered me most.

One of my favorite moments while they were held captive was when

Xochi grew a flower for Dezi.

I also loved that when

Xio introduced their new pronouns everyone adjusted their insults accordingly. Because yes you're an asshole, but I'm not going to misgender you.

Something I didn't expect was the backstory of Xio.

My heart broke for them. I cant fathom being the lone survivor of your people. And living a lie/not being able to be your true self for fear of execution. It's no wonder they turned against the Golds, but I'm glad they saw the light in the end with the help of Atzi!

I didn't expect

the dioses to to have such a cruel hand with the history of Reino del Sol. But it makes so much sense. We often aren't taught the TRUE history with colonization. And tend to have a blind faith towards our leaders. And this was something unexpected, but so important for Aiden to address. And I am so happy he did!

The lesson of how tradition doesn't always mean just was a very powerful one.

I loved learning about the people who lived without godly assistance and coexisted peacefully with the "monsters". "We dont kill things just because we're frightened of them" definitely gives some perspective as well. I'd personally love to see more about these people from Aiden.

The romance was so subtle, but incredibly sweet. I loved how much

Niya teased Teo about Aurelio. The marizipan being part of their first kiss and their last at the end when Relio made one for Teo (GO PASTRY CHEF GO). Also I KNEW that Niya and Stella kissed. Omg my jaw was on the floor when it was confirmed. And Niya calling her annoying and holding her hand and Stella LETTING HER!? so sweet. Okay but a continuation as Niya as the MC would be SO good. I'd love to witness how they rebuild/change things for the better.

The love that Stella and Relio have for eachother both warmed and broke my heart.

I was sobbing so hard when she begged the obsidians not to hurt him. And when it was found out that he was willing to take Stella's place. A big fuck you to Lumbre though. So incredibly selfish and cold towards her children. It really bothered me how okay she was with sacrificing Stella.

The duality of "I am a child of Suerte" and "Stay away from my child"? I will never recover. The way that Suerte protected Xio even when he ran away? And how he sacrificed himself? What a beautiful tragedy. I loved that Reino del Sol honored him and his sacrifice. The ofrendas and tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sunbearer trials was such a lovely touch as well.

Everything wrapped up beautifully. I have no complaints other than the fact that this is only a duology. My expectations were exceeded and I could not be happier.

Now I just need September to hurry on up because I want to scream about this with my friends!

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