Reviews

I was upset enough about a scene in this book that I had to read a couple of palate cleansers before coming back to review it. The troubling scene involved sexual violence, a scene which “replays” (though as a memory and in an abbreviated form) at a later time in the book. It was graphic and shockingly violent, especially considering the players involved in the imagination-contrived scene.

In my opinion, the same result could have been achieved in a dozen different ways that did not involve one character perpetrating SA against another character, and an editor or sensitivity reader should have suggested alternatives.

I did enjoy the overall plot, characters, and the world building, but based on that one scene (and revisiting it with the promise of revisiting it AGAIN in future books in the series), I cannot blindly recommend it.

If I enjoy a book well enough to finish it, it gets an automatic 3.0 stars, as I DNF a LOT of books. This would have likely been a 4.0 for me if not for that scene.

A more detailed content warning is in my further information below, but it does contain slight spoilers.

Content Warnings

weeznet's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This was the epitome of “fine.” It felt like the weirdest mix of Divergent, Harry Potter, and ACOTAR but not necessarily done as well as any of those accomplished. Maybe I’ll read the next one? Who can say.

saltpeanut's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective 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

Can I give a book 6 stars? This was an absolutely delicious main course of fantasy with one of the sexiest romances I’ve come across in a LONG time. As much as I hate to compare books, considering the hype around the ones I will mention I think it’s relevant.

Did you love the mind talking in Fourth Wing but wish it was sexier? Did you hate the miscommunication in Iron Flame and wish that if it was there it’s there for a reason, rather than for the sake of continuous conflict throughout the whole thing?

Did you love Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and want some fun games and trials but make it more adult with an extremely cool and unique magic system? Do you like Fae worlds with organic world building that makes sense to come along incrementally as we learn about the world with our main characters?

Last, but most importantly - do you love the nickname “Little Hurricane”? If so - please read on.

This book absolutely blew me away. Two friends of mine recommended this to me and I could not be more glad that they did. I went in blind and did not want this book to end. The characters are all beautifully crafted and complex, the world is vibrant and the magic is unique. I never felt like I was lacking context on anything, everything felt well paced and intentional and I LOVED the fact this book wasn’t enemies to lovers (though maybe book two will be 👀) as as much as I do love it as a trope I feel like it’s in almost every book I pick up. If you love all the TikTok darlings, or even more so if you have been let down by the TikTok darlings let this book take you in and give you everything you’ve been craving. I cannot see a time soon where I will not be raving about By the Orchid and the Owl.

yonimaes's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

xenikoo's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

3.5

ewally's review against another edition

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funny mysterious fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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