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takarakei's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Blood, and War
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
booksthatburn's review against another edition
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Mental illness, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Murder
meat_muffin's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Addiction and Animal cruelty
booknerderika's review against another edition
3.75
I was waiting the whole book for
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
risaleel's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Murder
meg_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a super well fleshed out fantasy world and I absolutely loved the characters and the way they grow throughout the story. I especially loved getting to see Arin slowly defrost with Sylvia. This is for sure my type of romance subplot because they truly move forward romantically at a glacial pace.
Another element of this story that I really appreciated that I don't think gets fleshed out well in other books is the present day impact of all of the trauma that Sylvia experienced. She has many moments within the story where she has to use grounding techniques to regulate and be able to focus and there are times she experiences flashbacks and overwhelming feelings due to her past trauma. I felt this was all handled really well and written about in a way that actually felt realistic. I really appreciated that this element of Sylvia's past is discussed and described how it impacts her current daily life.
I will absolutely be reading whatever book(s) come next from this author and within this series.
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence
ayvie's review against another edition
- 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
I'm unsure about the romance. I am having complicated feelings about it and need to let those stew a bit. Coming back to this - I honestly wish the romantic elements hadn't been involved at all in this book. It felt uncomfortable and a lot of it is outside my lane to really delve into. I do think the groundwork is laid for something here, and I'm unsure where it's going to lead (and honestly, I'd be happy if it led to no romance at all).
It felt like the point should have been discomfort and I'm unsure if that was entirely what was portrayed.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
This book has a lot of violence depicted in its pages, but it never felt gratuitous. There's a ton of trauma (specifically explored for Sylvia). The child abuse, sexual assault, and rape are mentions regarding a secondary character.roseleebooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Things that were done well were the pacing and the setup for the ending. There are multiple plot threads to pick up in the next book which could be frustrating for some readers. The key theme of dealing with past trauma and identity after being separated from the foundations of that identity was intriguingly explored throughout.
There were several things that were problematic here with the FMCs relationship with the MMC,
Overall the writing was fairly smooth, the story moved along at a fast pace, and I found myself rethinking things that I took at face value initially about the characters and setting throughout as new information was revealed. I'll definitely be picking up the next book to see what happens next. This may change my review here depending on how some of the above issues are handled.
Graphic: Child abuse, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Murder, and Alcohol
bkwrm1317's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Hashem writes complex, nuanced, real characters who do not easily follow tropes. She also keeps the reader guessing about what turn is coming around the next corner. Quite a page turner, I will definitely be recommending this one far and wide.
Honored that I got to moderate a panel with her on it during 2023 Indie Ink Awards conference.
Moderate: Violence and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual violence
Mild CWs are referenced/referred to briefly, but are not a main component of the story.hailstorm3812's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation