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camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The magic system is so unique and Gillig did a great job with her world building. The characters use “trees” as a curse word, which was such a fun touch for a fantasy world with a cursed forest.
I like a vulnerable heroine, one whose strength evolves over the series, but I was really unimpressed by Elspeth.
Gillig’s debut definitely had promise—the world was interesting and grounded, the magic system was interesting, and the plot was great. But her characters (her many, many main characters) were so flat that it ultimately fell short in my eyes.
Minor: Child death, Death, Abandonment, Body horror, Bullying, Blood, Death of parent, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Chronic illness
readbyjaimes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of my new favorite fantasy worlds!!!
This book is the spooky magical gothic world of my dreams. The folktale style and the Providence cards. The rich world that you are brought into isn't overwhelming and the world-building feels really natural. This whole book felt like a foggy autumn afternoon with a cup of tea. It was honestly such a good reading experience.
The love story between Ravyn and Elspeth was so well done too. As an avid romance reader, I thought that it was really done and well balanced with the other things going on in the book. I loved going on adventures with them and seeing their bond grow.
Also, the side characters are not to be ignored! They were so damn good! I was not only invested in Elspeth and Ravyn's story, but also Elm, Ione, and all of the Yew's.
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, and Death of parent
fronk10's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, and Violence
tays_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Abandonment, Child death, Self harm, Cursing, Murder, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury
pookiee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
the magic system being like TCG/cards is so unique and gives me life! def the best part of the book. and the Nightmare is like Venom.
i really like how abandonment and finding a family elsewhere are portrayed. the romance is typical but nice.
this was going to be a 5! but the book drags in the last part and doesn’t conclude, just sets up a sequel—which makes me not want to read it.
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Blood, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Torture
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Vomit
lunsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall it was a good, quick read. Some elements I loved whilst others I just didn't care for. Sadly a bit forgettable if you read a lot of this genre, with the big highlight for me being the magic system.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content
fanchera'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Definitely recommend for people who like darker fantasy with interesting magic and some romance.
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Misogyny, Abandonment, and Sexual content
kirstenf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Child death, Murder, Violence, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Death
Minor: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Confinement