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lost_windsock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Gun violence, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Murder
leahfoko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Speaking of Charlie, at times I got kind of annoyed at her character for being bullheaded but that was also who she was and I couldn’t fault her for that at the end of the day because she needed to be that way to develop as a character and get to where she was at the end of the book.
I really felt while reading this book that I had never read anything like it before and that is saying something. Holly Black once again coming in with the unique and wonderful world building. I also really liked that the story wrapped up pretty succinctly at the end while also leaving me intrigued for the second book. For a bit there I wasn’t sure what was going to be left to keep me hooked into wanting to read book two, but then she did it! Last minute hook to keep me coming back for more, while also feeling like the book could stand pretty well on its own if it needed to. I really appreciated that.
Overall I really liked this book, I’m going with 4.5 stars because it took a bit to get going and at times I felt a bit confused and lost trying to keep track of all the pieces of information about the world that were coming my way that it felt a bit like an overload of information at times. But that comes with the elaborate world building at times. I would definitely recommend this book though to fans of Holly Black!
Graphic: Death, Blood, Classism, Child abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Sexual content
molly_greenshields's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death and Gore
stardust_heidi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Physical abuse, and Gore
billie_budd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
My main quibble with the book was with the magic-users’ little governance committee—I wish she’d gone for a structure and name without the antisemitic connotations of a “cabal.”
Graphic: Gore and Violence
elocinrenae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Murder
jen0788's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Gore and Violence
kat_184's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved that the main character, Charlie, is in her late-twenties. It's believable that she could have the knowledge she possesses for the crimes she commits - but I was expecting some more greatness to her skill than what we got to see (and never understood why she had to use ariel-silks to train since they never came up again).
The fantasy story in modern-day setting was a little jarring to me at first, but I settled into it eventually.
I've recently become a fan of Holly Black. I love her writing style and find she has a fascinating way of describing the most horrific scenes. In terms of romance, her slow-burn in The Folk of The Air series is more satisfying than what was in this Adult fiction - I don't particularly care, but some readers might come from the YA to this adult debut expecting more, so just cap your expectations.
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Gore
avie_j's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Murder
casuallygle'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
Graphic: Gore, Child abuse, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Incest and Blood