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leedolee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
I've always been fascinated by the idea of shadows existing as separate and living entities so this book certainly fit the bill. It was a great and entertaining read and had a world I will surely return to when the sequel is released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Alcohol, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Violence, Body horror, Death, and Murder
lost_windsock's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
This story captured my attention from the first page. The back and forth between the past and present was compelling, and the shadow magic was interesting and well executed. There was plenty of action and a lot of tense moments, and it just flowed so perfectly and had me hanging on every interaction and decision Charlie made.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Gun violence, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Murder
chrisduhbird's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Blood
Minor: Addiction and Sexual content
becaronytony's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
stardust_heidi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
I had a complicated experience with this book. It dragged so much, and then right when it started moving, we'd get a chapter where we jump back to the past. And all the momentum was lost. There were a lot of character that got garbled up at times, and the pacing was really rough throughout. I think it picked up for me in the last 75 pages, and of course it ended in a wtf moment. I'm kind of glad the next book isn't out yet, because I wouldn't be super motivated to continue at the moment. I'm hoping the next book is able to move more quickly now that we have the bulk of the plot/history outlined.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Physical abuse, and Gore
billie_budd's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Holly Black is really excellent at writing compellingly sticky relationships and I loved getting to read that in an adult-fiction context. This book was grimy and gritty in all the right ways, really rich with setting and detail but still fast paced. Genuinely a delight to get a glimpse of drag shows and kink and gay makeouts in the background of so many scenes.
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.”
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.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
elocinrenae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Murder
jen0788's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Really enjoy this. Well written and paced fantasy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
readsbymoonlight's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
speckledstars's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I found the beginning of the book rather slow. The world building is subpar, and the characters don’t have much depth. At times, the plot was confusing and I found myself looking back to what I’d read. If I hadn’t bought the book, I likely would’ve DNFed.
I only started to be interested in the last half of the book. The plot twists were well done and all the right details were left out until the end. It redeemed itself to a point, but there is definitely a layer missing to this book.
I only started to be interested in the last half of the book. The plot twists were well done and all the right details were left out until the end. It redeemed itself to a point, but there is definitely a layer missing to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Incest and Sexual content