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skillyillian'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
Mild spoilers ahead, big spoilers will be tagged
What I really enjoyed about the world building was how the author sticks to her guns about the isolation of Blunder. They don't, can't, travel beyond it, so there's not a single mention of the rest of the world. It's so well done. We only ever see Blunder, but that means it's fully developed with it's own culture, traditions, superstitions, and history. The world is steeped in lore.
The magic system here is so incredibly unique and well thought out, I can't get over it. An infectious mist from a vengeful deity is such a badass way to give your characters magic, and having each person get magic unique to them after the infection just adds to the coolness of it all. Then to add the Cards on top of that? Consider me obsessed. The whole idea of balance, and the way the characters hold it in a place of reverence as much as they hold their deity in a place of fear, is so well done. If the deity hasn't exacted her spiteful balance yet, the people will, in whatever way they think is best. The creativity here is off the charts.
The characters feel so real. Being in Elspeth's head, watching her co-exisg with the Nightmare because she has no other choice, was such a great idea. Ravyn and his family have the same motivation but you can see how it affects each of them individually. The romance felt a bit fast but I didn't really mind it all that much 🤷🏻♀️
The foreshadowing and plot thickening is really well done. My only real gripe with that is that I felt like plot twists such as
I like that the author left a lot of different loose threads for the second book to finish. I'm not super far into the next one but I can already see the loose ends from the first one being pulled into play and it feels really well done.
Overall, this book is just fuckin incredible. The plot, the people, the world building, the incredibly unique and mysterious magic system, and the (albeit kinda fast) romance. I ate this up and enjoyed every minute of it. I do wish there was more diversity in the characters, and that elspeth was a little less oblivious to what's going on around her (and in her head). But besides those and the quick romance, I have no complaints. None. No notes, no crumbs. Gillig knocked it out of the fuckin park here. Even when the foreshadowing felt kind of not super hard to solve at times, it was still so well executed that I really enjoyed each of the reveals. And there was still plenty of things that surprised me. The action was great, the consequences of people's choices were logical, there's just so much I loved here.
2024 is me getting back in my romantasy era and this is such a dope way to start it.
Graphic: Sexual content, Gore, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Alcohol and Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
kristinallard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Death of parent, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, and Violence
edilyaaang's review against another edition
- 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
It was a little confusing at the first few chapters because of the world building. But when you get past that, it will take your breath away.
This had me at the edge of my seat, holding my breath the entire time. How the story unfold was perfection. I didn't even expect to cry but I did at the last part.
This was a very great read to start the new year and I can't wait to read the second book!
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Animal death
cover2covertx's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Child death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Physical abuse, Blood, and Torture
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
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
katievallin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Abandonment, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Terminal illness, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, and Sexism
wildflower_magic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Blood, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Police brutality, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
missgarceau'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I recommend waiting until the series is complete tbh.
The magic system is fascinating & the lore is intriguing. It’s like a dark and twisted fairytale full of riddles & rhymes. An epic quest full of shock & horror and a sprinkle of slow-burn romance.
It’s not FTB but the spice is mild.
Idk if this is categorized as a romance, but unless there’s an HEA- I might trash it in my fury & rage! I am REELING after that ending!! Toddler tantrum level 3000!!!
Caveat emptor. Buyer beware.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Abandonment, Body horror, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Torture, and Toxic relationship
maregred's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content and Fire/Fire injury
clairew97'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
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Violence, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Medical content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual content, and Classism