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korra_maddie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
A slow start to the story including introducing characters and plot developments but picks up less than half way through the book. A plot reveal near the end of the book was predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping and Murder
aqulia's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I loved the world building in Beyond the Black Door. Everything I saw of the world was intriguing and immersive. However, I would have liked to see more of the different aspect of the gods and the darkness, along with more specifics of Ranta and the king's bond. I liked most of the characters, and I really appreciate an ace protagonist, and that she's alloromantic. However, I would have liked to see more of Agrir, the king and uncorrupted Razim , because their characters felt under used. I also wasn't a fan of Kamai and Vehyn's dynamic, but that may just be preference. In summary, Beyond the Black Door is a book with phenomenal world building and great characters we don't see quite enough of.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Alcohol, and Sexual content
nutmegandpumpkin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
If I’m being honest, I had a hard time deciding what to rate this book. There were quite a few things that weren’t great but my enjoyment outweighed most of those. If I was reviewing it strictly on writing quality and technicalities my rating would be less high. But I’d feel ingenious rating it lower because it was the prefect book I needed at the time I read it. So my review is just going to be a simple pros and cons list so you can decide for yourself (i was able to thoroughly enjoy it despite the cons)
Pros:
- diverse cast (both LGBTQ+ and skin color)
—> main character is on the asexual spectrum which was refreshing
—> secondary character is trans
—> multiple side characters are gay, bisexual, etc.
-interesting plot revolving around dreams and souls and sleep
- tension and suspense is done really well
- fictional pantheon that I found interesting
- likable main character
- light and fun read
Cons:
- sometimes things happen and it feels very much like they happen for plot reasons (they don’t feel as natural and it can pull you out of immersion a bit)
- some of the descriptions of buildings felt like they went on a little longer than necessary
- quite a few cliches
- felt rushed in some places
- left me wanting a bit more immersion and depth when it came to the worldbuilding (more about how the world works!)
neutral:
- toxic relationship (sometimes it feels like it’s romanticized and sometimes it feels like its not, it wasn’t clear so it might depend on how you read it)
Pros:
- diverse cast (both LGBTQ+ and skin color)
—> main character is on the asexual spectrum which was refreshing
—> secondary character is trans
—> multiple side characters are gay, bisexual, etc.
-interesting plot revolving around dreams and souls and sleep
- tension and suspense is done really well
- fictional pantheon that I found interesting
- likable main character
- light and fun read
Cons:
- sometimes things happen and it feels very much like they happen for plot reasons (they don’t feel as natural and it can pull you out of immersion a bit)
- some of the descriptions of buildings felt like they went on a little longer than necessary
- quite a few cliches
- felt rushed in some places
- left me wanting a bit more immersion and depth when it came to the worldbuilding (more about how the world works!)
neutral:
- toxic relationship (sometimes it feels like it’s romanticized and sometimes it feels like its not, it wasn’t clear so it might depend on how you read it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Suicide attempt, Blood, Sexism, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cursing
ursociallyawkwardbud's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Acephobia/Arophobia
fbzcab's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Murder
vaniavela's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Blood, and Acephobia/Arophobia
tayleigh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Good lgbtqia rep
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Suicide attempt
bpet's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book has so many diverse characters. What I loved that though it’s a book about asexuality, and other sexuality’s, it’s not the main focus. It has a wonderful plot that has a great build up. The book left me wanting more instead of being glad to finish it. The author also created a different religion for the book, which is difficult but it was explained quite well. Also plenty of descriptive words, it transports you right into the setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Blood
abookishwasp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I don't really have a reason not to give this 5 stars, but my gut is telling me 4 stars so I'll go with my gut feeling.
I have to say this is one of the most unique plots and worlds and I loved the queer rep and I definitely recommend. It kept me guessing the entire time and I never knew was was gonna happen next there were reveals and plot twists at every turn and it was a ride overall. For a debut, (I think this is a debut) I couldn't tell it was one.
I have to say this is one of the most unique plots and worlds and I loved the queer rep and I definitely recommend. It kept me guessing the entire time and I never knew was was gonna happen next there were reveals and plot twists at every turn and it was a ride overall. For a debut, (I think this is a debut) I couldn't tell it was one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
foreverinastory's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
5.0
This is a dark fantasy I didn't know my soul needed.
Rep: demi-biromantic asexual female MC, trans male asexual side character, gay Black male side character, elderly Black female side character, queer supporting characters, queer-norm world.
CWs: alcohol consumption, blood, death, death of parents, fire/fire injury, gaslighting/manipulation, grief, injury/injury detail, murder, toxic relationship, violence. Moderate: suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt (does not go through with it), attempted kidnapping, drug use (consensual and non-consensual). Minor: infidelity.
Rep: demi-biromantic asexual female MC, trans male asexual side character, gay Black male side character, elderly Black female side character, queer supporting characters, queer-norm world.
CWs: alcohol consumption, blood, death, death of parents, fire/fire injury, gaslighting/manipulation, grief, injury/injury detail, murder, toxic relationship, violence. Moderate: suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt (does not go through with it), attempted kidnapping, drug use (consensual and non-consensual). Minor: infidelity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Drug use
Minor: Infidelity