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wordsareworlds'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
4.0
I really enjoyed having a fantasy not set in Western European mythos, and that casually incorporated so many SWANA elements and queer characters without their queerness being a main source of the conflict. Did have a small hiccup where a character names a food "lentil daal" when daal means lentil, but can't have everything I guess.
As the book went on, I found myself more invested in the past timeline than the present, and the final present reveal felt a bit like a gotcha/anticlimactic moment.
Overall, I am so invested in these characters and the world Wells describes, and am so excited for the sequel.
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, and Genocide
Moderate: Slavery and Child death
schnaucl's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
I liked the various magic systems and political alliances.
It was really interesting that Kai always seemed to make a point of identifying people as male or female based on their dress, but that demons didn't match gender when matching with a host body, only matching social rank
Moderate: Death, Confinement, Gore, Blood, Bullying, Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Dysphoria, Xenophobia, Violence, and War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
dosxhime's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The best parts were Kai, the sprawling world-building, and just how raw and gritty Wells can write emotions for non-human protagonists. I found myself quite surprised how the syntax reminded me a little bit of Murderbot, but it managed to be completely different. Kai's voice and perspective was very different and I was utterly charmed over his journey and his part in the fight against the Hierarches.
I also found myself confused (but wanting more) of the world-building. It feels that there are pieces missing yet intrigued over the parts that I did understand. I love the Saredi/Demon pact, the Benais-arik conspiracy, and even the mystery on the Hierarches' origins. It feels that there is much more to explore in the Rising World and I would be so excited to see if Wells returns to this work.
One of the things that fell flat to me would be the flatness of the characters. I would have loved to learn more about Sanja, Tenes, and Tahren, but I understand that the spotlight was on Kai. And I would have be so invested to understand more of Demon culture in the underearth as well as more about the Fourth House.
4 / 5 B
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, Murder, Violence, War, and Colonisation
waterwolves's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Slavery, Kidnapping, Colonisation, Confinement, Violence, and War
mes0pelagic_fan'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Violence, Colonisation, and Murder
Minor: Slavery
lanid'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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Death, Gore, Murder, Blood, Colonisation, Torture, Body horror, Violence, and Confinement
maryellen's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Genocide, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Colonisation, Self harm, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
pvp_niki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Genocide, Colonisation, and Blood
Moderate: War
Minor: Trafficking and Suicidal thoughts
kkulhannie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Death, Forced institutionalization, and War
Moderate: Trafficking, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Confinement, Genocide, Violence, Slavery, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
hanz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was captivated by this start to finish and was thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. It almost felt like another installment in a beloved series, despite never having read about these characters before.
Graphic: Murder, Self harm, War, Genocide, Colonisation, Confinement, and Kidnapping