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rorikae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
'In the Ravenous Dark' is a deliciously dark story that celebrates queerness.
It centers on Rovan, a bloodmage in the city of Thanopolis, who has been hiding her powers ever since her father was killed. When she discovers that her father's death wasn't quite what she thought and her powers are discovered, she is forced to come to the palace to be bound to a shade. As she learns more about the bloodmages and the world that surrounds her, all while also falling for a princess, she begins to question what is going on in the world and how she can free herself.
A.M. Strickland creates a decadent world wrapped up with intriguing characters and a fascinating magic system. Their extravagant writing matches with the gaudy setting, all while creating a captivating story. Two of the things that stand out the most to me are the characters and the writing. Strickland's world comes to life under her lush prose that provides great detail in a world that is dripping with intricacies. Settled down into this world are characters, some that you love, some that you hate, and others that you may not like but still care deeply for. Rovan is a complex and flawed heroine but I never once stopped liking her, even when the story got especially dark. The queer love stories and the polyamory were perfectly matched to the world.
The only hiccup is that there were some moments where the love stories felt like they moved a bit too quickly though this didn't bother me a great deal. Strickland has created such great characters and the bonds of friendship and family are so strong that things moving too quickly only barely caught my attention. This is such a great book though incredibly dark. I will definitely be picking up more of Strickland's writing.
It centers on Rovan, a bloodmage in the city of Thanopolis, who has been hiding her powers ever since her father was killed. When she discovers that her father's death wasn't quite what she thought and her powers are discovered, she is forced to come to the palace to be bound to a shade. As she learns more about the bloodmages and the world that surrounds her, all while also falling for a princess, she begins to question what is going on in the world and how she can free herself.
A.M. Strickland creates a decadent world wrapped up with intriguing characters and a fascinating magic system. Their extravagant writing matches with the gaudy setting, all while creating a captivating story. Two of the things that stand out the most to me are the characters and the writing. Strickland's world comes to life under her lush prose that provides great detail in a world that is dripping with intricacies. Settled down into this world are characters, some that you love, some that you hate, and others that you may not like but still care deeply for. Rovan is a complex and flawed heroine but I never once stopped liking her, even when the story got especially dark. The queer love stories and the polyamory were perfectly matched to the world.
The only hiccup is that there were some moments where the love stories felt like they moved a bit too quickly though this didn't bother me a great deal. Strickland has created such great characters and the bonds of friendship and family are so strong that things moving too quickly only barely caught my attention. This is such a great book though incredibly dark. I will definitely be picking up more of Strickland's writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Gore, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, and Suicide
truthaurdare's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Violence, Torture, and Sexual content
samthebookslayer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
achingallover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
1.0
Really stuck how to rate this.
First 2/3 the characters were inconsistent, shallow and annoying.
Last 1/3 the plot was really interesting, fast paced, with super cool magic. But still didn't make much sense.
It's almost like the last 1/3 was a different book.
Japha was the only good character, and they weren't developed well.
First 2/3 the characters were inconsistent, shallow and annoying.
Last 1/3 the plot was really interesting, fast paced, with super cool magic. But still didn't make much sense.
It's almost like the last 1/3 was a different book.
Japha was the only good character, and they weren't developed well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, and Vomit
izzybeereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
Overall, I really enjoyed this back! I loved following the main character, the various LGBTQA+ representation, the world, the magic, everything! My only gripe, and why I ultimately gave it 4 stars, was the pacing. From my understanding, this is a standalone! I actually think it would have greatly benefited from being at least a duology. A lot of the plot, character development, and relationships felt unnaturally rushed to me. I would have really loved had the book slowed down and went further in depth! Despite that, still a wonderful and entertaining read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
mhs_197's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Body horror, Rape, and Suicide
vaniavela's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Torture, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Outing, Gore, and Death
gingercat99's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Gore, Death of parent, and Blood
Minor: Confinement and Lesbophobia
paperbrownies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
- lgbtqiap+, ya fantasy, romance, intricate magic system, beautiful world building, blood and death magic, political intrigue
- f|f|m
- polyamory, pansexual mc, lesbian li, male li, asexual nonbinary sc, lesbian sc
the first thing that caught my attention in this book was the detailing, and the world building: it was something both dark and beautiful like antique pieces that you werent supposed to be touched, all dark roses, blood and gore and skull, with a hint of mossy forests later!!
now for the characters: rovan is a messy protagonist brimming with so much sass. i love how authentic the portrayal of her conflict is, it was both believable and heart-wrenching and i just wish we got to know more about lydea just like we did in case of ivrilos!!
the romance felt a bit rushed imo but by the end of the book you could really see the love and respect and understanding the partners had for each other!!
japha is my fave character from the novel!! and god...how i wish we could be friends irl!! ;_;
lastly i would definitely recommend this book to you bc it whooshes by fast and captivates you with its vivid and dangerous and scheming world, its intriguing and unapologetically queer characters and charm!!
- f|f|m
- polyamory, pansexual mc, lesbian li, male li, asexual nonbinary sc, lesbian sc
the first thing that caught my attention in this book was the detailing, and the world building: it was something both dark and beautiful like antique pieces that you werent supposed to be touched, all dark roses, blood and gore and skull, with a hint of mossy forests later!!
now for the characters: rovan is a messy protagonist brimming with so much sass. i love how authentic the portrayal of her conflict is, it was both believable and heart-wrenching and i just wish we got to know more about lydea just like we did in case of ivrilos!!
the romance felt a bit rushed imo but by the end of the book you could really see the love and respect and understanding the partners had for each other!!
japha is my fave character from the novel!! and god...how i wish we could be friends irl!! ;_;
lastly i would definitely recommend this book to you bc it whooshes by fast and captivates you with its vivid and dangerous and scheming world, its intriguing and unapologetically queer characters and charm!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Rape, and Sexual content
rea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book starts really slowly and I wasn't sure if I was enjoying it until I got about a third of the way through and then I couldn't put it down. Once it really starts moving you're on a rollercoaster until the end which comes as a sharp short jolt. I thought this book was the beginning of a series so when I reached the end and realised it wasn't it hit hard.
It is really dark at times and can be a bit graphic but the graphic moments are often fairly quick and you don't miss anything if you skip over them.
The representation is amazing, the MC is Pan and the love interest is a lesbian, while the best friend is an asexual enby. it also includes a poly relationship as well near the end when Roven realises that she loves 2 people and they are both okay with sharing
It is really dark at times and can be a bit graphic but the graphic moments are often fairly quick and you don't miss anything if you skip over them.
The representation is amazing, the MC is Pan and the love interest is a lesbian, while the best friend is an asexual enby.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent