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kenzaett's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My first read of 2024, yay!
I picked this up in a bookshop on vacation for half price as a beach read, no clue what it entailed, just knew it was on my tbr, and
what a surprisingly good riiiidddee.
We're taking into an urban fantasy setting within a town that has teenagers fighting to death over the world's biggest magic source for their families (and nobody seems to have ever questioned it? Capitalism I guess), on the eve of the next tournament starting. This round is different though, as a traitorous voice from the village has spilled news about the tournament and now viewers from other villages have gathered to see the gorey spectacle. We follow the children of the 7 families from their nomination to the final fight... And end with a cliffhanger 😭
This book has a wonderful gloomy gothic dark academia witchy creepy village in the woods in the 50ies vibe but with modern and an interesting magic(k) system I haven't seen before.
I disliked the many POVs, 2-3 would have definitely been enough already. We can antagonize the protagonists even when we don't see them from other perspectives!! But that might just have been due to this novel being co-authored by two writers.
I feel like some of the characters could have been more fleshed out, had we had more time with them and their thoughts, and they tend to fall into a few archetypes, but the incredible writing, the scenery, and the way the authors are able to pull you into the world, make you see and hear and smell everything around you.. That makes up for it.
It's also like 1/5 on a spice level, which is amazing for YA. Instead we get brotherly love, manipulation, betrayal, family feuds, academic rivalry, emancipation from who you thought you were or would turn out to be, and a lot of BLOOD.
And I want MORE.
I would have loved a proper ending and to see this as a standalone, but I'll have to soon pick up book two for the conclusion 🥴👍🏻
Graphic: Death, Vomit, Murder, Toxic relationship, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Cursing, Misogyny, and Murder
kate001's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, and Suicide
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Violence and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol and Blood
corporealmystic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Atmosphere: 5/5- You get the sense that from the first few chapters that their is a heaviness that surrounds the place and the people. It is always there throughout the whole book, even when your thoughts aren't focusing on it.
Writing: 4/5- Fast-paced, day-to-day venacular, most readers will be able to pick up the book and not have trouble with word pronunciation or definition.
Plot: 5/5- Seven children, one from each "great" family, are chosen to enter a tournament to the death to become the victor who will weild (along with their family) the rights to control High Magic.
Enjoyment: 5/5- Overall, the book was very enjoyable. Easy to read. Quick paced. Can't wait to get my hands on the second book.
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Murder, and Gore
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Child death
kathyovalle01'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? No
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
jessy4550's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Blood, Death, Body horror, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Torture, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Medical trauma, and Self harm
Minor: Alcohol, Confinement, Alcoholism, and Kidnapping
reads_with_lauren'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Grief, and Bullying
killetcak's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Cursing
evanreads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Child abuse, Gore, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Body horror, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Vomit, Alcohol, and Eating disorder
kitkat6678's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Death, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Alcohol, and Child abuse
Minor: Toxic friendship and Alcoholism