Scan barcode
kodarain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
sunday_evening's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
2.0
Before reading the epilogue I was going to give this book 3 stars because, like many YA fantasy novels, it had the bones of an interesting story but ended up falling completely flat. However, that epilogue kind of pissed me the fuck off. It was quite frankly a bizarre choice, given the message Bannen set up in the rest of the book. So glad this wasn’t a series, because I won’t be reading any more of her books.
dragonwriter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gelya is a devout servant of the Father, but her faith is challenged when a Kantari prisoner is brought before the council and she is tasked with translating his answers. When he reveals that the demon, Elath, is not in the vault they all believed caged her, a bloodbath ensues, devout men of the Father killing everyone present to keep Elath’s location a secret. Gelya, however, manages to escape the massacre with the Kantari, Tavik, and becomes the unwilling vessel of Elath. Now, her only hope for survival is the heretical Tavik, who believes that Elath is a goddess, not a demon, and the source of life for the world. They argue their beliefs throughout their journey, Tavik wanting to release Elath, Gelya terrified that her release will bring the end of the world. But neither of their beliefs encompass the whole truth, and no one can hold the soul of a goddess or demon for long.
Deconstruction fantasies are a hit or miss for me, since some of the points they bring up can be quite triggering. However, I really liked this one. Tavik and Gelya are a sweet couple, despite how they disagree, and they both manage to befriend and love each other. I also really liked how they discover the flaws in each of their religions, and they adjust to them, and their faith grows stronger even as it changes. The underground Ovinist religion calling their secret network “the milk road” was a little awkward, but Tavik was so comfortable about common anatomy, the fact that it felt awkward to me was a little embarrassing. The ending was sad. I kept waiting for it to not be sad, for the sadness to fix itself, but it didn’t. I still can’t quite believe that it didn’t correct itself at the very end, but I’m impressed that it stuck the landing. It wasn’t a happy ending, but it was good.
skiddlebosh's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
harleyrae's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this, unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. I wasn’t a big fan of either of the main characters, I honestly couldn’t have cared less of what happened to them.
I’m also not someone who is usually drawn to books with such a high religious theme. I don’t mind religion in books, but I typically won’t choose to read one where it is the main driving force of the book.
I also found the plot to be uninteresting. It had a very hard time keeping my attention after the first 25 percent.
Overall this one just wasn’t for me.
I’m also not someone who is usually drawn to books with such a high religious theme. I don’t mind religion in books, but I typically won’t choose to read one where it is the main driving force of the book.
I also found the plot to be uninteresting. It had a very hard time keeping my attention after the first 25 percent.
Overall this one just wasn’t for me.
smittysauce's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
thatonekellygirl's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the world, the characters, the characters' experiences grappling with their world, the twisty twists, and ultimately, I didn't guess the ending. Loved it.
sydney_arcuri's review against another edition
4.0
Please excuse me while I go pick up the scattered remains of my heart off the floor.
In all honesty I didn't think I was going to read this book let alone enjoy it as much as I did. I initially picked it up because I saw it sitting on the public library's shelf for weeks, and I also found out that no one had checked it out. Me being me, I felt sad for this inanimate bundle of pages, so I decided "whelp if no one wants to read it I guess I will, so this book doesn't feel left out". Little did I know that this book was going to wreck me.
The religion aspect of this book is very heavy, and I can definitely see where some people may disregard this book. However, I think it works for the overall story. The main issue I had with this book was the time skips throughout the book. There's a lot of time skips and at times it was jarring, especially when a chapter would end with the characters in one area, and the next chapter starts in a complete different location. After a bit you kinda get used to it.
Megan Bannen proves that happy endings aren't always good endings. And that sometimes readers need to have all the hope they have for characters- ripped right out of their hearts.
In all honesty I didn't think I was going to read this book let alone enjoy it as much as I did. I initially picked it up because I saw it sitting on the public library's shelf for weeks, and I also found out that no one had checked it out. Me being me, I felt sad for this inanimate bundle of pages, so I decided "whelp if no one wants to read it I guess I will, so this book doesn't feel left out". Little did I know that this book was going to wreck me.
The religion aspect of this book is very heavy, and I can definitely see where some people may disregard this book. However, I think it works for the overall story. The main issue I had with this book was the time skips throughout the book. There's a lot of time skips and at times it was jarring, especially when a chapter would end with the characters in one area, and the next chapter starts in a complete different location. After a bit you kinda get used to it.
Megan Bannen proves that happy endings aren't always good endings. And that sometimes readers need to have all the hope they have for characters- ripped right out of their hearts.
aurelyarose's review against another edition
Megan's debut The Bird and the Blade was tragic.
This one was just... Depressing, but not in a cathartic bawl your eyes out like The Bird and the Blade was.
Not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did.
Though the banter between the main characters was a bit hit or miss depending on the moment.
I'd recommend this to people who liked her other book and wanted another sad one, or I guess people interested in reading about fantasy religions and people questioning/exploring faith.
But otherwise I'd just recommend The Bird and the Blade, but only if you like pain
This one was just... Depressing, but not in a cathartic bawl your eyes out like The Bird and the Blade was.
Not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did.
Though the banter between the main characters was a bit hit or miss depending on the moment.
I'd recommend this to people who liked her other book and wanted another sad one, or I guess people interested in reading about fantasy religions and people questioning/exploring faith.
But otherwise I'd just recommend The Bird and the Blade, but only if you like pain