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elmet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Grief, Violence, Death, Sexual assault, Torture, and War
Minor: Child death, Genocide, and Blood
navibo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? No
4.25
The book started and ended well, but I was unmotivated to keep reading it in the middle, tbh. Adore the characters and despise some of them too. There’s one really traumatizing chapter, so be careful and check tws. As the neighborhood sang: “But when you told me the whole story I felt like throwing up.” (Not really a spoiler: she did throw up).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Genocide, and War
Minor: Abandonment
jhaneveauguste's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Genocide, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
strange's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
I was definitely much less harsh in my ratings than I was when I first read this years ago, but this series is still absolutely beautiful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation and Blood
marta_correia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Genocide, Gore, Murder, and Self harm
josephinereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
bi_n_large's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Genocide, and Self harm
Moderate: Suicide and Torture
Minor: Rape and Slavery
ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book takes a darker tone in comparison to the previous installment. The war between the chimera and angels has resurfaced at full force. Karou must navigate her complicated feelings towards Akiva as she attempts to serve as the new resurrectionist for her people. Meanwhile, the chimera distrust her and Karou's guilt for her perceived role as an accomplice to the Angel keeps her from truly bonding with any of the chimera. Thiago is back in the picture, busy strategizing for the war and keeping a close eye on Karou. One of the main themes explored in the book is that war doesn't differentiate between good and evil. Individuals on both sides of the war commit atrocities and more and more people die, including innocent civilians that do not have nor want involvement in the war. There is very strong imagery of the toll this war is taking on both sides and it paints war as what is is: hideous and taxing. I appreciated the realism in the depiction of this conflict and the way Laini Taylor crafted such important commentary into her story seamlessly.
Despite all the dark themes explored in this book, there are moments of lightheartedness. This is mostly a wholesome contribution made by Zuzana and Mik. I'm still not invested in the romance between Karou and Akiva outside of the symbolism behind their relationship. However, Mik and Zuzana are a different story. Zuzana and Mik were able make me laugh and smile multiple times between very grim moments in the story and their dynamic together is hilarious and cute. They are fiercely loyal and supportive of Karou throughout the story and help provide moments of joy amongst all the carnage of the war. It's clear that they don't really understand the gravity of the situation at first, but they are able to help Karou greatly despite that.
The pacing of the story felt a bit slower than the previous book, but it felt appropriate for the events occurring. None of the events in the story felt like they dragged at any point, which I can appreciate. There is a reveal at the end that raises the stakes astronomically. I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters in the story deal with the aftermath of that in the next book. I liked this installment more than the last, but we also got to see more of Mik and Zuzana, and I think that definitely tipped the scale for me. They are my favorite characters after all. If you liked the first book in the series, I think you'll definitely enjoy this continuation.
Despite all the dark themes explored in this book, there are moments of lightheartedness. This is mostly a wholesome contribution made by Zuzana and Mik. I'm still not invested in the romance between Karou and Akiva outside of the symbolism behind their relationship. However, Mik and Zuzana are a different story. Zuzana and Mik were able make me laugh and smile multiple times between very grim moments in the story and their dynamic together is hilarious and cute. They are fiercely loyal and supportive of Karou throughout the story and help provide moments of joy amongst all the carnage of the war. It's clear that they don't really understand the gravity of the situation at first, but they are able to help Karou greatly despite that.
The pacing of the story felt a bit slower than the previous book, but it felt appropriate for the events occurring. None of the events in the story felt like they dragged at any point, which I can appreciate. There is a reveal at the end that raises the stakes astronomically. I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters in the story deal with the aftermath of that in the next book. I liked this installment more than the last, but we also got to see more of Mik and Zuzana, and I think that definitely tipped the scale for me. They are my favorite characters after all. If you liked the first book in the series, I think you'll definitely enjoy this continuation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Torture, Genocide, and Death
There is a scene with a moderately to mildly graphic attempted rape, hence the content warnings.radreadswithrachel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Laini, you've done it again. I was reluctant to even pick up the next book because I am so enamoured by this world and these characters. I was literally pacing around my house for the last fourth of this book. Sequels don't usually live up to the first book but this one definitely did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Grief, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
bringmybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Original Read: 2015, Re-Read: July 2023
Original Rating 5 ★ , Re-Read Rating 5 ★
Original Rating 5 ★ , Re-Read Rating 5 ★
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
HOW ARE THESE BOOKS SO GOOD I DON’T UNDERSTAND IT
The writing is just unreal, the imagery is unbelievable. IT’S JUST SO GOOD
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Violence, Death, Sexual violence, Genocide, War, and Murder
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