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rowstream'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
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Vomit
Minor: Chronic illness
amy_in_the_city's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I also really didn't like that they had Violet and Xaden's ex fighting over him. It was childish, and I'm just done with books pitting women against each other because of some guy.
Xaden was just kind of there, without much personality. All of the side characters were also lacking development. I couldn't remember much about the friends and professors from the first book despite reading it only 4 months ago and was always mixing the characters up in my mind, but it didn't matter much as they weren't very present in this book.
I did like the non-relationship parts of the book, for the most part. I thought learning about the wards and more about Andarna were both interesting, as was the final part of the book. Even during the really exciting plot stuff happening, I was still easily able to put the book down and not feel the need to pick it up again for another day or two.
Just when I thought I was ready to give up on this series, that cliffhanger ending happened. I might give the next book a chance, but I'm really not interested in reading 3 more long books if they're like this one.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism and Animal death
skyfluff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
kim_gzt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The book ends in a Plottwist I didn’t see coming. I’m very excited and scared of what happens in book 3.
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, and War
fraugremlin's review against another edition
1.0
Basically, MC has it in her head she cant trust Love interest because,,, he lied to her? REMINDER they are military and he is literally commiting treason and she has a mind reader childhood friend that betrays her trust in the previous book. He offers his life story to her and willingness to be open about himself but puts his foot down on revealing any secrets that could get him, his family and friends and even her killed. Seems reasonable, right?
Well, apparently, to Violet, its not. its an extreme breach of trust and she breaks off the relationship with him because "how can i be with someone who cant trust me?"
THEN we discover the entire plot of book 2 is around them going through POW scenarios about being interigated and not breaking to reveal secrets. ALL THE MORE REASAON HE IS BEING REASONABLE AND SHE IS NOT. But no, the author thought that because, oh well every book ever has a toxic relationship dynamic, that there needed to be uneccesary padding because reasons.
Extremely stupid and arbitrary BS that perpetuates Toxic relationship culture and needs to stop.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and War
sicemsinger'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
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ko_rax's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First things first: I cannot stand the protagonist, Violet. I have not liked her in Fourth Wing, either. Violet portrays toxicity for me, something I can do well without. Even so, I was hoping for her to have some character development (that proves good character building) and am troubled to find that I cannot discern much of it here.
Her conflicts dragged to a point that I feel like her slow-paced inner work does not match the high-strung tension of a fast-paced plot
For a novel focused on romance, I dare say that it was lacking heavily in the romance department. I can only hope for The Empyrean series to improve from now on.
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
chloe_acceber'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Torture, War, and Injury/Injury detail
annenichols'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
4.25
The voice is still somewhat young, but less so than the last book. The prose is good but not great.
Graphic: Torture, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
teatunesandtales'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Torture, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism