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wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The world building and magic system is interesting (if not semi-lazy with the quasi-Russian culture) but the characters are flat and one dimensional. I was waffling on whether or not to continue the series but the idea of what comes next from the main character's POV doesn't thrill me so I'll probably look up what happens instead.
It's bizarre that the main character starts out as an orphan from war (roughly 8 years old), and seems mature beyond her 17 years by the time the main story arc starts (she is an apprentice cartographer in the army), and then regresses into angsty teenager drama full of petty, juvenile, and shallow plot points because of a chosen one trope?
Lastly, the romance was bad. Both dudes are controlling and manipulative, want to possess her, don't actually care what she wants. Think of any high school romance drama and you will understand the tropes thrown in this book. There's literally a glow up/makeover scene (multiple times actually because they want to emphasize how much she's changed from the 'skinny-but-not-in-a-hot-way' person she was before).
Minor: Body shaming, Classism, Dysphoria, Blood, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Murder, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, War, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Violence
saradasarkar's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Animal death and Violence
Moderate: War and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Abandonment, Confinement, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
lamar17'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Murder, Death, Gun violence, and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
jenarae'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
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: War, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault, Slavery, and Torture
a_tiny_crow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: War, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Gore, and Alcohol
World building is great, but the characters are a little simplistic and tropey. Also I just can't take the Darkling seriously with a name like that. Like a 10-year-old's idea of a badass name for their online goth avatar.theirgracegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Blood, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and War
redherring's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, War, Violence, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Torture, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
bibliorama's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Gaslighting, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Gaslighting
seren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
annabeedell'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, Violence, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol