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bloodmaarked's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
reread 06/09/23:
i reread this in preparation for seasonal fears which i just went and bought, and quite honestly i feel just as much love for this book as i did the first time. so yeah, no updates, refer to original review thx
✧ let's talk about books on my tumblr ✧
original review 06/12/21:
come talk books with me over at my twitter!
oh my god i loved this. something about that cover just told me i would. it was sharp and dark and clever - maybe even too clever at some points, but even where there were plot points that took a while for me to grasp, i was still gripped the whole way through. it's so hard to describe, but yeah, this story was a whole weird, mind-twisting journey of alchemy and power and godhood, and i loved every minute of it. what's more, i loved the cast too! roger and dodger have my whole heart, but i also loved leigh and erin who grew on me over the course of the book. i wish i'd had more time to read because i'm sure i would've torn through it at the speed of light rather than over the near-month that it took in reality. but, if you love SFF, and you love a story that will keep you guessing, i would 100% recommend this. seriously can't wait for seasonal fears to come out - not long now!
i reread this in preparation for seasonal fears which i just went and bought, and quite honestly i feel just as much love for this book as i did the first time. so yeah, no updates, refer to original review thx
✧ let's talk about books on my tumblr ✧
original review 06/12/21:
come talk books with me over at my twitter!
oh my god i loved this. something about that cover just told me i would. it was sharp and dark and clever - maybe even too clever at some points, but even where there were plot points that took a while for me to grasp, i was still gripped the whole way through. it's so hard to describe, but yeah, this story was a whole weird, mind-twisting journey of alchemy and power and godhood, and i loved every minute of it. what's more, i loved the cast too! roger and dodger have my whole heart, but i also loved leigh and erin who grew on me over the course of the book. i wish i'd had more time to read because i'm sure i would've torn through it at the speed of light rather than over the near-month that it took in reality. but, if you love SFF, and you love a story that will keep you guessing, i would 100% recommend this. seriously can't wait for seasonal fears to come out - not long now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Confinement, Violence, Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Medical content, Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Cannibalism, Bullying, Drug use, and Alcohol
cameronreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
5.0
I put off reading this book for so long and it was because I knew I was going to love it and wanted to 'save it', but love doesn't put into words how amazing this book was. It was one of the most beautifully crafted books I have ever read, and whilst I was confused for most of it (and still somewhat am) it was in such a delightful way that added to the amazing atmosphere and made the experience infinitely better. The characters were so deep and complex and I loved watching Roger and Dodger grow up and how their relationship developed throughout the years. I love how Seanan McGuire utilises all her characters to the fullest and truly fleshes out each one, allowing us to read from so many perspectives and really get a sense for what's going on. The 'magic' system was wonderful and confusing in the best possible way. It was dark and atmospheric and simultaneously heart-breaking and joyful. I adored this book. Seanan McGuire did it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Suicide attempt, Death, Blood, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Cursing
Minor: Addiction
cryptid_crow's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The book is entirely self referential, but doesn't make that clear until roughly 1/3 of the way through. Once it does, though, the story makes sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
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