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tiffanne11'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? No
3.75
Deka has never fit in and is looking forward to being deemed pure and finally belonging. But her entire world is turned upside down when her town is attacked on the day of the ritual. Her blood runs gold, and everything changes.
As a whole, this story was compelling. It used fiction to describe and address real systemic issues, while also creating a world and characters that draw you in.
However, the big reveal was not shocking and it was mildly frustrating how long it took for it to happen.
To me, there is no reason for there to be a sequel or to read it. All of the main loose ends were tied up, and there isn't anything pulling me into continuing the story. The reader has all of the information we need to put it down and be satisfied.
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Torture, Blood, Trafficking, Murder, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
mysteryspouse'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
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, and Dysphoria
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Excrement
kimreads14'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 overall experience of reading this book made my blood boil at all times. Forna's capacity to depict a patriarchal and misogynistic world that will make you question your own reality is masterful!
Forna offers a beautiful piece that pushes you to critically think about the state of our society.
The reason why I bumped it down from 5 ⭐️ to 4.25 ⭐️ is because from time to time the writing and the world-building felt a bit forced rather than carrying you inside Otera smoothly and with grace.
Also while I understand that Deka is meant to be special among even the Alakis, the way this was depicted sometimes felt a bit borderline of a Mary Sue character. Anyone who is used to reading books of this kind will admit that the MFC tends to always be special... However, it sometimes felt like Deka was way too special for no real reason other than pumping up the character's ego instead of moving the story along.
Finally, I was a bit disappointed with the brevity of White Hands' final explanation of who she is and why she did what she did. Parts of the story could have been shorter to give this more space, or pages could have been added.
Overall though, this book was beautifully written and truly makes you question how 'free' you are as a woman in society. I'm excited to get back to Deka and her friends' story with the next book in the series.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
amcintosh914'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? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Xenophobia, and War
molliford'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
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Torture
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Pedophilia
mj1588's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ellyrium'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? N/A
4.25
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault
matcha_pages'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
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Torture, Blood, Religious bigotry, and War
Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence
bridgettetepper'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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and War
marketa_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury