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pewterwolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Sexual content, Cursing, Murder, Blood, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Death, Torture, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: War and Death of parent
caffeinated_gills's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
Moderate: Blood, Child death, War, and Violence
Minor: Murder, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Miscarriage, and Mental illness
readwithde'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? No
3.25
This is a book of 3 stories, really: first, Diana and Matthew finding each other and choosing love over the rules of the Congregation. This is the primary plot and takes the most space, as it should. We do get early POV chapters from Matthew that glimpse his secrets, but as a reader, I didn't appreciate being kept in the dark so much, especially as he tends to keep literally everything a secret.
The romance is interesting at first, then picks up and becomes intense and truly lovely,
The second story is about Diana's parents and their choice to get married and have a family
This story is revealed in bursts, and is often confusing to follow. While I find it interesting and evocative, it leaves quite a few plotholes that are never directly answered. In fact, many important rules about magic and powers are handed out nonchalantly, making it easy to be confused if you don't pay close attention.
Finally the third story involves Ashmole 782 and the people who want to use it,
The whole series seems to be centered on this book, but it is never explained why it is so dangerous, vital, or anything else other than what it may contain in an alchemical sense. It makes it hard for me to care who wants it or why when no one knows what is inside or why it's dangerous. A definite problem that is only obvious when not distracted by Diana and Matthew's romance or some disgruntled friend, ally, or enemy.
Overall, I love the concept, but it didn't need to be so detailed, so cerebral, or so lengthy. Likewise, the final 50 pages add two brand new characters from out of nowhere; they end up causing upheaval to the entire plan and structure. Some better pacing could fix many of these issues and smooth out the extra plotlines.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry