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melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
Dropped the book on chapter 13. It’s unfortunate that I had to soft dnf since I was really looking forward to reading the book after the authors amazing marketing vids on TikTok, but I just can’t seem to get into it for some reason. I was a bit confused on the world building in the beginning and even though I kind of understood as the book progressed that and the plot wasn’t enough to keep me intrigued ☹️ I’ll come back to this one day (hopefully) once I’m in the mood if not then it was worth a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Police brutality, Murder, Violence, and War
imaginingly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
straight up one of the best endings to a book i have ever read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Classism, Violence, and Grief
rsugg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
I listened to the audiobook and my only criticism is that I sometimes found myself needing to repeat parts because the narrator didn’t really distinguish the voices of the different characters, so sometimes it was hard to follow who was saying what until I listened over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Suicide
Moderate: Grief, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder
prunechips's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Murder
hayy6747's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
I wish I loved this more! The last half was great, but it took a while for me to get into the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Classism
annorabrady's review against another edition
Genuinely, I could not get into the story. There was potential, but I just felt like even the most basic aspects of storytelling fell flat. The main character has base level motivation, no thought behind her actions, and no consequences for the lack of those thoughts. Even the event that could be deemed a "consequence" ends up being something that was going to happen anyways so she was saved from the guilt and growth.
Additionally, the story includes genocide and despite the FMC directly being tied to people who were victims of the genocide and her enemy being the person responsible for said genocide, there are strong indications that this story is going to be an enemies to lovers story. And that's just not my speed. Enemies to lovers when the enemies is due to personal distrust or misunderstandings is one thing. Enemies to lovers when one partner is actively evil is another thing entirely. Especially since he's years older than her and she's only 17.
Additionally, the story includes genocide and despite the FMC directly being tied to people who were victims of the genocide and her enemy being the person responsible for said genocide, there are strong indications that this story is going to be an enemies to lovers story. And that's just not my speed. Enemies to lovers when the enemies is due to personal distrust or misunderstandings is one thing. Enemies to lovers when one partner is actively evil is another thing entirely. Especially since he's years older than her and she's only 17.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Genocide, Death of parent, Death, Ableism, War, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book in a FairyLoot box.
"The Darkening" follows Vesper Vale, a young girl whose parents were failed revolutionaries. Her mother was caught by the queen and chose to die by entering the storm. Now, twelve years later, the Prince's army has finally tracked down Vesper's father and they imprison him. Vesper has always wanted to practice her father's magic and now she has the perfect opportunity. She will stop at nothing to vindicate her parents and free her father.
I was not expecting to be so invested in this story, but I was! Vesper is a strong female lead with a complex relationship with her father. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve and see them try to arrive at a middle ground together. Despite her father always keeping her at an arm's length, and trying to shield his past from her, Vesper still feels love towards him, and is devoted to rescuing him.
"The Storm" entity in this book was really interesting to read about, and I am curious to learn more in future books. We got a small taste of what the magic is that controls the Storm, and I am fascinated to see Vesper learn more and hopefully find a resolution to save her city.
I am definitely interested and am curious to pick up the sequel!
"The Darkening" follows Vesper Vale, a young girl whose parents were failed revolutionaries. Her mother was caught by the queen and chose to die by entering the storm. Now, twelve years later, the Prince's army has finally tracked down Vesper's father and they imprison him. Vesper has always wanted to practice her father's magic and now she has the perfect opportunity. She will stop at nothing to vindicate her parents and free her father.
I was not expecting to be so invested in this story, but I was! Vesper is a strong female lead with a complex relationship with her father. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve and see them try to arrive at a middle ground together. Despite her father always keeping her at an arm's length, and trying to shield his past from her, Vesper still feels love towards him, and is devoted to rescuing him.
"The Storm" entity in this book was really interesting to read about, and I am curious to learn more in future books. We got a small taste of what the magic is that controls the Storm, and I am fascinated to see Vesper learn more and hopefully find a resolution to save her city.
I am definitely interested and am curious to pick up the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Torture
kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Classism, Death, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
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