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cultneophyte7's review against another edition
4.0
I did it! I actually finished a trilogy! Totally still got it.
But seriously though, it feels incredible, since every fantasy series I’ve picked in the last couple of years, I have simply dropped after the first book. And that alone goes a long way in describing how good this really was. Or maybe I finally just was in the right mindset for it, we will never know.
While I have a lot of reservations regarding this particular book, primarily concerning pacing and culmination of some of the character arcs, especially a particular one which I was most excited about, overall this was a fitting conclusion to a very entertaining trilogy.
But seriously though, it feels incredible, since every fantasy series I’ve picked in the last couple of years, I have simply dropped after the first book. And that alone goes a long way in describing how good this really was. Or maybe I finally just was in the right mindset for it, we will never know.
While I have a lot of reservations regarding this particular book, primarily concerning pacing and culmination of some of the character arcs, especially a particular one which I was most excited about, overall this was a fitting conclusion to a very entertaining trilogy.
makkapakka12's review against another edition
dark
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
4.75
lsunshinet's review against another edition
4.0
This review is for the series as a whole.
I liked this series, a lot. Though, it was too long and was a slog to get through sometimes.
TLDR; This was a long hard series. It shows the atrocities of war, what it does to people and shows horribly that there are no winners. It is the people who suffer worst of all. The themes were so well written, thought out and important.
I found it hard to read about the atrocities that happen in war but these things are real, they happened, are happening today.
Runin was such an unlikable character. It makes the series hard to read since she is the main character after all. I can't tell you how many times I just wanted to smack her. I believe this was on purpose and it is blatantly obvious why she is horrible. She made horrible choices, she was selfish, power hungry and stupid. She was used, abused, manipulated and betrayed at every turn. She had only one relationship where she was actually treated well. One relationship that wasn't abusive. Her upbringing until the very end of the story was full of heartbreak and misery. I forgot many times SHE WAS ONLY 21 at the end of the book (17? at the beginning). Of course she made stupid choices, she was a baby thrown into a horrible racist world that wanted nothing but to use her. In the end, she went bonkers but I think her very last act redeemed her in my book. Probably the only good choice she made. Good being a stretch of the word.
I liked this series, a lot. Though, it was too long and was a slog to get through sometimes.
TLDR; This was a long hard series. It shows the atrocities of war, what it does to people and shows horribly that there are no winners. It is the people who suffer worst of all. The themes were so well written, thought out and important.
I found it hard to read about the atrocities that happen in war but these things are real, they happened, are happening today.
Runin was such an unlikable character. It makes the series hard to read since she is the main character after all. I can't tell you how many times I just wanted to smack her. I believe this was on purpose and it is blatantly obvious why she is horrible. She made horrible choices, she was selfish, power hungry and stupid. She was used, abused, manipulated and betrayed at every turn. She had only one relationship where she was actually treated well. One relationship that wasn't abusive. Her upbringing until the very end of the story was full of heartbreak and misery. I forgot many times SHE WAS ONLY 21 at the end of the book (17? at the beginning). Of course she made stupid choices, she was a baby thrown into a horrible racist world that wanted nothing but to use her. In the end, she went bonkers but I think her very last act redeemed her in my book. Probably the only good choice she made. Good being a stretch of the word.
paula_nico's review against another edition
5.0
I'LL BE SENDING YOU MY THERAPY BILLS, MISS R.F. KUANG!!
ellaxo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Animal cruelty, Violence, Animal death, Drug use, Death, Religious bigotry, Child death, and Blood
Moderate: Cannibalism
alondra_98's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jessica_kw_lam's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0