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chasshole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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
I was wanting so much more about the gods and the shrines and lore about them rather than just the main characters. I did like Roz and Damian and I loved Piera as well, I just got tired of the longing between Roz and Damian. It felt like they were just pining for each other the whole time and I was just over it. I did also enjoy the murder mystery though!
asuna1930's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
mweis's review against another edition
3.5
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I didn't know what to expect when I picked this up, but I enjoyed this quite a bit! It felt a little like a YA version of The Helm of Midnight. Set in a war-torn city, Seven Faceless Saints follows Rossana, an unwilling disciple who has joined the rebellion and her childhood best friend/would be lover, Damian, a captain of Palazzo security dealing with PTSD from being on the front. The two join forces (sort of) to catch a murderer and feelings get involved. In a lot of ways this book follows many classic YA tropes, which made it easier to sink into the story because it felt comforting despite containing darker elements.
I think where I struggled the most was with the romance, but mostly because I am no longer a teenager so when Roz was making certain choices my brain was screaming about the lack of communication but the choices were very in line with teenage decision making.
While this book isn't a new favorite, I do think it's a solid debut and it ends on a major cliffhanger so I'd be interested in picking up the sequel to see what happens next.
I didn't know what to expect when I picked this up, but I enjoyed this quite a bit! It felt a little like a YA version of The Helm of Midnight. Set in a war-torn city, Seven Faceless Saints follows Rossana, an unwilling disciple who has joined the rebellion and her childhood best friend/would be lover, Damian, a captain of Palazzo security dealing with PTSD from being on the front. The two join forces (sort of) to catch a murderer and feelings get involved. In a lot of ways this book follows many classic YA tropes, which made it easier to sink into the story because it felt comforting despite containing darker elements.
I think where I struggled the most was with the romance, but mostly because I am no longer a teenager so when Roz was making certain choices my brain was screaming about the lack of communication but the choices were very in line with teenage decision making.
While this book isn't a new favorite, I do think it's a solid debut and it ends on a major cliffhanger so I'd be interested in picking up the sequel to see what happens next.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
4.0
Okay FIRST off I should mention that this book does have issues and wont be for everyone but I had a good time. Things to know that will probably improve your enjoyment if you are aware of before hand include; the fact that I noted a few continuity problems with the writing where things didn't make sense for a split second, usually just the way things were worded but easy to move past. Next is the fact that the story is HEAVILY written in feelings, I enjoyed this but at times it was a bit much (this is also how I write short stories so I'm pretty forgiving about it). Then we do have some cheesy relationship moments and people doing stupid or annoying things here or there.
ALL that being said, it's a fun time. I really enjoyed the world building, the fantasy mystery, the characters and interactions, I was pretty invested. Lots of GREAT commentary on unjust power imbalances and mistreatment of unfavored people. If it weren't for the things I mentioned above I would have for sure given this a five star because it was very engaging and I look forward to continuing the series!
ALL that being said, it's a fun time. I really enjoyed the world building, the fantasy mystery, the characters and interactions, I was pretty invested. Lots of GREAT commentary on unjust power imbalances and mistreatment of unfavored people. If it weren't for the things I mentioned above I would have for sure given this a five star because it was very engaging and I look forward to continuing the series!
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I have no idea why this book initially didn't speak to me. I know Fairyloot announced it was in one of their boxes, I checked the book online and decided I was not gonna get this one. A few weeks ago this book crossed my path again and this time the book DID speak to me. A murder mystery, a world with Gods and Saints and marketed towards the readers of Kerri Maniscalco. I bought myself the book and started reading.
I think the only weak point in this book is the world building. I hope that this book is mainly an introduction when it comes to the world. We hear a lot about a big war, but we never get to experience it and we never really hear what it's about. We also spent most of our time in a relatively small village and especially one of its buildings. However, I really liked the parts of the world we did see and I really hope that we're gonna get to see more in the next book.
I also really loved the mythology and the different saints and the people they blessed. Of course it's clear from the prologue that the acolytes of Chaos aren't as gone as people believe them to be, but the author entwined the murder mystery and the mystery surrounding Chaos and what has happened to his people brilliantly. I really thought I had figured it out. And although I had figured something out, the author still managed to surprise me in the end.
My favorite part of this book was the romance though. In a way this romance was beautiful and painful at once. We knew how much these characters care about each other and we also know how many thoughts, guilt and secrets are keeping them apart. There were a few scenes really breaking my heart and especially Damian has quite a few chapters where I wished I could grab him, hug him and tell him he was and is amazing.
I can't wait to dive into the sequel!
I think the only weak point in this book is the world building. I hope that this book is mainly an introduction when it comes to the world. We hear a lot about a big war, but we never get to experience it and we never really hear what it's about. We also spent most of our time in a relatively small village and especially one of its buildings. However, I really liked the parts of the world we did see and I really hope that we're gonna get to see more in the next book.
I also really loved the mythology and the different saints and the people they blessed. Of course it's clear from the prologue that the acolytes of Chaos aren't as gone as people believe them to be, but the author entwined the murder mystery and the mystery surrounding Chaos and what has happened to his people brilliantly. I really thought I had figured it out. And although I had figured something out, the author still managed to surprise me in the end.
My favorite part of this book was the romance though. In a way this romance was beautiful and painful at once. We knew how much these characters care about each other and we also know how many thoughts, guilt and secrets are keeping them apart. There were a few scenes really breaking my heart and especially Damian has quite a few chapters where I wished I could grab him, hug him and tell him he was and is amazing.
I can't wait to dive into the sequel!
the_cryptic_cryptid's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
catherine_dalton08's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
3.5
chaitai00's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sdloomer's review against another edition
I think it's time to admit I'm not going to finish this. It's been two weeks and I haven't even gotten to the halfway mark, so I'm going to set this aside.
ashhopk's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.0
The story was interesting and intriguing but there were so many obvious things that the characters took forever to figure out and it was just frustrating as a reader to wait for them to figure out the obvious