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mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing: 3.75⭐️/5
The writing in this novel was solid, but not outstandingly strong. At times, sections fell flat and felt a bit typical, but overall it was a solidly written read.
Characters: 4⭐️/5
The characters were interesting and engaging. I enjoyed seeing the world through their eyes. Again, at times I felt Lobb leaned a bit too heavily on certain tropes.
Plot: 4.25⭐️/5
I really enjoyed the world and how Lobb brought it to life. In turn, the plot really felt engaging and intriguing. I did really love how the fantasy elements mixed in with the murder mystery plot.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of fantasy and mystery novels
- Those okay with a Young Adult (~15+) read
- Those looking for a quick read with an intriguing concept
Content Warnings?
- Death of a parent, death, illness, war, sexual content, child death, violence
Post-Reading Rating: 4⭐️/5
Would have definitely picked up the second book in the series if it was out.
Final Rating: 4⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Death of parent, War, Sexual content, Chronic illness, Death, and Mental illness
frantically's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I loved the world building in this and I'm always here for a good friends-to-enemies-to-lovers but the characterisation was off at times — there's this obvious goal of making Roz into a morally grey character and it doesn't work at all. I'm not gonna start thinking that a woman's whose a part of the rebellion is morally grey just because of it (no matter how much Damian was convinced of it). There's a lot of telling and little of showing and I just wish I could've been more immersed into the story. I have to say, I absolutely loved the writing style though! Some of the quotes about their relationship...damn, that's a romance writer in the making 😉
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Violence, War, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual content
moonchild_cos's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, Death of parent, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, War, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Mental illness, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, and Dementia
bellebookcorner's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
“Once you have known true grief, you don’t get better. - You find a way to rebuild yourself, even with crucial pieces missing.”
Fantasy, murder mystery, rebellion and lovers-to-enemies-lovers are great elements to make a fantastic story!
The plot is interesting, it has a strong opening with the murder mystery case being introduced up front.
After that, the world building is introduced with the seven Saints being the foundation of the hierarchy of the society, how some people are gifted and some don't resulting in an unfair system which leads to a rebellion.
The story was told in multiple POV but mostly from the main characters, Damian and Roz.
The characters are flawed and very complex. Both main characters have very different personalities, one is full of rage and passionate while the other is full of remorse.
I really like the romantic relationship development of the main characters, the shift happens slowly as Damian and Roz try to open up to each other while solving the mystery.
The pacing in the middle was a bit slow but it did pick up and the unexpected twists in the last few chapters are very surprising.
The epilogue is the 'cherry on top', the cliff-hanger makes me wish I had the second book ready.
Overall, for a debut novel, this is really great and very enjoyable. It’s pretty well written with unique world building.
If you're looking for a murder mystery with fantasy elements then you should pick this one up!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Alcoholism
Minor: Child death and Self harm
catsandbookstacks's review
3.5
YA murder mystery fantasy set in an Italian inspired world controlled by guilds. The people are separated into two groups: disciples, those that have been favoured by the saints and have powers, and the unfavoured. Major themes include politics, classism, poverty, rebellion.
Damian is the standout character for me. He is living with PTSD, guilt and grief but is working towards being a better person, even with the hand he was dealt. Roz is very singular focused and filled with rage. I found her to be hard to read sometimes and somewhat flat. MCs are late teens and also quite horny so likely more of an upper YA read. One fade to black scene, but brief descriptions prior to the fade.
The first half read slow for me, I believe due to the more passive narrative voice. It did pick up 50% in and I overall enjoyed it enough to want to read book two. This one wraps up most major plots but leaves some questions open for the sequel.
Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Damian is the standout character for me. He is living with PTSD, guilt and grief but is working towards being a better person, even with the hand he was dealt. Roz is very singular focused and filled with rage. I found her to be hard to read sometimes and somewhat flat. MCs are late teens and also quite horny so likely more of an upper YA read. One fade to black scene, but brief descriptions prior to the fade.
The first half read slow for me, I believe due to the more passive narrative voice. It did pick up 50% in and I overall enjoyed it enough to want to read book two. This one wraps up most major plots but leaves some questions open for the sequel.
Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Classism, War, Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Child death
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