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mbjem_'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The world building is interesting, unique, and compelling enough to be worth reading more about on its own. While I'm not totally endeared to the main characters yet, I did like several of the side characters quite a lot. Hopefully, the sequel will show some real growth for the main characters and make them more likable. At this point, I'm cautiously optimistic about the future and the next books!
Graphic: Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Hate crime, Mental illness, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Murder, Classism, Vomit, Slavery, Racial slurs, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, and Death of parent
cdoubet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Violence, Genocide, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Mental illness, Hate crime, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Torture, Confinement, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Car accident, Medical content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, and Self harm
caseythereader'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
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Self harm, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Chronic illness
annorabrady'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Murder, Animal cruelty, Child death, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Racial slurs, and Mental illness
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Police brutality, Trafficking, and Slavery
anni_swanilda'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Gaslighting, Blood, Classism, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Gore, Murder, Animal death, Suicide attempt, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Vomit, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Self harm
Minor: Sexual content, Child death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, War, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Slavery
etherealiz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, and Xenophobia
strawberrytheauthor's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Colonisation, Death, Xenophobia, Vomit, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Animal death, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual content
mme_carton'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Mental illness, Murder, Blood, War, Alcohol, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Slavery, Abandonment, and Confinement
queer_bookwyrm'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? Yes
4.0
"But you are kind, Malik Hilali. Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours."
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown is an excellent YA fantasy set in a West African inspired setting. I devoured this book. I wish I had this book when I was in high school.
We follow two MCs whose pov alternates with each chapter. Malik, an Eshran boy with anxiety is trying to get into the city of Ziran with his sister's when he unwittingly makes a deal with a spirit names Idir, and is dragged into a game in order to save his younger sister. Karina, the princess of Ziran is a bit of an impetuous brat who has no motivation to rule, suffers from migraines and ends up having to take her mother's place sooner than she thought. Both are of their destinies are connected, but they are trying to kill each other.
This is classic hero's journey with enemies to lovers slow burn. I really liked the magic system in this, but I hope we get to explore it more in the next book. I loved how the author weaved in an element of oral storytelling and the power it can have. We also get representation of anxiety and panic attacks along with it actually becoming the thing that helps him in the end.
I loved the descriptions in this! I could practically smell the spices and see all the colors of Solsatcia! The writing was a joy to read. It was like Brown was weaving her own illusions, just like Malik.
I liked the way the MC's stories tied together and there were twists I didn't see coming. Some things were a little predictable, but I didn't mind. I did find Karina to be annoying for a good chunk of the book, because she was being very stubborn, short sighted, and selfish until she finally got it together. I'm looking forward to seeing how each of their magic grows as Malik and Karina learn how to use it.
Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Animal death
Moderate: Violence, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Slavery
vashtanarada42'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? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, and Gaslighting