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folkofthebook'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? It's complicated
4.75
Mors irrumat omnia. Death fucks us all.
i INHALED this book, omg. this was a VAST change of pace from shadow & bone and i much preferred it. it was very reminiscent to vicious but more complicated with it's worldbuilding and lore and a stronger theme of sexism and corruption in academia and society.
“I let you die. To save myself, I let you die.
That is the danger in keeping company with survivors.”
i LOVE alex, she's a fighter, a survivor. she is grit and teeth and isn't afraid to bite. it was really cool to see sephardic jewish rep and seeing ladino used in magic. darlington is naively pretentious but unavoidably loveable. this is yet another case of i don't know who i want to be or be with more lol. let the bi panic ensue.
“All you children playing with fire, looking surprised when the house burns down”
i would say the first maybe 10-20% or so was slow for me. not bad but i didn't feel driven until a certain point was hit - and then it took off from there. bardugo's creativity in constructing the houses of lethe and crafting how certain magics fit in with them, intermingled with an undercurrent of demonology and other deathlore, and the weaving of race/class/gender politics within a town and society that is very much built for a specific demographic to come out on top was masterful. i also, despite the sometimes grim scenarios, found myself still huffing in a laugh at the dry humor that tended to come from alex.
“I want to survive this world that keeps trying to destroy me.”
i'm excited to jump into book 2 asap!
Time to go to hell
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Grief, Drug abuse, Addiction, Classism, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Misogyny, Cancer, Gun violence, and Racism
akirma's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Blood, Body horror, and Classism
Minor: Vomit
juliana_erin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Vomit
notsohopelessromantic'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
I love Alex, and Dawes, but am craving more Darlington. The world built is truly corrupt, dark, and magical. Not unlike real life, but different enough that it has the ability to transport you into a world you'd be interested in living in. The end did throw me a bit, in a good way, with that twist. I still feel quite bad for poor North, but perhaps he'll feel a bit better in the next one.
There are uncomfortable instances throughout the book that maybe should have been prefaced with a page dedicated to trigger warnings. That is my only complaint; but seeing as I am able to push through those parts quite well, it didn't bother me in a way that would detract from the rest of the book, or my rating.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Murder, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death, Drug use, Gore, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
paula357's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Murder, Blood, Addiction, Vomit, and Death
torts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Addiction, Blood, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Excrement, Vomit, and Physical abuse
cnjg88's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Graphic: Excrement, Murder, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Addiction, Vomit, Drug use, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Rape, Torture, and Toxic relationship
jacksons_books_and_music's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
The story itself is masterfully crafted. It’s more ingenious than Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, which I loved. There are amazing, well-developed characters and profound themes. I am excited to dive into the sequel.
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Violence, Drug use, Rape, Excrement, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Vomit, Gun violence, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Medical content, Sexual violence, Racism, Addiction, Antisemitism, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
kelsnevi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Body horror, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Murder, and Drug use
Moderate: Excrement
jemms'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? It's complicated
4.5
Characters: 1
All the characters felt real and original, each with their own secrets and motivations.
Plot: 0.75
Excellent blend of world building and mystery. My only complaint is that the big reveal at the end couldn't have been figured out with the information the book gave.
Pacing: 0.75
Engaging throughout, action scenes balanced with enough time to process the plot. Some of the backstory scenes snagged in places.
Writing style: 1
Visceral descriptions perfectly combined with all too human thoughts and dialog.
Vibes: 1
Creeping sense of dread, desire, and desperation woven with the fantastical that mirrors the mundane. 10/10
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Violence, Sexual assault, and Death
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Vomit and Excrement