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At first, this was just very tropey, but fun enough, but very quickly the tropes devolved into stereotypes. Misogyny, rape culture, anti-indigenous sentiment (this was the worst for me), sympathetic MCs who own slaves... If this hadn't been a book club read, I would not have finished it.
That being said, it gets two instead of one star because there *was* fun worldbuilding here and there, and some of the characters could be fun to read about sometimes. However, I only thought about this book when I got angry about the above. lol.
Also, there were WAY too many characters with names that started with A.
That being said, it gets two instead of one star because there *was* fun worldbuilding here and there, and some of the characters could be fun to read about sometimes. However, I only thought about this book when I got angry about the above. lol.
Also, there were WAY too many characters with names that started with A.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Violence
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A pretty solid fantasy romp, with some relatively interesting magic mechanics.
I was initially impressed by the introduction of two women without being given a description of their breasts, though this was quickly rectified. Despite this, and some very uncomfortable sexual violence the book generally and ultimately depicted most of its characters pretty well in service of the story and inter-character relationships.
I was initially impressed by the introduction of two women without being given a description of their breasts, though this was quickly rectified. Despite this, and some very uncomfortable sexual violence the book generally and ultimately depicted most of its characters pretty well in service of the story and inter-character relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, War
Moderate: Racism
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting plot, likeable characters. Surprisingly dark tho. My library characterized this as young adult, so I was surprised by all the cannibalism, gore, rape.
There are other uncomfy elements as well. Didn't love the depiction of the Marat. They were characterized in the beginning as less than human beasts, which was okay until actually interacting with them. Like, wow my guy, these are human people, maybe don't continue describing them like literal animals.
Isana as a character was not very believable for me. Spinster stereotype. Sorry, I just don't believe a capable, emotionally stable adult woman would be jealous of a 14ish year old.
On the other hand, big fan ofAmara and Bernard's relationship. In real life, this age gap is yucky. I'm a sucker for it in fiction, tho.
There are other uncomfy elements as well. Didn't love the depiction of the Marat. They were characterized in the beginning as less than human beasts, which was okay until actually interacting with them. Like, wow my guy, these are human people, maybe don't continue describing them like literal animals.
Isana as a character was not very believable for me. Spinster stereotype. Sorry, I just don't believe a capable, emotionally stable adult woman would be jealous of a 14ish year old.
On the other hand, big fan of
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Slavery
Moderate: Ableism, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, War
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Toxic friendship
Minor: Infertility, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol