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rhia_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Had me giggling quite a few times!
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Miscarriage
Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, and Sexual violence
searobin'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
I am a bit confused with some things like the Blighted lands. They kinda appeared and disappeared from the story so quickly, and the limited lore we did get about them did not explain enough at all. That is a bit frustrating.
I saw another review where someone said the MC didn't seem 30, but more like 19. I think YA fantasy books have primed us to think that teens are way more capable than they are on average - and of course they aren't average most of the time, they have powers or there's a prophecy and magic involved some how... I can absolutely see how growing up in the protection of first the youngest princess in a castle and then a sort of nun, in combination with a shy and introverted personality leads to a naive and timid adult. I am 31 years old, and absolutely wouldn't be able to do much of what a lot of MCs do in books. It's nice to have something that feels more realistic!
(I do want to take this moment to also acknowledge that there are so many incredible youth who do do absolutely amazing things. The young activist fighting for climate change measures, Indigenous rights and Land Back, BLM, Palestine, etc... are so great. I can see how the heros of YA fantasy could do it, we do have real world examples, it's just also nice to see a random 30 year old with limited life experience manage to do something as well!)
Moderate: Slavery, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Child death, Torture, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Body horror, Death, Animal death, and Abortion
mishmoshroom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Child death, Torture, Animal death, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infertility, Murder, and Grief
sarahholliday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I can see why this won the Hugo for best novel last year—it just feels like a perfect book. It doesn't get caught up in the minutia of the story. If you like to have every corner of a world explored and explained, or all the facets of a magic system laid out for you, I don't know that this is the book for you. I personally love when an author exercises restraint and editorial prerogative when it comes to deciding what they'll reveal to readers. It requires trust in their vision of the story—they tell us what we need to know and nothing more.
Instead of getting caught up in the details of how exactly Marra brings Bonedog to life or THE THING WITH THE INNKEEPER MY GOD, we're allowed to focus on the gradual, quiet ways Marra grows. Her movement from willful isolation to deep-seated connection, from fear and shame around what she hasn't done to confidence in her accomplishments. Along the way we get to enjoy the wit and wisdom of the dust-wife and Agnes, as well as the steady presence of Fenris. I loved that we got to watch his sense of duty and honor evolve as he traveled with the women and discovered a renewed interest in life.
The levity and brightness of the story are punctuated with moments of genuine horror and brutality, which helps the entire story feel balanced. Overall, this was just such a pleasurable reading experience.
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy, Murder, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cannibalism and Abortion
earofthedog's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Body horror
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Body horror, Death, Pregnancy, Confinement, Violence, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War, Child death, Murder, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
helfire124'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Animal death, Blood, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, War, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Vomit
xwiththevex's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Pregnancy, Body horror, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Slavery, Blood, Classism, Confinement, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Child death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
uranaishi's review
- 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? No
4.0
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Murder, Grief, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Abortion, Blood, Slavery, Violence, Confinement, Dementia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, and War
micaelamariem's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Physical abuse, Animal death, Child death, Death, Murder, Classism, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Violence