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spookynerd00's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I thought the concept was beautiful, but I found the plot too rushed. The description made me think there would be more More rebellion and actually plotting by both Remi and Cadence . I found Remi a little annoying, and Cadence was alright but I did not love her. The romance was cute but could have been more developed in my opinion. And the ending was even more rushed than the rest of it.
Itβs an interesting world and enjoyed reading about it, but the world and magic system were the best part.
Itβs an interesting world and enjoyed reading about it, but the world and magic system were the best part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Torture, and Grief
Minor: Abortion and Fatphobia
caidyn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
I've been excited about this book since I started hearing about it. A dark, queer story about magic and breaking out of an abusive realm? Sounds fantastic. It fell a bit short of my expectations, but it was still a good read. I'm not quite sure exactly what I expected, but I felt that the book could have used a bit more polishing. Such as, with the worldbuilding and pacing. At times it was an infodump and that really jacked with the pacing. Still, it's a good standalone fantasy that I would gladly revisit one day!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion
valpuri's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I was excited to read this, but sadly the book just fell flat towards the end and I struggled to finish it. I'm so disappointed that I can only give this one 2/5 stars.
The concept of magic that is sung and a romance between two women that are on opposite sides of a rebellion are what convinced me to pick up this book, but it just didn't really deliver on either of those. There is very little world-building or character development, and the latter half of the book feels very rushed. :( The first half of the book is pretty good and promising... I just wish that there was something more to the end.
The concept of magic that is sung and a romance between two women that are on opposite sides of a rebellion are what convinced me to pick up this book, but it just didn't really deliver on either of those. There is very little world-building or character development, and the latter half of the book feels very rushed. :( The first half of the book is pretty good and promising... I just wish that there was something more to the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Medical content, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Chronic illness, Grief, and Vomit
mushr00mcore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
At least the sapphic romance was handled well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Homophobia
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In a world where magic is sung, a powerful mage named Cadence has been forced to torture her country's disgraced nobility at her ruthless queen's bidding. But when she is reunited with her childhood friend, a noblewoman with ties to the underground rebellion, she must finally make a choice: Take a stand to free their country from oppression, or follow in the queenβs footsteps and become a monster herself. π
β’
What I liked:
π Queer PHANTOM OF THE OPERA retelling? Yes, please!
π I loved the magic system here. I loved the idea of singing to marshal your magic, and that you could tell a lot about the mage by their voice.
π Such wonderful imagery, from the beauty of the Queen's stronghold to the horrors of the region where those expelled from the court are sent.
π The tension between the protagonists felt real - it wasn't insta-love, but also the barriers they faced weren't just pointless roadblocks. π
β’
What I didn't like:
π It's a pretty basic YA dystopia setup. This isn't necessarily a knock on the book, just something to know going in.
π I do wish some pieces of the world's history and nuances of the magic system were more detailed - I could tell there was more in the author's brain that didn't make it into the book. π
β’
Content warnings: alcoholism, blood, death, homophobia (mild), physical abuse, torture, violence, and vomit.
β’
What I liked:
π Queer PHANTOM OF THE OPERA retelling? Yes, please!
π I loved the magic system here. I loved the idea of singing to marshal your magic, and that you could tell a lot about the mage by their voice.
π Such wonderful imagery, from the beauty of the Queen's stronghold to the horrors of the region where those expelled from the court are sent.
π The tension between the protagonists felt real - it wasn't insta-love, but also the barriers they faced weren't just pointless roadblocks. π
β’
What I didn't like:
π It's a pretty basic YA dystopia setup. This isn't necessarily a knock on the book, just something to know going in.
π I do wish some pieces of the world's history and nuances of the magic system were more detailed - I could tell there was more in the author's brain that didn't make it into the book. π
β’
Content warnings: alcoholism, blood, death, homophobia (mild), physical abuse, torture, violence, and vomit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
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