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rmperezpadilla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Vomit, and War
Moderate: Ableism
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
The mix of perspectives was a little hard to get used to at first, especially on audiobook. I think a full cast version of this audiobook would’ve helped.
The anonymous “you” who the book is addressed to was very interesting character to me, since they seem to be generic enough that anyone might be able to project onto them.
This is a common complaint for me, but I wished we delved a bit deeper into the characters’ emotions and motivations. The character I felt like I had the most insight on was the second terror which was awful because he’s, of course, terrible.
I also felt like something was missing in the portrayal of women. It’s not that they weren’t a part of the story—they are—but their characters just fell flat at times.
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: War
Minor: Homophobia and Excrement
yilliun's review against another edition
Moderate: War
miss_elease's review against another edition
4.5
- so many gorgeously constructed sentences depicting both beautifully human and horrendously human moments
- interesting mythos told in a “box within a box within a box” narrative that i personally enjoyed and thought was a sensible manifestation of some of the book’s themes regarding interconnectedness and mutual influence of time’s subjects
- would re-read even if just for the sake of revisiting some beautiful words
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, and War
Minor: Child death
skypes'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
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Cannibalism, and War
wishbea's review
2.0
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide
kaneebli'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: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Police brutality, and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Excrement, Vomit, and Kidnapping
rorikae'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
The story shifts between a play being put on in an drowned theater and the tale that is being performed all within the frame narrative of a young boy dealing with family issues. In a fantastical land, the emperor is preparing to make a pilgrimage to search for immortality. An act of violence the night before he leaves sets off a series of events that ripple out from the palace and ensnares two young men, one a soldier working at a gate and the other fleeing his past. As the men travel together to complete tasks that have been set for them, they grow closer to each other and the world that surrounds them.
Jimenez creates a dazzling fantasy filled with evocative prose, compelling characters, and a lush world. The play between the characters watching the performed story and the actual events being performed weave well together to create a story that goes far beyond both singular places. Jimenez perfectly fits the story to a single novel and everything feels well resolved at the end. Action moments are well choreographed and balance well with the tender moments of heart that fill the story. Honestly, I can't say enough good things about it. This book was pure magic and I am already considering Jimenez a favorite author. I'm excited to check out their first book and the books they publish in the future.
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse and Blood
Minor: Sexual content and War
scurvotron's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Gore, Blood, and War
Minor: Alcoholism
charlieeee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Cursing, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Alcohol