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the_rolypoly_man'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
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Genocide, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Animal death, Child death, Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Domestic abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Classism, Death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Physical abuse
noellegrace8'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
Also. Winter & Jacin > everyone else. I freaking love them.
Winter's story also has the most clever parallels to her fairytale as well (in my humble opinion). Cinder is a close second, but I think Winter's story is a lot more exciting.
The revolution is a bit challenging, as it (understandably) has to wrap up every bit of convoluted plot line and can be a bit anxiety-inducing. Sometimes you genuinely feel that the characters are about to die and/or lose.
The last chapters are done in the way of the movie version of the Return of the King - where we get to see each person's ending. It is a bit saccharine, but in the perfect way that modern fairy tales are.
I was glad to see Cress & Thorne finally be solid. It was frustrating to read their back-and-forth in book 3, but there are some PERFECTLY written scenes between the two of them in this one. Also, can I just say that I love the mild allusion to other versions of Rapunzel? Like how Thorne stabs Cress in the side just like Mother Gothel stabs Flynn in Tangled?
I did struggle a bit when it was revealed that Levana has a disfigured face. Mostly because I don't understand how cyborgs are a reality but plastic surgery isn't? But more than that, it seemed like a weak/frustrating plot device, one that goes against the whole idea of Snow White (that the Evil Queen *is* in fact gorgeous on the outside, but can't understand that her *heart* is ugly). Still not anything worth docking stars for.
Seriously. So. Good.
I don't factor audiobook narrators' performances into my overall star rating, but I would give Rebecca Soler a 4.25/5 for this one. As previously stated in my other reviews of books 1-3, I got used to her slightly different voices and grew to appreciate them, especially certain characters. There were still some pieces that should have been re-recorded due to minor errors, but again, that feels like it should be on whoever did the mixing and production. But the one thing that really made me dock that .75 this time was Winter's voice. She is voiced like a baby, and it was grating on my ears. I also don't appreciate the infantilization of a character who is 17 with a love interest who is 19. It just feels icky. I think she could have come across as "crazy" yet "alluring" and "innocent" without being voiced as a child.
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, Classism, Blood, Gaslighting, Body horror, Death, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Grief, Animal cruelty, Slavery, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, Animal death, Murder, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Cannibalism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Torture, Xenophobia, Medical content, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Grief, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Child death, Genocide, Sexual violence, and Adult/minor relationship
historyguru2007'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
4.25
Graphic: Murder
melissaslibraryy'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
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Gore, Medical trauma, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Body horror, Confinement, Torture, Murder, and War
laneelizabeth'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? No
5.0
Incorporating Adri and Pearl back into the story was seamless and so important to the ending. I didn't see it coming and I had no idea where she was going with it, but boy did she make it work!
Getting Levana's point of view more often in this book, especially after "Fairest" really solidifies the dislike for her character and we can see how twisted her thinking is and how delusional she is even from her own point of view.
I am glad that in the end, the revolution became as much Winter's as Cinder's. She deserved it so much. And I am glad that we got to see Cinder and Levana finally have a civil conversation (even if it didn't end very well). Also, we all knew Cinder was a great leader- we saw it- but now shes proven to be an amazing ruler as well, and especially because she's not afraid to be new at it. She's okay with asking for help and i think that is really important for someone who didn't grow up royal i think the people will respect her more for it.
Working Émilie back into the story was such a thoughtful touch that Im really glad she added.
I didn't want this story to end. I want to stay in this little fictional world. Also, with someone who has a chronic illness that has complicated so many things in my life, I really feel that this is one fantasy world I could survive in (if only with the support from the Rampion crew)
Now. Mrs. Meyer. I need a novella for Iko and Kinney to fall in love as well. Please and Thank you
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Mass/school shootings, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Self harm, Slavery, War, Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, Classism, Murder, and Suicide attempt
amschelly153'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? No
4.0
Moderate: Gaslighting, Classism, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Death, War, and Grief
tania_mybookishsecret'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Animal death, Blood, Murder, War, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Body horror, Torture, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic and Rape
caeliaucoin'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: Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Torture, Suicide, Medical trauma, Animal death, and Suicide attempt
localogophile's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Murder, and War
Moderate: Classism
novelnerd_11'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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, War, Death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gun violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury