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readwithde'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
4.75
This group of characters seem rare to me; they aren't heroes or even fighting for their own survival, but they are survivors. It's refreshing to have morally grey characters, to have greedy and selfish characters, to have a life of riches and luxury and freedom be the goal and reward. It honestly felt like a well-played D&D game with lots of pitfalls and personal stakes.
There are so many obstacles and villains in the story; it's fun to watch them choose, to prioritize what the biggest threat is, and knowing that it is different for each of them for their own reasons. The constant shuffle of plans and priorities adds extra tension that keeps the midsection of the book relevant and interesting.
My only complaint is the preface; it tries to do too much. A shorter, more focused POV would help set the stage, theme, and mood much better, especially as most of the information is repeated in the first few chapters. Despite that misstep, this is a fun read with hidden depth and very real, human characters.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Confinement, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Addiction
li_reading'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
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Gun violence, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Confinement, Death, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Trafficking, Blood, Grief, and Vomit
Minor: Religious bigotry, Excrement, Slavery, and Torture
nat_in_the_hat'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: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Trafficking, Slavery, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Vomit, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Death
alexander_pendragon'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: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Addiction, Violence, Vomit, Trafficking, Slavery, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Moderate: Cultural appropriation
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
archer_w27'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: Gore, Violence, Genocide, Murder, Blood, Death, Gun violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, Addiction, and Slavery
Minor: Vomit
bennispizza'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence