Scan barcode
lucybmn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Frick.
Okay. A lot of this was very slow. I know and appreciate that it was intentional, because this was all just setup for the main event. But it did make the reading experience somewhat arduous. Hence the half star off.
But everything else about it was absolutely incredible.
The worldbuilding especially was fabulous. She explained everything, from the magic, to international relations, to local history, to the religion, to the favorite sport. And none of it felt unnatural or ham-fisted. An absolute masterclass in worldbuilding and exposition.
I wouldn't say I'm attached to any of the characters just yet, but I'm very much interested in them, and they are well-rounded and feel very real. The same with the relationships between them.
I've never really been interested in mafia type stories, so, while I believed everyone saying this series rocks, I was a bit skeptical of whether it would work for me. It definitely was something new that I had to get used to, and I often struggled to understand what the point of it all is, it was done so well that it still hooked me.
I'm all in! I've heard that the series only goes up from here, so let's gooooo!!!
Okay. A lot of this was very slow. I know and appreciate that it was intentional, because this was all just setup for the main event. But it did make the reading experience somewhat arduous. Hence the half star off.
But everything else about it was absolutely incredible.
The worldbuilding especially was fabulous. She explained everything, from the magic, to international relations, to local history, to the religion, to the favorite sport. And none of it felt unnatural or ham-fisted. An absolute masterclass in worldbuilding and exposition.
I wouldn't say I'm attached to any of the characters just yet, but I'm very much interested in them, and they are well-rounded and feel very real. The same with the relationships between them.
I've never really been interested in mafia type stories, so, while I believed everyone saying this series rocks, I was a bit skeptical of whether it would work for me. It definitely was something new that I had to get used to, and I often struggled to understand what the point of it all is, it was done so well that it still hooked me.
I'm all in! I've heard that the series only goes up from here, so let's gooooo!!!
aminayuy's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Soooo many characters! Would recommend using the character guide to keep everything straight
lostkairos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jezebe11e's review against another edition
I just wasn't into it. No shade to the writing style or anything else, it just wasn't grabbing my interest.
bookgrrrlsclub's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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 world building of this story is SO RICH!!!! it’s so lived in and truly one of the most amazing qualities of this book. the characters are fully fleshed out and the fight scenes make me feel like i’m watching a movie. truly well done
kwmcm25's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
issianne's review against another edition
4.0
This one was not easy to get through. There were a couple times when I wanted to DNF, but I pushed through and I'm glad I did. The characters and their motives filled out more as the story went, and the world and magic made more sense when the story got its bearings. I definitely had high hopes for this one and was slightly disappointed, but I also realize I'm not exactly the biggest politically-driven book reader. Once I finally understood the politics and inner-workings of this world, I enjoyed myself a lot more. There was a plot twist in this that I 1000000% did not see coming and I was shook. In my book, that definitely adds points.
krumanda's review against another edition
3.0
By rights, this should be a 4-star review. I hold back because it is dark, violent, the characters are not all experiencing happy endings lol my reviews are personal preference, not necessarily a reflection of quality. This book was so well done.
chasecain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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