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wayward_sister's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Minor: Rape, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Gore, Addiction, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Confinement, Body horror, Bullying, War, Violence, Torture, Alcohol, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Death, Racism, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
audiem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Sexual harassment, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, War, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Ableism, Abandonment, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Murder, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Colonisation and Xenophobia
Minor: Homophobia
merlionne'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
4.5
I loved the mythological aspects of the world, even though I don't know a lot about the actual people and their stories they're referencing. The only thing that bothered me a bit is that all the secrets that get unveiled are kind of ....eh? It's not a bad thing, maybe from a modern perspective they're a lot less shocking or it's a lot easier for me to expect something like that to be the case, but ultimately it works within the story and I'll read the next book because I want to see how Zetian blows up some more bastards.
Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Blood, Violence, Sexism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and War
Moderate: Grief, Racism, Confinement, Death, Bullying, Colonisation, Classism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Body shaming
Minor: Body shaming, Sexual assault, Excrement, Rape, Infidelity, Biphobia, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Vomit, Physical abuse, Animal death, and Sexual violence
Even though it gets talked about etc, there are no detailed descriptions of sexual assault or other sexual violence. The book also includes a list of the biggest trigger warnings in the beginning, a lot of what I added here is in there somehow but for the most cases not overly detailed, extensive or dwelled upon.daenarvelaryon1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The writing style is a bit sloppy, unrefined and needs to be worked on. The dialogue was occassionally incredibly cringy. The message of the story could have been handled and presented in a better, subtler way. And don't even get me started on the ending (felt like the publisher basically forced the author into writing a sequel). Xiran also needs to start showing things instead of telling.
If I had to compare the story to an already existing work, it really felt like an average fanfiction from AO3 or Wattpad (I have no doubt that Xiran has experience with writing fanfiction and it shows in the book too). If that works for you, then you will very likely enjoy the story.
I really wanted to like this book because I love Xiran's content. Ultimately, it was a fun ride, but I would not recommend this book for someone looking for a high quality story.
Graphic: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Death, Emotional abuse, War, Alcohol, Drug use, Drug abuse, Torture, Body shaming, Bullying, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Classism, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Racism, Xenophobia, and Rape
caitlinemccann'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: Alcohol, Violence, Addiction, Gaslighting, Sexism, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Death, Torture, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Bullying, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Gun violence, Rape, Racism, and Confinement
Minor: Biphobia
mcnemesis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming and Bullying
prettiestwhistles'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, War, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Violence, Murder, and Confinement
Moderate: Mental illness, Gun violence, Blood, Classism, Ableism, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Death of parent, Racism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Domestic abuse
mothman19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: War, Alcohol, Death, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, Body shaming, Murder, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping, Medical content, Animal death, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
aridette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Gaslighting, Genocide, Abortion, Addiction, Antisemitism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Ableism, Classism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Violence
ireadqueerbooks'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: Classism, Death of parent, Genocide, Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, War, Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders