Scan barcode
imaginingly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
straight up one of the best endings to a book i have ever read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Classism, Violence, and Grief
abby_can_read's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
January 2024-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📱
I enjoyed this book. I liked the writing style and the plot kept me engaged. Overall, I liked the characters and their relationships.
October 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I liked this book. The ending had me wanting the sequel.
📱
I enjoyed this book. I liked the writing style and the plot kept me engaged. Overall, I liked the characters and their relationships.
October 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I liked this book. The ending had me wanting the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Suicide
Minor: Animal cruelty
ali_k0's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
One of the most unique settings I've ever read. A city entirely surrounded by a violent storm. The world building is unlike any I've read before. It's intricate yet easy to follow, and all but vibrated off the page.
It's a quick read if that's what you're looking for, but grips your throat on the first page and never lets go. Revolution, possession, plots, spies, secret histories and more.
Also, this book has one of the most memorable and believable enemies to lovers arcs I've read in a while.
It's a quick read if that's what you're looking for, but grips your throat on the first page and never lets go. Revolution, possession, plots, spies, secret histories and more.
Also, this book has one of the most memorable and believable enemies to lovers arcs I've read in a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Classism
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Violence, Grief, and Blood
erks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Torture, Death, Blood, and Confinement
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This fucking book, okay?
I'm an unfortunate sucker for the chosen one girl in a YA trope (thank you, Katniss) and this one really hammers that into you.
1. Vesper (like even the name, come on!!)
2. lives in an area affected by The Storm, and her Region™️ is the last one on the outskirts closest to it, and it's the poorest region.
3. she's not trained in the Magic System™️ but she loves it
4. there's a rich boy who takes pity on her bc of something having to do with the Government™️
5. she has a family tie that creates a vengeance arc so she finds her way to the Capital™️
7. circumstances arise that lead to her working with the rich boy (she thinks that maybe she underestimated him)
8. they're thrown into the Gauntlet™️
9. Alliances are formed and broken, promises are stretched thin, betrayals - how could I ever love someone like You™️?
10. One of them either dies/falls into a coma and the last thing they see is their Enemy?™️
It's like, everything that is tired and we're supposed to hate. BUT- Truly I'm not sure if I'm just, like, giving the book more grace than it's due. BUT-
I think I always give more leeway to a first book, knowing that the author likely has planned arcs over the multiples rather than the individual, so I wanted to suspend my belief, y'know? I didn't mind the questions I had about the magic system, or the politics, etc. I felt like this book very intentionally only gave us the pieces that were given to Vesper. We're *supposed* to feel a little lost in a world we don't fully understand, because that's how Vesper feels in the Ven. I found myself tabbing something as important, then coming across a related thing and running back to the note like, proud of myself that I had called it. It was rewarding to piece things together with Vesper.
I ate up her friendship with the boys,like, so much so that I was in tears at work towards the end of this book . It reminded me of my own friends that I would kill or die for. She was infuriating and rash and impetuous, but she's a 17 year old chosen one! That's her job description.
Something about the writing, the fluidity of the story, drew me in and held me for the two full days it took me to read this. Any time I had to stop reading, I found myself counting the minutes until I could pick it back up. I was fully entranced the entire time. Freaking witchcraft.
I'm an unfortunate sucker for the chosen one girl in a YA trope (thank you, Katniss) and this one really hammers that into you.
1. Vesper (like even the name, come on!!)
2. lives in an area affected by The Storm, and her Region™️ is the last one on the outskirts closest to it, and it's the poorest region.
3. she's not trained in the Magic System™️ but she loves it
4. there's a rich boy who takes pity on her bc of something having to do with the Government™️
5. she has a family tie that creates a vengeance arc so she finds her way to the Capital™️
7. circumstances arise that lead to her working with the rich boy (she thinks that maybe she underestimated him)
8. they're thrown into the Gauntlet™️
9. Alliances are formed and broken, promises are stretched thin, betrayals - how could I ever love someone like You™️?
10. One of them either dies/falls into a coma and the last thing they see is their Enemy?™️
It's like, everything that is tired and we're supposed to hate. BUT- Truly I'm not sure if I'm just, like, giving the book more grace than it's due. BUT-
I think I always give more leeway to a first book, knowing that the author likely has planned arcs over the multiples rather than the individual, so I wanted to suspend my belief, y'know? I didn't mind the questions I had about the magic system, or the politics, etc. I felt like this book very intentionally only gave us the pieces that were given to Vesper. We're *supposed* to feel a little lost in a world we don't fully understand, because that's how Vesper feels in the Ven. I found myself tabbing something as important, then coming across a related thing and running back to the note like, proud of myself that I had called it. It was rewarding to piece things together with Vesper.
I ate up her friendship with the boys,
Something about the writing, the fluidity of the story, drew me in and held me for the two full days it took me to read this. Any time I had to stop reading, I found myself counting the minutes until I could pick it back up. I was fully entranced the entire time. Freaking witchcraft.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, War, Violence, Classism, Grief, Confinement, Blood, and Body horror
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I really didn’t really care for this read, unfortunately. It’s not very helpful but I don’t feel like going further with my explanations as to why. I don’t have anything nice to say other than the concept had possibility.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, War, Blood, and Death of parent
kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Classism, Death, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
asipofcozy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
After many failed attempts at picking up any YA book and enjoying them (I guess YA is just not the IT genre for me anymore), I am happy to say that I actually enjoyed The Darkening by Sunya Mara. It was unique enough to capture my attention, and that was a good thing.
I loved the idea of a storm eating everything in its path and slowly consuming the city year by year. I especially loved the backstory to the story about a Great Queen fleeing from her husband and creating a storm in her wake. It was a unique concept and was done fairly well.
I also found the magic system to be interesting, the ikonomancy. It sort of reminded me of how runes work in the Shadowhunter universe; granted, I know little of those runes, but the concept was fairly the same. It seemed that drawing ikons were an important part of the magic system. Then there was the Wardana, the guardians of the city, that protect them against the monsters that come out of the storm. I can't wait to see more of the magic system developed in the next book.
Finally, applause to the rich and diverse characters and settings. I could imagine many of the settings in this book, the shadows from the dark storm encroaching the streets, the colors and brightness of the higher parts of the city. It was breathtaking in its telling. Also, chef's kiss to the side characters Cas and Izamal. The dynamic and banter between the three Wardana is perfecto!
I did enjoy the main character Vesper. While her naiveness got her into a lot of trouble and she could annoying at times, she was trying to save a father that she loved despite his disappointment in her. She just didn't always think her actions through.
What could have been better/expectations for the next book:
I loved the idea of a storm eating everything in its path and slowly consuming the city year by year. I especially loved the backstory to the story about a Great Queen fleeing from her husband and creating a storm in her wake. It was a unique concept and was done fairly well.
I also found the magic system to be interesting, the ikonomancy. It sort of reminded me of how runes work in the Shadowhunter universe; granted, I know little of those runes, but the concept was fairly the same. It seemed that drawing ikons were an important part of the magic system. Then there was the Wardana, the guardians of the city, that protect them against the monsters that come out of the storm. I can't wait to see more of the magic system developed in the next book.
Finally, applause to the rich and diverse characters and settings. I could imagine many of the settings in this book, the shadows from the dark storm encroaching the streets, the colors and brightness of the higher parts of the city. It was breathtaking in its telling. Also, chef's kiss to the side characters Cas and Izamal. The dynamic and banter between the three Wardana is perfecto!
I did enjoy the main character Vesper. While her naiveness got her into a lot of trouble and she could annoying at times, she was trying to save a father that she loved despite his disappointment in her. She just didn't always think her actions through.
What could have been better/expectations for the next book:
- More worldbuilding - While I understand this YA and I can't expect the intensity of worldbuilding like that in high fantasy, I am hoping for more explanation behind the Great King and Queen as well as how Ikonomancy came to be.
- Dual POV - I believe that The Darkening would have benefitted from dual POV over the singular POV of Vesper that we get the entirety of this book. I think it would have helped with some of the explanations of what was going on.
- Lackluster romance - Okay, so this isn't something I am necessarily upset about. Romance in books isn't my biggest focus anymore. I am glad romance wasn't the focus here; however, it was inserted and was weird at times However, I can see more potential for expanding on this in the next book. I am just glad the MC didn't have an instant-love situation and even acknowledged to herself that while she has growing feelings, her main concern is the storm and her father.
Whelp, that's it! I kinda look forward to the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Death of parent, War, Death, Body horror, and Animal death
starrysteph's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Darkening lives up to its captivating cover art. It’s got a great cast of characters, a clever magic system, and a uniquely terrifying layer of chaos within a living storm.
Our story takes place in a world divided into rings, with the poorest on the outskirts. A living, magical Storm that curses any who touch it threatens the land and has overtaken several of the rings already. We follow teenage Vesper, the daughter of failed revolutionaries who has a strong spirit and desire to save her community. When her father is discovered + captured for his past crimes, Vesper embarks on a journey to infiltrate the royal ring and find a way to save her city.
I found the prose very digestible - I would have absolutely devoured this as a young teenager. It’s simple enough for a young audience to understand, but still incredibly vivid.
The magic of this world is comprised of written ikons; symbols that can be combined and embellished and created by those with a deep knowledge of their building blocks. The integration of magic into the world was so creative and playful; I loved discovering all the nifty ways ikons could be used, whether you’re desperately scratching a symbol into the dirt to save your life or using an incomplete ikon to hide a secret passage or adding a sense of wonder to pastries by using ikons to charm candied decorations to life.
The living Storm was fascinating … a representation of pain and grief and fear, and what happens when you retract into yourself and let rage take over as protection. Everyone who touches or is touched by an element of the Storm is forever changed (cursed) in a way unique to their flaws or secrets.
This is a world of gods, but the only god exacting his power via the current rulers is a dangerous representation of aggressive, toxic masculinity that leaves no room for adaptation.
I found our main character Vesper very likable. She certainly has her flaws, and has a big coming-of-age arc, but she’s determined and witty and clever. I was rooting for her with all my heart & loved her journey of self-discovery and discovering her confidence and power. I also appreciated the complexity of the side characters; they were all so charming in their own ways.
I also enjoyed the elements of political intrigue: what does it mean to be a good ruler (is there such a thing)? We’re witnessing two different perspectives here (Vesper, who lives on the outskirts of society, and the prince in line to become Regia) and they grapple to determine which approach will best serve the needs of their city.
Finally, it’s tough to talk about this without giving too much away, but the backstory of the Storm was delightful. I’m truly looking forward to the sequel (and a bit nervous!).
(And yeah yeah, there’s the start of an enemies to lovers arc if that tickles your fancy.)
CW: death, child death, death of a parent, animal cruelty, classism, confinement, chronic illness, terminal illness, injury, possession, fire/death by fire, suicide, sexism, misogyny, grief
CW: death, child death, death of a parent, animal cruelty, classism, confinement, chronic illness, terminal illness, injury, possession, fire/death by fire, suicide, sexism, misogyny, grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Terminal illness, Sexism, and Misogyny
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Child death, and Torture
More...