Scan barcode
linnaboobooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
The execution and development of the story was lacking still by the end - where it could very well have been a novella with amount of information it contained if you took out roughly half of the sexual content and drug usage.
And because of how much of the mentioned above existed, there was very little relationship explored outside of the sexual nature. Perhaps in the "first" lifetime and a little bit of the "second", yet nothing to grasp onto to feel any particular way about the couple when tragedy strikes. Rape was used to show us the readers that certain characters were the villains in that (first and second) timeline, when there were plenty of other ways to do that - such as their other actions. One of the times was extremely unexpectedly dropped into the second timeline that I was ready to throw the book if it weren't a library copy.
I love reincarnation / 'find you in another lifetime' kind of plots, they're usually intriguing with their mix of history between characters and the setting, emotions flooding through the characters when the past comes to meet the present. Tugging at readers' heartstrings. Sadly that didn't happen here for me.
The entirety of this book feels like a concept, a good one, but when put to execution, the author struggled or outright chose to keep it lacking in substance on purpose. For a debut author, I think he did alright with what he put out but I can't praise it the way I've seen other readers do.
Graphic: Drug use, Rape, Sexual content, Drug abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
city_girl_writer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
- Fantasy = reincarnation in an endless loop like a curse
- Romance = multiple love stories throughout time
- Thriller = wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next with outside forces getting in the way of these love stories
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Drug use
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, Gore, and Rape
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
phua_jieying's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Drug use and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Cancer
justinekorson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This was a very surprising story. Told in three POV's (the same POV's?? they're the same souls who keep being reincarnated) this was an incredible read that blended different timelines into one. I was excited and anxious to read each new part. I enjoyed trying to connect their past lives with their present lives before the story itself told us who was who. (I still ended up being wrong though). I was so intrigued by each chapter and wept a little over its very sad end. I had so much hope for River and Joey in their present life but apparently it wasn't meant to be. I also felt really bad for Calvin in this story who sounded like a really good person who genuinely loved River.
I know this isn't the final version of the book and that the actual final draft is much longer so I'm excited to read the physical book (which I've already bought a copy of) and meet the author (I'm going to do this at an event soon). I'm going to have so much fun reading over the story again and I can't wait!!
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, Blood, Body horror, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Animal death, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Gaslighting
izzyrbell's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Drug use
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Animal death, Mental illness, and Death of parent
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Told from three perspectives, we see the characters journey through three reincarnations with you guessing a bit on who's who and why. With masterful storytelling, the narrative is addictive and heady, fitting the toxicity and greediness of the romances well.
I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that this story was fast-paced, full of both budding romance and toxic love, a little mysterious, and a bit magical. Some character arcs surprised and dazzled me, while others felt like a betrayal (in the best kinds of ways). This book didn't feel like a debut, especially because of the writing. The Emperor and the Endless Palace is so well-crafted, and the stories so intricately tied to each other, that you won't want to look away!
TW: sexual content, death, injury detail, alcohol consumption, infidelity, sexual assault, drug use, drug abuse, homophobia, animal death (not dog), ableism; mentions rape, death of a parent, cancer, vomit
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
eBook gifted via Edelweiss by MIRA via HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Drug use, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Ableism, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit and Alcoholism
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, and Rape
ezwolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was a fun surprise to realize this was based on the origin of the term “cut sleeve”. It isn’t mentioned in the synopsis but a scene about halfway through made me realize and subsequently Google it.
I loved how each incarnation of River and Joey were so different but also so similar. The whole idea of, I loved you (was betrayed by you) so much that we’re reborn over and over, repeating our story, trying to right a wrong. River's sister was a fantastic character and even though the focus of the story was on River and Joey, I would have loved to have seen more of her.
I think my biggest grievance was with the sex scenes. Sex scenes are not a problem on their own, but I felt like they were the worst written parts. Most of the scenes in the first half of the book seemed kind of unintentionally comical to me and continuously and abruptly brought me out of the story. There's a definite tone shift that happens about midway through and they lose the comical edge, but that only helped a little.
I highly recommend checking content warnings for this book. It just skirted the edge of what I am okay reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Graphic: Blood, Death, Sexual content, Classism, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Body horror, Mental illness, and Animal death
Minor: Abandonment, Ableism, Medical content, Death of parent, Vomit, and Cancer