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wanderingandwondering's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
The only real problem I had with it was the it felt like the author was trying too hard towards the end of the book to have a bunch of "shocking" twists happen. Some of then didn't even make sense, given that the book was told from Kiva's perspective with her thoughts
As always content warnings:
The setting is basically a slave-labor camp, so violence is definitely a thing. There are mentions of sexual assault, drug-like substances, self-harm, and some descriptions of diseases. Ther is also language, a very minor character overdoses, and mentions of same-sex couples in this book so if that's not your cup of tea now you know.
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Sexual violence and Self harm
sarahjacobs1122's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Self harm, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
alexandragriffin's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Torture, Rape, and Death
Moderate: Self harm and Drug abuse
Holocaust, crematoriumsizzy_mckeough's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Self harm, Death, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Medical content
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Police brutality, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Blood
chamaeleontis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The one nit-picky thing was a plot point I personally didn't like, which is why it's 4.75, rather than 5.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves fantasy but is sick of repetitive plots. There's a few common tropes, but they are well done, with unique takes. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Torture, Violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Sexual violence, Drug use, Terminal illness, War, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Animal cruelty, Blood, Ableism, Misogyny, Slavery, Medical content, and Sexism
siannas_second_library'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? No
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, and Torture
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty and War
corabookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
- didn’t require much thought or mind energy to read
- plot was interesting enough
- characters and romance was eh, didn’t feel super connected to them but reading it wasn’t torture
- VERY predictable plot twists
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Medical content, Death of parent, Sexual content, War, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Torture, Rape, Drug use, Death, Blood, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide
smedette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Kiva Meridan is 17 years old and has spent the last decade in Zalindov, the notorious prison of Wenderall Kingdoms. She is the prison's healer, taking up the position after her father's death just a year after their arrival in Zalindov as traitors to the crown. Part of her duties is to assess each new prisoner and carve the letter Z into their hand, to mark them for life.
Then the Rebel Queen is captured and is delivered to Zalindov. She is in no condition to face her Trial by Ordeal, a series of "elemental" challenges (air, fire, water, and earth) and Kiva surprises everyone by agreeing to stand in the Rebel Queen's place.
While Kiva prepares for each challenge, she must also care for onslaught of patients as a mysterious illness begins spreading through the prison. She has very few allies as Kiva has learned to be protective of herself and her feelings, but she must learn to trust people if she is to learn the origin of the illness and survive the Ordeals.
There were a few predictable twists, but just because I knew where something was going didn't mean I didn't enjoy the ride. This book is fast paced and well-written. That last twist (literally the last page) was excellent and is setting up the readers for quite the showdown in the next installment.
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, and Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
khloereads86's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Addiction
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Vomit
julienicole1106's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Child death
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence