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delvie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
My feelings on this book are extremely similar to my feelings on Holly Black's debut adult novel: the critiques hold up. It IS slow. It IS boring.
I called the first half of the twist shockingly early along; I don't think that's due to me being clever so much as it being obvious. That being said, the second half of the twist wasn't so much of a twist as it was a lore dump. Books with mysteries that don't give the reader everything they need to solve them aren't mysteries so much as messy. And the plot threads that are left after the initial murder is solved are tied up by some piece of lore neither you or the main character had an idea about. It's supposed to be this mic drop "oh shit" moment that puts you onto the sequels, but I was left feeling annoyed that I had wasted energy trying to solve something that I couldn't have solved. It's not clever; it's not a trick question- it's annoying and poor writing.
Alex is extremely dry as a character. I couldn't tell you a thing about her that isn't her aesthetic or her trauma. Same goes for every other character in this book, unfortunately.
Check the trigger warnings; I don't think having to read/listen to the graphic scenes were worth what I got out of this book in ANY stretch of the imagination. I won't be reading the sequel.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Excrement, Racism, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol and Vomit
mari_lit'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Rape, Blood, Sexism, Cursing, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
heyjude1600's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, Drug use, Gore, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction
pamgrace18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Sexism, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, and Domestic abuse
loganjana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Here’s a warning, though; it’s not at all escapist fantasy. In fact, the fantasy element of the story was fairly muted. I really like that, but I was surprised by it and I imagine some people would be upset by it. I, personally, loved that she blatantly addressed a lot of issues that are often only alluded to in fantasy, if they’re addressed at all (sexism, racism, classism).
Also, I didn’t expect ghosts? I dunno if I missed that somewhere in the marketing or blip but that wasn’t at all what I thought I was in for. Not mad about it, just surprised.
That being said, the magic system is a little confusing. I’m still not really sure how it works, but I think the idea is that most of the characters don’t know how it works. What I did really like was the way it was used, and the motivation for using magic as a way to gain wealth is really unique.
Overall, if you’re looking for dark academia with a dash of magic and ghosties, this is right up your alley.
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Gore, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was not at all what I expected. I wanted to go in knowing as little as possible. I knew that this book is adult but I didn't expect it to as graphic as it was. I really liked the premise and the characters and also the mystery of it all. Just because of her writing I automatically like the book.
I do have a few issues with it though:
1. Alex's motives didn't always make sense to me. Why was she so adamant on solving Taras murder? She didn't know her, everyone told her that it was the boyfriend, even after she broke into the morgue it was clear it was the boyfriend. I just didn't understand why she would go further and further. At a certain point it was clear that there is more behind it than we thought but I do not understand why and how Alex knew that?
2. Also I felt like all side characters were just there for convenience. Especially Alex's roommates. They are so unconditionally loyal to her for seemingly no reason? I mean that is not how it usually is at uni right? Like it would make sense for them to ask her why she's never at home but not to a degree where she constantly has to come up with fake reasons & apologies, right? I wanted a bit more interaction and reason there so it actually makes sense for them to call her mum. (The thing with Brady 100% made sense though. He's a shit and deserves only the worst)
3. That might be on me, but I didn't understand the worldbuilding fully. I think it was on purpose that the big questions like 'why is there magic?' and 'where does it come from?' are unanswered. But I didn't understand the limits of the magic. It's clear that it best works in the tombs and not really anywhere else, but also things like the coin of compulsion work everywhere? And spells can be cast that influence the wider world as well? Idk I'm just a bit confused about that. Also I want to know how noone actually found out outside of the societies. How do they keep the secret?
I think I had way more questions but these are the most important ones. I am definitely going to read 'Hellbent' but if I'm being honest I'm in no hurry. Maybe I'll even wait until all (5?) books are out. The story was intruiging but it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. (Even though I love mystery, magic, university settings, academia and secret societies in books.. ?)
What I loved about the book was all the intruige and mystery. The connections weren't always completely clear to me but that didn't take away from it being fun. I wish we got to see a bit more magic and a bit less trauma but that is only my opinion. I bet for some people this was perfect.
Generally I would anyone to please read the trigger warnings for this book. There are a lot and they are really graphic as well.
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Cursing, Death, Sexism, Vomit, and Xenophobia
nenya'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, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Drug use, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Trafficking, Adult/minor relationship, Xenophobia, and Gun violence
takarakei'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
I'm so glad I decided to reread this prior to the sequel coming out. I enjoyed it even more than the first time. I remembered the basic plotline, but forgot a lot of the details, which allowed me to just awe at the way Bardugo weaves the story together. So many crumbs throughout this book that are left for not only the main mystery of this book, but more for the future of the series. Also listened to the audiobook at the same time which was very well done. Bardugo also does an interview with the narrator at the end (audiobook)!
Original Review Sept 2022:
If you like dark academia and murder mysteries this book is for you!
This book is wild! One of my reading notes was literally "wtf am I reading"? A murder mystery unlike any I've ever read. Will keep you guessing til the end. So many twists and turns. The MC Alex is badass but flawed and realistic. She is constantly underestimated and totally not given enough credit for how badass she is.
This is a very dark book. A lot of bad things happen, please check CW/TW!!
I'm curious to see where the sequel will go, it sounds like potentially in a different direction based on the ending.
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Classism, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism, Racial slurs, and Alcohol
Institutional racism.rebeccajost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
katielaine_w's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Cursing, Sexual violence, Rape, Gore, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Mental illness, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse