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bookrecsplease's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
Still, I came to really fall in love with the characters and Noni did a really good job of introducing lots of different mysteries/questions as the narrative went on, even if most of the answers were obvious to me as an adult reader.
Graphic: Torture, Bullying, and Abandonment
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Self harm
Minor: War, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, and Vomit
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
3.0
oh and that last line...
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Violence, Torture, Blood, Child death, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Death, Self harm, Vomit, Sexual violence, and Drug use
Minor: War
that_awkwardpart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book is about a young girl, that has been in prison for the last 10 years. She is the prison healer, but keeps mostly to herself and stays out of trouble.
A must read. In my opinion.
Graphic: Bullying, Murder, Slavery, Self harm, Death of parent, Grief, Gore, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Child abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Torture, Blood, Sexual assault, and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Murder, Medical content, Police brutality, Self harm, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, War, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Rape, and Sexual assault
prashiie'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
5.0
This might be my favourite read so far this year! The twists, especially those at the end of the book, are amazing. Serious vibes of Hunger Games and Avatar: the last airbender. It is a dark fantasy and whilst some parts were challenging to read and weighed heavily on my mind, there were also other parts that brought a sense of hope.
But please be sure to review the trigger warnings before diving into this book. This might not be suitable for everyone.
Okay, now let’s get to the plot. The story is set in Zalindov, a prison where nobody ever leaves once they’ve entered. The grimm conditions of this prison and the injustice is mind boggling. As if being condemned to die in this prison isn't horrible enough, there are also guards who don’t shy away from violence and use and misuse the prisoners to their liking.
Our main character, Kiva, is the prison healer and has been in Zalindov for 10 years. Her prison job forces her to brand the new prisoners which goes directly against being a healer. But hey, sometimes you’ve got to do things to survive, can't really judge here. Kiva wants to fight for herself, let loose the rebellious fire in her, but she is also smart enough to know how to survive in this prison. She is secretly in communication with her family on the outside and hopes that they will make true of their promise to come for her.
But with the Rebel Queen’s arrival to Zalindov, sick and in no condition to carry out her sentence, Kiva volunteers to take the Rebel Queen’s place and claim the sentence as her own. What in the Hunger Games…!
"My name is Kiva Meridan, and I claim her sentence as my own."
If Kiva manages to survive the Trials of the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth), see and the Rebel Queen are both free to leave the prison! Freedom is waiting.
I really liked to read more about Kiva’s scientific side and the dynamic between her and the other prisoners. She warms up to Naari and Jaren, both of them being new to the prison. She cares a lot about Tipp, I mean it’s impossible to not love this character!!
“The world needs people like him out there in it, shining light into the dark places.”
THE TWISTS IN THIS BOOK ARE BETTER THAN I EXPECTED.
!! Spoilers incoming !!
Jaren is such a sweet person and he has proven on multiple occasions that his heart is in the right place. He’s always there for Kiva, a loyal companion. Yet, I am worried that he will have his heart broken in the next book. I dread to see another version of Cal Calore and Mare Barrow (Red Queen). At least in their case they both knew they were both on opposite sides!
I actually think (and hope) that Kiva wants to be the rebel princess but having to betray Jaren will contradict her feelings for him. While I don’t believe she’s deliberately using Jaren, I guess she will be torn between her destiny and her affection for him. AAAARGH… the politics in this book, secretly brewing in the background and ready to wreak havoc, adds an interesting layer to this story.
Either way, she better not hurt him!
I had a lot of questions and doubts whilst reading this book and for sure I won’t be the only one! Just trust me when I say that the story will make sense in the end.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Bullying, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Torture, Death of parent, Confinement, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Moderate: Rape and Addiction
Minor: Self harm and War
livcashmere's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Addiction, Police brutality, Confinement, Sexual assault, War, Rape, Drug use, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
the_jesus_fandom'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
3.5
There was a bit of discrepancy in Kiva saying she helped everyone cause that was her job, regardless of what they did, but then she refuses to help a guard and actively makes his sickness worse.
My only major grievances: eyes don't have to have stone colours. Just say her eyes are yellow (amber).
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Medical content, War, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Torture
Moderate: Rape, Abandonment, Cursing, Vomit, and Death of parent
mrobin14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Dementia, Gore, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Moderate: Rape, Police brutality, Physical abuse, War, Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Self harm, and Suicide
charthegoose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Medical trauma, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, Abandonment, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Medical content, Slavery, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Grief, and Excrement
msmrkt'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
4.0
Graphic: War, Chronic illness, and Fire/Fire injury
akevaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Graphic: Torture, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, War, Violence, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, and Confinement