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yrioona's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
It took me a long time to get to this book, despite lots of recommendations, because I'm not really a fantasy reader, but I'm so glad I did! The characters are compelling, the worldbuilding is incredibly well thought out, the prose is beautiful, the story is gut-wrenching and suspenseful. NK Jemisin uses her alternate world to explore deep real-world conflicts and anxieties without being heavy-handed or skimping on the details that make this universe feel rich and textured and real. Plus there are canon queer and trans characters! There were a couple plot points that felt too predictable and overly foreshadowed for me, but that didn't stop me from buying the next book in the series the second I finished this one.
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Slavery, Physical abuse, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Genocide, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Mental illness
Minor: Vomit
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