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montigneyrules's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
#readingchallenge2023 (my book set in the 80s (1880s haha))
A strong start, I was intrigued by so much potential within the premise-the character’s & their abilities, the elements of the tournament, and the performances per challenge-but the overall world & its expanding complexity lost me. Granted I did enjoy the historical fiction time period element- the distracted writing lost me. (especially when realizing the novel was a series- making me cringe, as I realized so much would be drag on)-
Just when I felt hooked, I was then immediately confused & the hook fell loose. I never really connected to any aspect within the story because the chaos- when characters had a strength- they then faded- when the pacing was slow- then suddenly too much happened at once-
The story attempted to be character drive, but the multi-layered plot prevented a strong character development-some characters I struggled to understand their purpose, their twists, and the interactions & relationships between were presented but never really connected.
I didn’t mind the novel’s gore-or darkness-it was merely the execution that felt apart-maybe shorten edit- then leave it as a series- but I can’t imagine reading 3 500+pages of underdeveloped characters & plots. I’m going to try to wiki the next two plotlines, learn ending without reading, & move on.
A strong start, I was intrigued by so much potential within the premise-the character’s & their abilities, the elements of the tournament, and the performances per challenge-but the overall world & its expanding complexity lost me. Granted I did enjoy the historical fiction time period element- the distracted writing lost me. (especially when realizing the novel was a series- making me cringe, as I realized so much would be drag on)-
Just when I felt hooked, I was then immediately confused & the hook fell loose. I never really connected to any aspect within the story because the chaos- when characters had a strength- they then faded- when the pacing was slow- then suddenly too much happened at once-
The story attempted to be character drive, but the multi-layered plot prevented a strong character development-some characters I struggled to understand their purpose, their twists, and the interactions & relationships between were presented but never really connected.
I didn’t mind the novel’s gore-or darkness-it was merely the execution that felt apart-maybe shorten edit- then leave it as a series- but I can’t imagine reading 3 500+pages of underdeveloped characters & plots. I’m going to try to wiki the next two plotlines, learn ending without reading, & move on.
ratcousin's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
An explosive start to a series that is so inventive and creative and unique and everything I could ever want. I feel like having a character that can't die would typically make the steaks hard to care about, but since the end of all things is quickly approaching our mc, that isn't really an issue here. One thing I will say is that as much as I enjoyed both of the love interests, it feels quite obvious who the mc will end up with in the end. I feel like if you're gonna do a love triangle there should actually be a question of "who will she end up with?????"
optimisticbooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
3 ⭐
I'm in love with this cover. I picked it up from my local library just because of the cover but once i read the synopsis it sounded right up my alley. I didn't connect with it unfortunately. I think the writing was beautiful but it was very hard for me to get into it. It did kind of read like a classic novel (which is totally fine, just the vibes) awesome concept for a YA fantasy
I'm in love with this cover. I picked it up from my local library just because of the cover but once i read the synopsis it sounded right up my alley. I didn't connect with it unfortunately. I think the writing was beautiful but it was very hard for me to get into it. It did kind of read like a classic novel (which is totally fine, just the vibes) awesome concept for a YA fantasy
elyse12's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
montigneyrules's review against another edition
2.0
#readingchallenge2023 (my book set in the 80s (1880s haha))
A strong start, I was intrigued by so much potential within the premise-the character’s & their abilities, the elements of the tournament, and the performances per challenge-but the overall world & its expanding complexity lost me. Granted I did enjoy the historical fiction time period element- the distracted writing lost me. (especially when realizing the novel was a series- making me cringe, as I realized so much would be drag on)-
Just when I felt hooked, I was then immediately confused & the hook fell loose. I never really connected to any aspect within the story because the chaos- when characters had a strength- they then faded- when the pacing was slow- then suddenly too much happened at once-
The story attempted to be character drive, but the multi-layered plot prevented a strong character development-some characters I struggled to understand their purpose, their twists, and the interactions & relationships between were presented but never really connected.
I didn’t mind the novel’s gore-or darkness-it was merely the execution that felt apart-maybe shorten edit- then leave it as a series- but I can’t imagine reading 3 500+pages of underdeveloped characters & plots. I’m going to try to wiki the next two plotlines, learn ending without reading, & move on.
A strong start, I was intrigued by so much potential within the premise-the character’s & their abilities, the elements of the tournament, and the performances per challenge-but the overall world & its expanding complexity lost me. Granted I did enjoy the historical fiction time period element- the distracted writing lost me. (especially when realizing the novel was a series- making me cringe, as I realized so much would be drag on)-
Just when I felt hooked, I was then immediately confused & the hook fell loose. I never really connected to any aspect within the story because the chaos- when characters had a strength- they then faded- when the pacing was slow- then suddenly too much happened at once-
The story attempted to be character drive, but the multi-layered plot prevented a strong character development-some characters I struggled to understand their purpose, their twists, and the interactions & relationships between were presented but never really connected.
I didn’t mind the novel’s gore-or darkness-it was merely the execution that felt apart-maybe shorten edit- then leave it as a series- but I can’t imagine reading 3 500+pages of underdeveloped characters & plots. I’m going to try to wiki the next two plotlines, learn ending without reading, & move on.
flori_pop's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
tallulahchanel's review
I was enjoying this book until it made me uncomfortable. I really do think this was a good book, just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
pristineparasite's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
don't think I'll continue the series. it had some genuinely horrific things hinted at happening in it. the end just didn't really make me want to finish the story.
namaenani's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0