Reviews with content warning for Torture - Tithe

I had banned Holly Black because I just couldn't read The Cruel Prince. But after reading this book, I'm thoroughly convinced I just didn't like the narration of The Cruel Prince.

The good:
Roiben and Lutie-Loo. I loved the layers of Roiben, the way he tries to present himself as dangerous when he's actually kind and gentle when he doesn't have to be anything else. I also really loved the way the faeries worked and how they deceived and played with humans. I loved the Kelpie and I desperately need more of deadly water horses! I also really loved the twist at the end. It was such a well placed twist that I hadn't seen coming!

The bad:
The pacing is really strange and suffers from this being the first book by this author. It switches POV in the middle of a chapter for no reason except to explain the reader how the court works. It would have done wonders for the story if there was a chapter that showed Kaye's childhood. Most of the action involving the faeries from her childhood feel superficial because the reader has no reason to care for them.

Overall, I would absolutely read this again!

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annasneddon's review

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

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halfelfschollar's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Most of the spaces I see consumed by fey and fey adjacent characters in modern stories tend to avoid actual weird fucked up fairy shit. And while the main love interest is still technically a pretty person with pointed ears, the inclusion of the other fey in the book more than made up for it. The use of real fey lore in the book was something I really enjoyed as someone who really likes folktales.

While I wouldn't call Kaye an unlikable character she certainly isn't the type of lead that is for everyones tastes. She's not the type of character I relate to but her perspective works for the story at hand and that's why she's a good pick for the story. Her questioning of the world she's now presented with and emotional outbursts make sense for the character we are introduced to, a young girl who's had to grow up far too fast.

This book is heavy on the urban fantasy, so if that's not you're genre this is not the book for you. The book also includes underage drinking and drug use with some sexual content. The age difference between Kaye and Rioben is also something I personally dislike but is also often something inherent in fey stories.

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hollymileham's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

this was okay, just a bit boring. well a lot boring and i didnt really get it a lot of the time, the fantasy elements were really confusing. idk maybe i had high expectations bc of the cruel prince series but i doubt ill read the rest of this series i dont think its for me. was very dark at times :/

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