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hue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Though it is sometimes overwritten, and has some typical YA-type writing, there's much more flesh to this story than a lot of the "popular" ones. We have a cast of strong female characters with sisterly bonds. The story is raw, yes, but it's written in a tasteful (if you can say that) way. The topic of misogyny and sexism, as well as the opposite, is so well thought out and well written it feeds the story such a realistic feeling I can totally imagine Otera truly existing somewhere.
I ADORE Deka's and Britta's friendship. They're truly platonic soulmates, and it's so so so lovely that their relationship keeps going strong no matter what. I love that though Deka is strong and divine by her own, she doesn't fear depending on people. Her blood sisters, Britta, Keita, Ixa (who isn't a person but I guess it counts), White Hands. She has a web of people that she can trust, that trust her and comfort her, stand by her side despite all blood they have to go through. It's beautiful!
I wish I would've had this story to read when I was a teen. I would've been so empowered and thrilled to follow Deka along as she fights for what is right and what is wrong. If you can stomach blood and gore, this is a gold mine. What YA should be!
THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE QUEER CHARACTERS AS SIDE CHARACTERS! AS NORMAL, REGULAR PEOPLE JUST LIVING THEIR LIVES! PRAISE NAMINA FORNA, YOU BEAUTIFUL SOUL!
I'm sure Namina Forna is going to write some incredible stuff along her career. I'm excited for the next installment (that I'm late getting to), and whatever Namina might write in the future, I'm definitely going to follow her work, whatever it may be!
I ADORE Deka's and Britta's friendship. They're truly platonic soulmates, and it's so so so lovely that their relationship keeps going strong no matter what. I love that though Deka is strong and divine by her own, she doesn't fear depending on people. Her blood sisters, Britta, Keita, Ixa (who isn't a person but I guess it counts), White Hands. She has a web of people that she can trust, that trust her and comfort her, stand by her side despite all blood they have to go through. It's beautiful!
I wish I would've had this story to read when I was a teen. I would've been so empowered and thrilled to follow Deka along as she fights for what is right and what is wrong. If you can stomach blood and gore, this is a gold mine. What YA should be!
THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE QUEER CHARACTERS AS SIDE CHARACTERS! AS NORMAL, REGULAR PEOPLE JUST LIVING THEIR LIVES! PRAISE NAMINA FORNA, YOU BEAUTIFUL SOUL!
I'm sure Namina Forna is going to write some incredible stuff along her career. I'm excited for the next installment (that I'm late getting to), and whatever Namina might write in the future, I'm definitely going to follow her work, whatever it may be!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Blood, Gore, Violence, and Vomit
ivannna_u's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
amayaethomas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
amzy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
eilidh_read's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
criticalmiss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The pace was super slow for me at the beginning of this book and I was worried as I loved the first one so much, then at about the halfway point the pace picked right up and the story took off. Lots of twists and turns and reveals kept me on my toes, and I am very keen to read the conclusion.
indias_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
osbormad's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
ashndean88's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Not as good as the first, but still an admirable followup.
Deka as a character learns more about herself and her purpose while her friends loyally follow her through everything. I liked how true they were to one another, and how the characters did not act stupidly based on emotions. There were times when Deka wanted to, but she took a moment to breathe. That combined with the fact that emotions were not simply ignored and instead still played an integral part of the story really made this believable.
What took it down some points was the continuous action sequence of the plot. I feel like we were never given a chance to settle down before something new came crashing in! I also got really tired of the secrets by the end. Is that a part of the story? Yes! But it was just too much for one book, in my opinion. As for the jatus... Everything was complex and I thought that THEY acted foolishly about 80% of the way through the book. Right before everything started to turn on itself.
An entertaining read, and one that makes me still want to continue forward. Plus it looks like Shayna Small will be the narrator again and I'm PUMPED! Imani Jade Powers did her best... But it just wasn't the same.
Deka as a character learns more about herself and her purpose while her friends loyally follow her through everything. I liked how true they were to one another, and how the characters did not act stupidly based on emotions. There were times when Deka wanted to, but she took a moment to breathe. That combined with the fact that emotions were not simply ignored and instead still played an integral part of the story really made this believable.
What took it down some points was the continuous action sequence of the plot. I feel like we were never given a chance to settle down before something new came crashing in! I also got really tired of the secrets by the end. Is that a part of the story? Yes! But it was just too much for one book, in my opinion. As for the jatus... Everything was complex and I thought that THEY acted foolishly about 80% of the way through the book. Right before everything started to turn on itself.
An entertaining read, and one that makes me still want to continue forward. Plus it looks like Shayna Small will be the narrator again and I'm PUMPED! Imani Jade Powers did her best... But it just wasn't the same.