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abbyschalupa's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Suicide
pvbobrien's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol, Cannibalism, Sexual content, Violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual violence, and Confinement
maple_dove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Minor: slut-shaming There are two sex scenes.andromeda_1998'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? Yes
5.0
Characters
I really enjoyed the characters some of theme are precious little beans that should be protected others are plain evil. The writer navigates these extremes with ease and really shows off her talent of writing multidimensional characters.
Plot
The plot is a bit well predictable, and this sounds weird, in a good way. It’s a real fantasy with a girl finding out that she had magical powers and now she has to save the world but in a gothic kind of way.
The plot is dark and before you decide to pick this book up you need to check the triggerwarnings. The writer doesn’t shy away from harsh subjects so be safe.
Writingstyle
This book is fast paced and I would consider it to be an easy read. It’s a book to finish in one setting and while I did precisely that. Did I finish it at around 2 in the morning? Yes… do I regret it? No…. Who needs sleep anyways?
Recommendations
Yes I would for sure recommend this book. I just don’t really know to whom. I think readers who are looking for a darker story with a pansexual polyamorous main character would really enjoy this one.
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Violence
tazrean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
wrenxavier'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? N/A
3.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Kidnapping and Suicide
melaniereadsbooks'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? Yes
4.5
Rovan has been hiding the fact that she is a bloodmage her whole life--ever since she watched her father die for being one. Bloodmages are surrounded by death and forced to work for Theopolis, and Rovan will do anything she can to avoid that life...except letting her friend die. When she reveals she is a bloodmage, she is forced to the palace to except a bloodline and a life she wants no part of, and is beset with a Guardian--a spirit that seems to be more there to guard others from her than her from them. But there is something else going on in the city, causing the world-wide blight, and it stinks of death. Rovan will risk her own life to find out what it is.
I was all in on the premise of this book: the bloodmage, reluctant hero, secret plots and royal intrigue! The setting is also really interesting and I was so curious to find out what was causing the blight. There are a lot of twists and reveals that I didn't see coming, and I was kept on the edge of my seat for the entire time! I really love the plot.
The queer rep in this book is also amazing! Rovan is pansexual and polyamorous. There is a main character who is nonbinary panromantic-asexual, and lots of other queer characters. I thought it was all well-done and was glad that it wasn't looked down on in this world (as long as characters still reproduced, that is).
The only real complaint I had with this book (and not much of one) is that I didn't really feel the connection between Rovan and her love interests until...very far into the book. I didn't think the chemistry between them was that great and it seemed like much more of a visual-only attraction for a long time. It did get better though!
The found family element made me want to cry. So precious. Definitely get this book!
Pub Date: May 18, 2021
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Body horror, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit