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lea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Animal death, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Torture, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
poison_frogs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Vomit, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent
bookishchef's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I mean... the forged ones are basically zombies, no?
Unfortunately, this was incredibly boring until the last third. I listened to it in audio form and it became a stream of consciousness at some point. It didn't feel like the story had a clear direction (or any at all) until the last 30%. It's a shame because the writing is very good and some of the character relationships were intriguing.
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, and Animal death
Moderate: Drug use, Alcoholism, and War
bea_reads_books's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Addiction and Child abuse
Moderate: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Cursing, War, Alcoholism, Grief, Sexism, Bullying, Death, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Drug abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
maregred's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Classism, Blood, and Animal death
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Grief, Sexism, and Domestic abuse
anahisa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
three stars because it’s very much a set up book, but the promise of the story it teased throughout is very exciting + intriguing! will be reading on when time (my library hold) permits 🫡
the exposition dragged, yes, but I do believe it’s worthwhile world-building that has already, and will continue to, pay off in future installments. also (?) surprisingly heartfelt!! shocked + upset to find myself crying over characters I didn’t think I’d connected to (silly me).
and YES im reading queer subtext into it <333
Graphic: Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Murder, Violence, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Suicidal thoughts
erebus53's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Not everything was a problem to be resolved in this story, which leaves a lot of scope for the future. Clearly, some things are left as origin story and will be threads that can be woven into upcoming chapters. I think the only thing that could seriously turn someone off a story like this is if you hate magic and dogs. I did find it hard to invest energy in the relationships that Fitz has with his dogs, because I could see them being used against me (he reader) to twist some kind of John Wick narrative. I do like that things were internally consistent, and that each character had their own knowledge and motivations.
I LOVE it when I am presented with a simple puzzle, with hints along the way. There are many little revelations that unfold through this story as it is one of espionage, power plays, and secrets.. but also of arcane knowledge, misunderstandings and true affection between people. The relationships carry the story and make it feel less clunky; less a war game and more like a conversation.
I'm looking forward to exploring the world building and the people we meet along the way.
Graphic: Drug use, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Infidelity and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit, War, Animal cruelty, and Excrement
saintsunshine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm not sure yet if I'll be continuing my read as I did struggle a bit with the book. The first person narration and the audiobook performance were obstacles to my enjoyment of the book, which is wholly a personal thing and not on Hobb. Given the nature of Hobb's writing, it was at times difficult to keep track of characters and motivations. I found that characters would reach conclusions that would go unexplained, so this is a book that rewards full attention. I just found that mine wasn't always there.
The high points of this book, however, were incredibly exciting. While I think I'll take a break before commiting to more of the series, I hope to chase those same highs again.
Graphic: Murder and Animal death
Moderate: Blood, Abandonment, Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Death, Animal cruelty, Cursing, and Misogyny
mouse_ears's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Death, Violence, Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Murder, and Suicide attempt
clarissa_joy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use