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rosy_posy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I'm new to Brigid Kemmerer but I was so taken by this book, it was fantastic! I was so entrenched in the plot and wondering which side I should be aligning with. I loved all of the characters and the world she built. The relationships were developed so well, and it made me tear up at points! I will definitely be reading more by Brigid Kemmerer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
katiepreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Miscarriage, Child abuse, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault
crocus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, and Miscarriage
maymaymags's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Classism
The sexual assault is breifly referenced in past tense, consent is an important topic in the book and is respected by the characters and the authorkori_dragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I didn't read the Cursebreaker series before this one. And it's do-able, but you miss a lot of the history and backstory to side characters who play a big part of the plot progression. The three main viewpoints are Jax and Callyn (two Briarlock villagers), and Tycho (who has history that is briefly mentioned).
I really enjoyed this story and the intrigue about it. Three people who don't know who is on which side, and the villagers who don't know which is the right side. Each chapter is a different viewpoint, so you get to see their opinions, viewpoints, and reasoning. The story starts slow but draws you in until you don't know what is happening. The last few chapters went fast and took a surprising turn which makes me eager for the next book in this series.
Jax became my favorite character and I think he evolved the most. Callyn comes across as stubborn at times and not willing to admit they are wrong.
I really enjoyed this story and the intrigue about it. Three people who don't know who is on which side, and the villagers who don't know which is the right side. Each chapter is a different viewpoint, so you get to see their opinions, viewpoints, and reasoning. The story starts slow but draws you in until you don't know what is happening. The last few chapters went fast and took a surprising turn which makes me eager for the next book in this series.
Jax became my favorite character and I think he evolved the most. Callyn comes across as stubborn at times and not willing to admit they are wrong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, Animal death, and Sexual content
emma_johnson_529's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Overall, I really loved all of these characters and their relationships. Especially the main one- my heart almost couldn’t take it! Those perfect sweet cinnamon rolls deserve the world!
But: there were some places where the pacing or plot lost me. And some character moments I didn’t agree with based on the previous Cursebreakers series.
In any case, if you liked the original trilogy, you are in for a TREAT.
But: there were some places where the pacing or plot lost me. And some character moments I didn’t agree with based on the previous Cursebreakers series.
In any case, if you liked the original trilogy, you are in for a TREAT.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual assault
bailey63's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I suddenly want to re-read the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual assault
littletiramisu's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Perfect. I need the sequels, and even more sequels, and I want every single character to get their own sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, War, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Murder, Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual assault, Animal death, Child death, and Rape
joareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - I loved being back in the Cursebreaker world revisiting Emberfall and Syhl Shallow and their characters. There is some inconsistency in the book and there is that annoying character trait of being too stubborn and shutting people out which in itself causes problems, however I was totally drawn into the story and couldn't wait to read on.
We briefly get to see the characters from the original Cursebreaker trilogy and I was so thrilled to see them again and to find out what happened after because the ending to the Cursebreaker trilogy was rather unsatisfying for me. We hardly see Harper but we get a few interactions between one of the main characters, Tycho, and Rhen which is fascinating given what happened between them in the first trilogy, particularly the second book. We also see what Lia Mara and Grey are up to and I still take massive issue with Grey. He really is a character that wants his cake and to eat it too and it aggravates me! He wants to be king but to also stay with his wife and child away from his kingdom, he's gratingly stubborn and treats his friends quite poorly. I still don't like him and this book reiterates that for me - he is yet to redeem himself and his stupid decisions.
But there are some new characters introduced into the world; Callyn, Jax, Lord Alek and Nora which are welcome additions. Jax is definitely a favourite and I just loved his romantic relationship in this book. It's also great to see more disability representation in a fantasy book, as well as more LGBT+ too! I wasn't too invested in Callyn and her sister Nora to start with but they grew on me as I read on and I'm glad of their addition to the story, particularly Nora's cheeky comments.
I do have a couple of little gripes with this book (aside from the massive gripe that is Grey as a character...) but they're just little things like how Callyn is so poor she splits a boiled egg with her sister for dinner but then they have food leftover from the bakery when they don't sell enough... Surely they could consume this? Tycho is a bit tight-lipped in this story and I think the second book in the Cursebreaker triology thoroughly delved into the ramifications of miscommunication so this got a little tiring. And finally, I thought the ending was a bit rushed with the battle quickly over and the futures of the new characters swiftly wrapped up.
That being said, I can't deny that I was drawn into the story and really loved reading every chapter. I can't wait to see where it goes next, I just hope we don't get another 180 degree turn on a character's personality like with Grey... It just felt so lovely and warm to be wrapped up in this world again and I basked in it. Oh and how could I forget - this book features a cat so obviously that bumps up its rating!
We briefly get to see the characters from the original Cursebreaker trilogy and I was so thrilled to see them again and to find out what happened after because the ending to the Cursebreaker trilogy was rather unsatisfying for me. We hardly see Harper but we get a few interactions between one of the main characters, Tycho, and Rhen which is fascinating given what happened between them in the first trilogy, particularly the second book. We also see what Lia Mara and Grey are up to and I still take massive issue with Grey. He really is a character that wants his cake and to eat it too and it aggravates me! He wants to be king but to also stay with his wife and child away from his kingdom, he's gratingly stubborn and treats his friends quite poorly. I still don't like him and this book reiterates that for me - he is yet to redeem himself and his stupid decisions.
But there are some new characters introduced into the world; Callyn, Jax, Lord Alek and Nora which are welcome additions. Jax is definitely a favourite and I just loved his romantic relationship in this book. It's also great to see more disability representation in a fantasy book, as well as more LGBT+ too! I wasn't too invested in Callyn and her sister Nora to start with but they grew on me as I read on and I'm glad of their addition to the story, particularly Nora's cheeky comments.
I do have a couple of little gripes with this book (aside from the massive gripe that is Grey as a character...) but they're just little things like how Callyn is so poor she splits a boiled egg with her sister for dinner but then they have food leftover from the bakery when they don't sell enough... Surely they could consume this? Tycho is a bit tight-lipped in this story and I think the second book in the Cursebreaker triology thoroughly delved into the ramifications of miscommunication so this got a little tiring. And finally, I thought the ending was a bit rushed with the battle quickly over and the futures of the new characters swiftly wrapped up.
That being said, I can't deny that I was drawn into the story and really loved reading every chapter. I can't wait to see where it goes next, I just hope we don't get another 180 degree turn on a character's personality like with Grey... It just felt so lovely and warm to be wrapped up in this world again and I basked in it. Oh and how could I forget - this book features a cat so obviously that bumps up its rating!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Violence, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault
emily_reads09's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, War, Vomit, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy