Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

5 reviews

naluminum's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book started by jumping around the timeline a little abruptly. The context for the conflict between the Descended and the Mortals was well presented and a good representation of class differences and how starkly contrasting the priorities on each side are. 
Honestly I felt that Diem was not the main character this story needed. Her actions are often rash and other characters, such as her childhood love interest, imply many times that she is ignorant to how her world works.  As a consequence Diem is a force of chaos, disrupting the lives of the mortals just trying to survive and the Descended prince who was the last person to see her mother before she disappeared. And of course the ruthless prince wants to protect her as soon as he meets her, no matter how suspicious and standoffish Diem behaves towards him (mostly her personality, but also involvement with a rebel group). I will read the sequel because I’m intrigued by this MC who entirely overdramatic and I hope to see her mature or fail at embracing her heritage. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Classism, Murder, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury

hapalyn's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

4 stars

The world is interesting, and I find it to be very intriguing. I like the way the land is, and I think there's a lot more than meets the eye with this series. That being said, it wasn't a 5 star purely because of the STRESS I was stressing while reading. Personal preference, I just like less of the angst there, but I will continue reading. 

Also Henri is so insufferable, and I can't stand him. Diem is an amazing character, yet she's so easily persuaded, which I hope to see her grow out of. Rooting for her and Luther.. but also Teller and Lily. Something tells me though that there's going to be a long, slow burn for our main heroine. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gore, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Cursing

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent and War

snickerykitten's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

So strong. I appreciate the hella hella slow, snail, not even a kiss until nearly the end of the book and only that kiss, of a burn. Beyond that, the MFC struggle kept me dialed in and into book two. Most current sagas lose me mid way through the second installment, so hopefully this one does not disappoint. The cliffhanger of an ending was 🔥

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Child death, and Death

Moderate: Sexual harassment

maggies's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

I admittedly did not have super high expectations for this book, but it far surpassed them and then some. The world-building was just complex enough to be interesting and just simple enough to be understandable. The magic system was mysterious and explained at the right times in the right ways. The relationships between Diem and her family and friends were realistic and deep. Any complaints are too minor to warrant typing!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

soniajoy98's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Classism, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Child death, Grief, Blood, Colonisation, Gore, Medical content, Misogyny, and Violence

Moderate: Genocide, Death of parent, Drug use, War, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Mental illness, Abortion, Incest, and Pregnancy