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gerdkel's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
joana_stormblessed's review
4.0
This book was so different from anything I've read and it was not at all what I was expecting.
I thought I was getting into a fantasy world, but this is a murder mystery. Once I was on board with it, the fantasy elements and the political intrigue peaked and I loved it. I thought the last half of the book was truly great.
I loved the sibling relationships, especially because there are different ones : siblings, half-siblings and adopted ones. really cool and interesting
I thought I was getting into a fantasy world, but this is a murder mystery. Once I was on board with it, the fantasy elements and the political intrigue peaked and I loved it. I thought the last half of the book was truly great.
I loved the sibling relationships, especially because there are different ones : siblings, half-siblings and adopted ones. really cool and interesting
snaillydia's review
2.0
Mixed feelings on this one. Good plot twists but the rest was so meh.
This book tried so hard to give complex political intrigue that fell flat on its face. Some of the ideas here are promising, but they happen around cartoonish villains, a clueless protagonist and a love interest that's trying to be Eugenides from The Thief. Mehhhhhh.
This book tried so hard to give complex political intrigue that fell flat on its face. Some of the ideas here are promising, but they happen around cartoonish villains, a clueless protagonist and a love interest that's trying to be Eugenides from The Thief. Mehhhhhh.
moonlit_dewdrops's review
3.0
I had a good time with this one. All the plot twists really keeps you glued to the book and flipping the pages. Hesina was a pretty interesting character, but I wish I had seen a little more development. Being crowned queen at 17 is not easy and I wish I could have seen her grow into the queen she needed to be for her nation. I also wished we got to know more about Akira. He was just kind of there and there really wasn't much background about him.
The plot and worldbuilding were all great, but the characters felt dull so it was a bit of a miss for me.
The plot and worldbuilding were all great, but the characters felt dull so it was a bit of a miss for me.
hayleyc28's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
sdloomer's review against another edition
2.0
Update 10/3/2021
I have very mixed feelings on this. On one hand, the world is pretty interesting and makes a good backdrop, but on the other, this book was probably eighty percent politicking and teenage "scheming" that I felt pretty bored through some particularly dense parts.
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As a fellow Asian, this cover brings legit tears to my face.
I have very mixed feelings on this. On one hand, the world is pretty interesting and makes a good backdrop, but on the other, this book was probably eighty percent politicking and teenage "scheming" that I felt pretty bored through some particularly dense parts.
--
As a fellow Asian, this cover brings legit tears to my face.