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linhsreadinghour's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think it’s best for older younger readers due to the really big and dark themes the books explored but I think it’s done in a really accessible way for young readers. It’s a great gateway series that would ease them into adult fantasy, exploring themes such as oppression, misogyny, and lgbtq+ rep (great non-binary rep in book 3.
It’s got all the goodness in fantasy such as sisterhood, quest, found family, animal companion, gods, and a whole lot of cool magic and creatures.
At the heart of the story though, is the classic theme of coming of age and that everyone has a choice in who they become.
If I review book 3 specifically though, I thought that book 1 and 2 were much better. I remember having more bigger reactions to book 1 and 2. This book I felt like I had to force myself to keep reading near the middle. We’re introduced to some new characters/creatures and information/decisions but ultimately this and the ending felt a little rushed. I also understand Deka was trying to grapple with her destiny but her emotions were all over the place it seemed.
Graphic: Blood, War, Misogyny, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Grief
gwennanwrites's review against another edition
Graphic: Death of parent, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Gore, Blood, Child death, Murder, Sexism, War, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Mental illness, Child abuse, Death, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, and Torture
lpdx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, War, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, and Gore
Minor: Alcohol
palmkd'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? It's complicated
5.0
This story was brutal, powerful, and really well done. There is found family, amazing creatures, awesome magic and world building.
In the OwlCrate author letter for the first book she says she wanted to address the concept of purity and how it’s been used to keep women in their place. That really came through to me and was such a powerful part of the story all the way through. I will definitely be rereading this one.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Blood, and Grief
bookishmillennial'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
"But it is always my cost...Always, always. It's always me making sacrifices. Even now."
Is this where I got it from, this habit of blaming myself for anything and everything?
But no, Otera is the reason, the culprit. Its culture is. The Infinite Wisdoms - the false holy books on which I was raised-conditions women to take on the sins of everyone else. No matter the situation, no matter the person, if something happens, it's always the woman's fault. And barring that, it is the fault of the men who love other men, or the yandau, or the maimed and injured, the infirm-anyone who isn't a typical Oteran man.
It is always the fault of those on the periphery.
We are the ones Otera sees as inherently weak, shameful. We are the ones who must always shoulder the blame.
"No more prescribed roles. No false holy books. No more following arcane rules, simply because you appear a certain way. Now everyone in Otera can be who they wish. Who they are inside. And that's all I've ever asked for."
To give you a very quick recap of Deka's current situation at the beginning of this book, let me help you out real quick. Deka has discovered more and more of her goddess powers and each time she uses one of her abilities, gold sores take over her body, reminding her that her time as a human is limited. Each moment that she doesn't reconnect with her kelai (celestial essence), she is closer to scattering into a million pieces. If this happens, no one will be able to stop the Gilded Ones or the Idugu will bleed her kingdom of Otera dry. Deka searches for her Mother, visits the gods, and dodges danger at every turn with the help of her friends and her mentor White Hands. Deka is the Angoro, the slayer of the gods, and she must live up to this namesake for peace.
Overall, I thought this was an inspiring and bittersweet end to this series, and while it took a bit to get there (there was absolutely some seemingly aimless filler in between these pages!), I certainly appreciated the quieter moments between the characters as they mentally and emotionally prepared to confront the inevitable (is it?! that's what I was wondering up until the very end, which I think Forna did an excellent job of - making readers guess what Deka's fate would be) choice of sacrificing herself to save her friends and the world.
Ixa gets an honorable mention because I love him; he is goofy, loyal and fiesty. I just adore this shape-shifting companion!!! Also, I absolutely adored the hot springs scene with Deka and all of her found family, Britta, Li & Keita. *tears up*
I will miss this series and I think it would be really cool to see optioned and adapted on screen!
Graphic: Death, Grief, Sexism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment