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anna_kp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, War, Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
dahliapyne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
2.25
I would say the first 100 or so pages of this book are just heartbreakingly beautiful and I cried. Loved it. But after Part One I personally found the book very boring and dark, and I felt like it could have just been a montage. I think I was waiting for something to happen, and then suddenly the book was over! It seemed like most of the book was just a stepping stone for something bigger (maybe the second book will be better?)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child death, Rape, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism and Sexism
habitualbookoffender's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
The first quarter (ish) of the book is kind of slow, BUT it’s a lot of world building and pertinent information. But there’s a significant turning point in the book and from there, it’s full speed ahead. This book is SO unbelievably good. It draws you in so well, the characters are so well formed, etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Grief, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Rape and Racism
halflingnana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, War, Sexual violence, Violence, Torture, Murder, Classism, and Slavery
stevienotnicks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
I was searching for a series that would make me feel the way I felt with The Hunger Games and this one kept popping up. And while it’s certainly not identical, it hit the mark for me from beginning to end.
Darrow is absolutely a character you can rally behind. No, he’s not a perfect hero, but you can definitely see why he took the path he did. The first person narrative really helped this along as the author brought us into Darrow’s inner workings with each decision he made.
We also got the found family aspect that will always suck me in. Watching Darrow find his people among those he thought would be his enemies was such an interesting conflict to behold.
My only “gripe” is with the multiple loose ends that I didn’t feel were resolved, but this is only the first in a series so I’m sure those will be tackled later.
If you get the chance, listen to the graphic audio while you’re reading. It’s a totally immersive experience.
Darrow is absolutely a character you can rally behind. No, he’s not a perfect hero, but you can definitely see why he took the path he did. The first person narrative really helped this along as the author brought us into Darrow’s inner workings with each decision he made.
We also got the found family aspect that will always suck me in. Watching Darrow find his people among those he thought would be his enemies was such an interesting conflict to behold.
My only “gripe” is with the multiple loose ends that I didn’t feel were resolved, but this is only the first in a series so I’m sure those will be tackled later.
If you get the chance, listen to the graphic audio while you’re reading. It’s a totally immersive experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Classism, Violence, Sexual assault, and Slavery
arrowkat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, and Death
Minor: Rape
aft888's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Slavery, and Classism
Minor: Blood and Suicide attempt
chelseaisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Interesting premise if you’re trying to relive your Hunger Games era. My biggest gripe is that women are only here to be a stepping stone on his heroes journey. 🙃 That being said I enjoyed the twists and strategy and am curious to see Darrow’s rise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, and Child abuse
Minor: Rape, Vomit, and Sexual assault
rumpixel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
The beginning of this book relies a little too heavily on some tired tropes. The second Eo was introduced, I knew home girl was going to be used as the crutch for Darrow's 'call to adventure'. It doesn't wholly detract from the impact and shape Darrow's grief and rage take, but she does become the manic pixie dream girl whose only story purpose was to love Darrow and thrust upon him a moral quest he otherwise had no interest in.
Once you get past that, the book becomes far more interesting. Nothing truly came out of nowhere in terms of plot twists, it's more like multiple plot points sit on a steady simmer on the backburner and you keep a wary eye on — which overall makes it a satisfying read. The world building was integrated throughout, I never felt bogged down with details. The game is brutal and fascinating. The relationships are what makes this book strong against my criticisms.
At the core of it, Darrow is a bit overpowered but he's also our conduit to engage with the wide cast of characters. All of them shine in their own way, even the deplorable ones. Sevro quickly became my favourite, the real MVP, and if he were the main character I think that would have diminished just how great he is to experience through Darrow's perspective. Darrow also fails enough times, either through his own hubris or miscalculated trust, that it offsets any feeling that he is invincible — in my opinion.
All in all, I'm definitely going to continue the series. I'm a sucker for a Greek/Roman God class system, and in the current age of late stage capitalism I'm particularly hungry to eat the rich >:3
Once you get past that, the book becomes far more interesting. Nothing truly came out of nowhere in terms of plot twists, it's more like multiple plot points sit on a steady simmer on the backburner and you keep a wary eye on — which overall makes it a satisfying read. The world building was integrated throughout, I never felt bogged down with details. The game is brutal and fascinating. The relationships are what makes this book strong against my criticisms.
At the core of it, Darrow is a bit overpowered but he's also our conduit to engage with the wide cast of characters. All of them shine in their own way, even the deplorable ones. Sevro quickly became my favourite, the real MVP, and if he were the main character I think that would have diminished just how great he is to experience through Darrow's perspective. Darrow also fails enough times, either through his own hubris or miscalculated trust, that it offsets any feeling that he is invincible — in my opinion.
All in all, I'm definitely going to continue the series. I'm a sucker for a Greek/Roman God class system, and in the current age of late stage capitalism I'm particularly hungry to eat the rich >:3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Racism
zanazy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
This was the first male main character lead story and sci-fi fantasy I’ve ever read. The setting is a dystopian society sometime in the future. Earth is dying/has died, and humanity has found a home in other planets. Darrow the main protagonist is a strong and complicated character. The book takes a few early chapters to set the setting of the story and the "caste" like system, and then quickly introduces the conflict and sets Darrow up for his story arc. Very early on, you get a sense of how far humanity is willing to go to survive, at the cost of others, and how the governing leaders silence those who dare to speak up.
There is a mystery around the death of Eo. Right away I want to know more about her song and what her last words were. The impact her death has on Darrow influences him and stay with hin throughout the story. I have a feeling we will learn more about Eo as the story continues.
The supporting characters in this story are all complicated and complex characters that add to the storyline and make you invest in their fates. Darrow finds himself in a world where everyone should be his enemy, and where despite his new status he is still a lower ranking than his peers, but he rises above and is a natural leader. He is a great example of someone who was born to lead. His leadership growth and the way he adapts and learns from his early mistakes in being a leader humanize him and make him relatable. No character in the story is without flaws.
There is very little romance in the story, which I thought I would miss, but it fits the setting. There are hints of characters becoming more, and the gradual build-up to this relationship is realistic, due to Darrow's early loss in the book. I look forward to seeing how this relationship evolves.
My favorite relationship is that of Sevro and Darrow. Brothers, loyalty, pride, and overcoming misconceptions and status. Sevro and the Howlers are the best, and their loyalty to Darrow, the Reaper is a highlight. I can't wait for Darrow to prove everyone wrong and show that loyalty was not just confined to their trial, some bonds truly cannot be broken and are for life.
There is a mystery around the death of
The supporting characters in this story are all complicated and complex characters that add to the storyline and make you invest in their fates. Darrow finds himself in a world where everyone should be his enemy, and where despite his new status he is still a lower ranking than his peers, but he rises above and is a natural leader. He is a great example of someone who was born to lead. His leadership growth and the way he adapts and learns from his early mistakes in being a leader humanize him and make him relatable. No character in the story is without flaws.
There is very little romance in the story, which I thought I would miss, but it fits the setting. There are hints of characters becoming more, and the gradual build-up to this relationship is realistic, due to Darrow's early loss in the book. I look forward to seeing how this relationship evolves.
My favorite relationship is that of Sevro and Darrow. Brothers, loyalty, pride, and overcoming misconceptions and status. Sevro and the Howlers are the best, and their loyalty to Darrow, the Reaper is a highlight. I can't wait for Darrow to prove everyone wrong and show that loyalty was not just confined to their trial, some bonds truly cannot be broken and are for life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: War, Death, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Blood, Sexual assault, Classism, Cursing, and Medical content
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Self harm, Rape, Grief, Physical abuse, and Slavery