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talulamae'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
4.25
Graphic: Genocide, Bullying, Hate crime, Murder, Animal death, Blood, Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Chronic illness
juliawitmer's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, Animal death, Child death, and Genocide
Moderate: Torture and Kidnapping
itsapaxycab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Genocide, and Animal death
shieldbearer's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Xenophobia, Child death, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Genocide, Blood, Mental illness, Torture, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Drug use, Cannibalism, and Vomit
taliahsbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Spoilers:
Low-level spoiler:
Low-level spoiler:
Mid-level spoiler:
Mid-level spoiler:
High-level spoiler for book 5:
Favorite quotes:
"How ironic that the Underland, which had always been a place to dread, had become a place to escape to."(2)
"Life is short. There are only a few good things in it, really. Don't pretend that one isn't happening."(331)
"'So this is how a war starts,' thought Gregor. Not with two armies facing off, waiting for the signal to charge. Not with a wave of rats invading the avenues of Regalia. Not with a formation of bats swooping down on an unsuspecting colony of rats. It begins much more quietly. In a room, on a field, in a remote tunnel when someone who has power decides the time has come."(194)
"How exhausting it was to keep a secret, to hide a secret, to discover a secret, to know a secret existed and waited for you in the dark."(339)
"It was not an impromptu rhyme, something she had made up off the top of her head. There was a specific ritual and a grim, formal tome to the lines. Gregor was certain it was an oath. Something you swore to fulfill or died trying to. It came from such an agonized place within Luxa that Gregor wanted to wrap his arms around her. But the oath had pushed him away from her, too. Had reminded him that he was just a visitor in a strange land where people vowed vengeance and crowns mattered and queens were off-limits to him."(186)
"My heart is so crowded already. But I'm sure the others will make room for Thalia. She is not a very big bat."(317)
"Upon this crown my pledge I give. To my last breath, I hold this choice. I will your unjust deaths avenge, all here who died without a voice."(185)
"The Hokey Pokey was doing nothing for his warrior image."(68)
"Next time you are thirsty, Hazard, you might try a cup instead of a river."(156)
"Watching her rise, Gregor could no longer see Luxa the twelve-year-old girl who'd been searching for clues about her mouse friends. What he saw was the future head of Regalia, and its considerable armies, and that the rats were somehow going to pay with their blood."(186)
"There were about a zillion things his family couldn't afford... but questions topped the list."(2)
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Genocide, and Gore
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, and Torture
lolaslalaland's review against another edition
5.0
I thought "Curse of the Warmbloods" was brutal, but "Marks of Secret" has shown me that it can get much worse, and again I still cannot believe these are middle grade books and now I have a better understanding of why I so love dark fantasy and horror.
I truly appreciated how much more of Luxa we get in this book and her growth as a Queen. But also, Temp finally gets the recognition he deserves! Man, this book really changes your perspective on bugs and other critters. This might be why I try to save all kinds of creepy crawlers.
The ending though is such a cliffhanger... I don't know how I handled it back when I was 8-9 years old and did not yet own all the books.
Graphic: Death and Animal death
Moderate: Genocide