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grace_b_3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Sexual content, War, Abandonment, Addiction, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Child abuse
kiwij96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Could easily have been a longer book to develop the magic system a bit better but hopefully the next book will manage that. Gives more of a sci-fi vibe with the worldbuilding including spaceships.
Romance was very slow-burn and I appreciated that.
At times I found it very topical and hard to read as a form of escapism with everything that's going on in the world. This book handles land invasion and genocide and the villains acting like they are the righteous heroes liberating a rogue state.
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
hspfost'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: War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse
roseleebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What I liked: the ambition of the plot. There was a lot happening but it felt cohesive and like it was progressing in a way that made sense. The political aspects were more enjoyable than I would have expected. The tension between Talasyn and Alaric was very well written also. Early in the book I was looking forward to scenes where they interacted. I also really liked listening to this on audiobook. I read some of it in book format but the writing and dialogue really lend themselves well to an audio format.
What I didn't like: sometimes the angst and arguments between Talasyn and Alaric were a little too much for me. And maybe this was because I wasn't quite in the mood to read about that type of relationship.
Overall this was an entertaining read and I will be continuing the series with the next book.
Graphic: War, Xenophobia, Violence, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse
fandomsandfiction's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
- NA high fantasy
- war and politics
- racial diversity done well
- detailed religious system, geopolitics and languages
- flying warships, dragons, epic battles and all that good stuff!!!
- slowwwburn knife-to-throat enemies-to-lovers with a political marriage of convenience and one bed trope for added spice 😌
*takes a deep breath*
So, I feel very normally about this book. I am in no way overly obsessed with the intricacy of the world building, the powerful commentary on war and politics, the excellent tension between the main characters, the skillfully fleshed-out side characters, the seamless weaving of fantasy and reality, the passionate emotions that leap off the page or the other 989238274921782+ reasons why this book is one of the best fantasies I have ever read.
Yup. Totally normal and not obsessed at all. 😊
Set across the backdrop of a war-town world, this is a book about pain, love and the many kinds of conflict. And of course, lots of magic!!!
I love the concept of flying ships being the main system of transport. I never thought racial diversity could be done so RIGHT until I read this book. The characters are all delightful and even the most hateful of characters expose the complicated nature of war and trauma. There is such fun witty dialogue! I mean, it's probably unrealistic for soldiers to be making sarcastic and snippy remarks during battle, but I am ALL HERE FOR IT 🤭
The alternate POVs really helps this book achieve its greatness. While the Night Empire is portrayed as the 'Big Bad Guy', following the narratives of dual leading characters had my heart aching for both sides and it shows the true complexities of a war built on propaganda, manipulation and no actual villain. The characters' conflicting, tormented emotions feel so real. Reading both Talasyn and Alaric's POVs - especially when it came to the duties of their positions vs their personal feelings/beliefs - felt like have a knife twist and turn in my chest. AND THE TENSION!!! The alternate POVs really amplified the repressed romantic and sexual tension between them (and like the messed-up soul I am, this gave me life). Both their stories are so painful, and this book may just be one of the most raw and poignant enemies-to-lovers fantasies I've ever read. The aching and pining and obvious attraction mixed with lies and secrets and impending betrayal is somehow exhilarating. Is this a drug? Because it feels like a drug.
While the building attraction between the main characters is a core feature, it does not overshadow the rest of the rich storyline. With a real slowburn (which is PERFECT for this context), the focus is less on the romance and more on the characters and story developments. Thea Guanzon wields the English language like a weapon. It takes great skill to make someone feel such BIG feelings and think such BIG thoughts by using nothing but the same 26 letters rearranged in different ways. This book is a work of art. And I am soooooo normal about it!
Moderate: War
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, War, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, and Child abuse
booksthatburn's review against another edition
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy, War, Alcohol, Blood, Violence, and Death
Minor: Child abuse
evelynyle_88'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
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Animal cruelty
shebby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
Minor: Animal cruelty and Child abuse
jomjom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
It was fine. The book is medium pace but feels slow paced (so it drags) and the enemies to lovers aspect could have been stronger in that it was mostly unconvincing. The e2l dynamic should have just been focused on the fact that they are on opposite sides of the war because the personal aspect of their enemy dynamic was lacking and unconvincing Just not fleshed out enough. I would go into more detail but I'm too tired lol (not bc of the book I just need to go to sleep). Anyway it wasn't engaging enough for me be interested in reading the 2nd book but I do think there's an audience for it.