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mozimmerm'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
I found Bree inspiring and relatable. Even though I haven’t lost someone that close to me yet, i could feel her emotions and at least somewhat grasp her grief.
Each character was so different, and I enjoyed getting to know them. I have a favorite character 💕 and I can’t wait to read the second book!
Graphic: Death, Racism, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
mikilah'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
bookthief'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
Bree was a fantastic character. She was strong, brave and resilient. I loved how throughout the book she accepted her grief for her mother and used it to discover the story of her origin through her ancestors. I was so surprised at the end that Bree was actually the Scion of Arthur. But I’m so glad that she is because she would be a great leader and king. Her powers are incredible and awesome and super strong. I can’t wait to see what type of king she will become in the next book!
Nick was an incredibly kind and determined person. The way he helped Bree when they had only known each other for less than a day was very sweet, and putting his life on the line several times for her. I would love it if Nick and Bree got together and stayed together as they work so well together. However a small part of me wants Sel to swoop in and be with Bree:)
The writing of the book was brilliant. The organisation was done perfectly as everything flowed smoothly and leaving mysteries at the perfect time.
I would definitely recommend this book to those of you who like fantasy and retelling of Arthurian Legend.
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
rosenau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Medical content, Kidnapping, Car accident, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Transphobia, Alcohol, and War
spooderman'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Rape, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
vivavia'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
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lilifane'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
5.0
Is this the best YA fantasy book ever written? Maybe?
At least, it's one of the best I've read. Truly, the writing is fantastic. I laughed, I cried, I was at the edge of my seat and turned page after page after page. And I just found out this is Tracy Deonn's debut novel?! What?!
Loved the writing. Looooved the characters, the character work, development, their dynamics are so good. There are some tropes I usually don't enjoy that much, but here I didn't mind, I was even invested. I'm here for it. And there is so much LGBTQ+ representation! Gay, Lesbian, Bi Characters, a non-binary one. And the way they are casually part of the story made me SO happy.
Also, Bree as the protagonist is such a delight to follow. Even when she is grieving and angry. I love her.
I'm a fan of Arthurian legends. One of my first fantasy books ever was a retelling of the legend. Since then, I've encountered many more and this one is so unique. I have to admit, it is confusing at the beginning. There is a lot of world building (A LOT), a lot of names, and details. The magic system is wild and equally confusing. And then halfway through the book a second magic system comes into play. And I loved this one even more. But it worked for me. In the end everything came together perfectly, the plot, the characters, the mysteries. The ending is so satisfying.
And all that, the character dynamics, the friendships, the romance, the magic, the (for me perfectly paced) plot is interwoven with themes like grief, racism, colonization, slavery, generational trauma in such a brilliant way. I could say so much more and talk about this book for hours on end, but I don't want to spoil anything. I'm just in love which this story and can't wait to continue with Bloodmarked right away.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Gore, Rape, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
sup3r_xn0va_maya'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
5.0
This story is "Black Girl Magic," meets Arthurian legend. This was about 500 pages, I feel like the first half was a bit slow, and then the second half picked up and had all the action.
The story was overall amazing!
I'm giving this 5 out of 5 stars.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
miles'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Racism, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Vomit, and Car accident
bobooks02'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
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Death of parent
Moderate: Kidnapping