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samluh'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, and War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
nikimorr'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
There is a mix of everything - adventure, friendship, romance. I found the main character, Violet, to be lovable, and I was rooting for her from the beginning. Even when I did not always agree with her decisions, I was all in on Team Violet, which does not happen in many books. I appreciated that she wasn’t a “perfect” main character - she has many flaws but prevails nonetheless.
I love that this book took place in a school - there was so many different elements to the school and the student’s training that allowed us to learn about not only the world but also the characters and watch them develop, grow and bond (with each other and dragons).
At first, I wanted more world building, but by the end as more and more unfolded, I was grateful for the timing of development - instead of overly intense world building in the beginning, it all slowly unfolds making it very easy to read.
SPOILERS: Threshing and forward had me hooked. The personality of Tairn and Andarna added so much to the book - Tairn as powerful and grumpy, and Andarna as simply adorable. The ability for everyone to mentally connect made it all feel so intimate and special. It is as if Tairn and Andarna represent both sides of Violet.
SPOILERS: The slow burn between Xaden and Violet was ‘chef’s kiss.’ The grumpy/sunshine and protector trope developed perfectly. Their survival being connected added in all the best ways.
SPOILERS: The ending left so much open for this series. The first battle was perfect and emotional. Liam’s, and his dragon’s, death devastated me, and in that battle I knew this was a 5 star book for me. I am so excited to keep going on this journey.
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
tieflingmom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
amy_in_the_city's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The world-building was clunky. There were several instances of unnatural exposition through dialogue starting with "as you already know" or someone explaining something to another character that they should already reasonably be expected to know. There was also a lot of telling us Xaden was "ruthless" and "vicious" without ever actually showing him acting that way. This was just fine with me since I don't like cruel love interests much, but it bothered me that they were trying to convince us he was a "dark and dangerous bad boy" when he's really not. Another minor issue was I really didn't like Xaden's nickname for Violet. I thought it was awkward and not cute.
I feel like Violet kind of overreacted to the third-act conflict.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Violence, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
beltari's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was fun but I enjoyed it the same way I enjoyed Sharknado. I can see why some less experienced readers would love it too. It was written so that young female readers will identify themselves with the "not like other girls" protagonist and if that's your cup of tea, go for it. It has cool fight scenes, Mexican novel levels of drama, and smutty scenes worthy of AO3. It's a light read and made me laugh with all the cringy dialogue and obvious plot twists. I'm giving it 4 stars because it fulfilled my need for a popcorn book.
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
mysteryspouse'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Excrement
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail
___'s review against another edition
Also, most of the second half of the book is just smut garbage.
Graphic: Body shaming
brand_ohs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Body shaming
Not really spoiler but will bring attention to it a lot, the phrasesoobooksalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder