saphreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book was beautiful and I'm so excited for the next one!
smbrero's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
dlsmk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Bullying, Violence, Murder, Child death, Physical abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Minor: Abortion
moonurbeloved's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
danacoledares's review against another edition
3.0
This is actually kind of a 2.5 for me, but I'm rounding up because the book is better than that.
The thing is, it's REALLY bleak. And there's a LOT going on. And it's long. And this summer and the start of the school year have been ridiculously hectic. It was a bit of a chore to read, but that was just because I wasn't in the right space to enjoy it fully.
I like the depth of the characters (well, most of them). OTOH the pace feels a smidge off to me. There's something that seems like the main conflict for the series and it's barely touched on.
If life calms down, I may continue the series.
The thing is, it's REALLY bleak. And there's a LOT going on. And it's long. And this summer and the start of the school year have been ridiculously hectic. It was a bit of a chore to read, but that was just because I wasn't in the right space to enjoy it fully.
I like the depth of the characters (well, most of them). OTOH the pace feels a smidge off to me. There's something that seems like the main conflict for the series and it's barely touched on.
If life calms down, I may continue the series.
ptorrens's review against another edition
5.0
So I have to say, I really loved this book! I was just totally immersed in the world, the stories and how they intertwined were just endlessly entertaining! You know the writing is good when you're shedding tears eighteen pages in! So obviously, I felt invested in these characters, and that makes or breaks a book for me. Laia was an awesome character and I enjoyed watching her growth as the story progressed. I was glad that she started out as someone who was normal, scared, ashamed, naive. Her flaws made her growth more profitable in my mind. I liked reading about her mother and how she felt like she would never be that strong, yet she knew that her brother's life depended on her, and so she was brave to save him. Her decisions affected her and helped her learn.
Elias was a fabulous character too, I couldn't help but feel for him. Feeling like an outsider when everyone around him was bloodthirsty. Wanting to honor life rather than cause pain, death, and destruction. I felt his pain for wanting his freedom, I felt his love for Helene, I felt for the his lack of family. I mean, when your own mother harbors nothing but cold resentment and hatred for you, it can't be easy. I especially appreciated his POV after the third trial, his pain and anguish really got me. And then when he and Laia were together, those scenes were kind of magical; I also liked his backstory and how his past life shaped him.
And Helene, I really came to love her! I didn't think I would at first, but once I understood her, well how can you not love her?
The Augurs were awesome! I enjoyed how their prophecies came to pass, how they annoyed Elias, and I even felt their pain at being unable to ever earn the freedom that Elias was seeking. I also liked how the mystical creatures (wraiths, jinn, etc.) were incorporated, although I'd certainly like to know more about the Nightbringer...
Some questions I still have, who is Cook? What's the truth of her story?
Anyway, I read some negative reviews that said this book was slow... I don't know what book they were reading, but for me, I felt like there was a twist or turn on every third page! Definitely not lacking in action here. The fight scenes were epic, heads roll before you can even blink an eye! The Trials were one crazy twist after another, even Laia's trips to the market were chock full of action! The dread of being caught by the Commandant was enough to keep me biting my lip through most of Laia's narration. There is also a darkness and cruelty evident in the story that just underscores how terrible the world has become under Militia rule. Now obviously from Cook's story we know that Scholar rule wasn't necessarily better, but come on man, can't we all just be friends?? Lol... So overall, just a fabulous read that kept me engrossed the whole way through and deep into every night!
Elias was a fabulous character too, I couldn't help but feel for him. Feeling like an outsider when everyone around him was bloodthirsty. Wanting to honor life rather than cause pain, death, and destruction. I felt his pain for wanting his freedom, I felt his love for Helene, I felt for the his lack of family. I mean, when your own mother harbors nothing but cold resentment and hatred for you, it can't be easy. I especially appreciated his POV after the third trial, his pain and anguish really got me. And then when he and Laia were together, those scenes were kind of magical;
Spoiler
well minus the "rape" scene.And Helene, I really came to love her! I didn't think I would at first, but once I understood her, well how can you not love her?
Spoiler
The love she has for Elias is palpable, and it was heartbreaking how their story unfolded.The Augurs were awesome! I enjoyed how their prophecies came to pass, how they annoyed Elias, and I even felt their pain at being unable to ever earn the freedom that Elias was seeking. I also liked how the mystical creatures (wraiths, jinn, etc.) were incorporated, although I'd certainly like to know more about the Nightbringer...
Some questions I still have, who is Cook? What's the truth of her story?
Spoiler
How did the Lioness betray her, and why is she still at Blackcliff? Who is Elias' father? Why is the Comandant such a stone cold bitch?? Why did everyone completely brush under the rug the fact that Hel saved Laia's life? Where is Darin and will he ever be saved? What will happen to Sana?? How was the Comandant blocking the Augurs from her mind? Why did the Augurs save Laia? What fresh hell will Marcus unleash as Emperor?! Poor Helene...Anyway, I read some negative reviews that said this book was slow... I don't know what book they were reading, but for me, I felt like there was a twist or turn on every third page! Definitely not lacking in action here. The fight scenes were epic, heads roll before you can even blink an eye! The Trials were one crazy twist after another, even Laia's trips to the market were chock full of action! The dread of being caught by the Commandant was enough to keep me biting my lip through most of Laia's narration. There is also a darkness and cruelty evident in the story that just underscores how terrible the world has become under Militia rule. Now obviously from Cook's story we know that Scholar rule wasn't necessarily better, but come on man, can't we all just be friends?? Lol... So overall, just a fabulous read that kept me engrossed the whole way through and deep into every night!
nic55's review against another edition
4.0
Ok yeah I see why this is so popular.
This could've been so so cliche. And while this book definitely treaded familiar territory, Sabaa Tahir did a great job of adding new twists and turns to keep me engaged. Her pacing really made me want to keep turning the pages, and I never felt bored or started zoning out. I ended up really caring about a lot of the major players in this book, particularly Laia which surprised me (I don't have the best streak with main female characters in YA fantasy). There was a lot of depth to their stories, which made them easy to root for or hate, and some aspects left to explore in future books. The world building and fantastical elements were fun too, not super intricate but fleshed out just enough to feel substantial. I will say, the content was darker than I expected...still 100% YA (and handled fairly well) but definitely on the older end.
Now, I'm a romance girlie first and foremost. I was excited to get back into the fun, slightly melodramatic YA fantasy romance space, but it just didn't deliver. I didn't care about literally any of it, specifically the central love triangle/quadrangle/whatever. And I'm really easy to please with these types of romantic subplots, so that was really surprising. There's room for it to grow in future books, but it didn't hit for me at allll in this book.
If I'd read this in middle or high school, I would've eaten this up. Definitely felt like a classic YA fantasy and I had so much fun reading this. I'm interested in the rest of the series for sure, though I don't know how big of a priority it'll be.
This could've been so so cliche. And while this book definitely treaded familiar territory, Sabaa Tahir did a great job of adding new twists and turns to keep me engaged. Her pacing really made me want to keep turning the pages, and I never felt bored or started zoning out. I ended up really caring about a lot of the major players in this book, particularly Laia which surprised me (I don't have the best streak with main female characters in YA fantasy). There was a lot of depth to their stories, which made them easy to root for or hate, and some aspects left to explore in future books. The world building and fantastical elements were fun too, not super intricate but fleshed out just enough to feel substantial. I will say, the content was darker than I expected...still 100% YA (and handled fairly well) but definitely on the older end.
Now, I'm a romance girlie first and foremost. I was excited to get back into the fun, slightly melodramatic YA fantasy romance space, but it just didn't deliver. I didn't care about literally any of it, specifically the central love triangle/quadrangle/whatever. And I'm really easy to please with these types of romantic subplots, so that was really surprising. There's room for it to grow in future books, but it didn't hit for me at allll in this book.
If I'd read this in middle or high school, I would've eaten this up. Definitely felt like a classic YA fantasy and I had so much fun reading this. I'm interested in the rest of the series for sure, though I don't know how big of a priority it'll be.
marionrosa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Torture, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Death of parent, Child death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Emotional abuse
becs_l's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars
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I have heard so many amazing things about this book! Can't wait to read it! Hopefully soon. :D
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I have heard so many amazing things about this book! Can't wait to read it! Hopefully soon. :D