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unavaleriaconpecas's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, War, and Blood
Moderate: Rape, Xenophobia, and Slavery
h0ll0whailey's review
- 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
4.75
I loved the world-building and the lore of the vampires in this book. I enjoyed the lore of a goddess creating vampirism and there being tournaments to the death in honor of her journey in escaping the White Pantheon. The whole setup of this world of Rishan and Hiaj has a lot to do with colonization as well. The Hiaj king, Vincent, literally stole resources from the Rishan after taking their power and also basically kept humans around as walking blood bags and livestock. I always thought it was shady that the human district was called "safe" despite the vampires crawling around thinking they were entitled to their blood and lives.
The writing in this book had me foaming at the mouthhhhhh. some of my favorite lines include:
"Now, I felt nothing when I killed but the satisfaction of a job well done. A mark etched upon the world. That was worth something, to a mortal living amongst immortal beings. A way for me to tell this place, You think my life is worth nothing, but I can still leave a stain on you that can't be washed out."
"Vampires behaved as if every emotion, every impulse, took a bit longer to reach the surface of their skin. But humans? Humans laid it bare. They were loud and expressive and unapologetic. This struck me, strange and confusing. My humanness has been the reason why I'd spent a lifetime dimming myself. For these people, it was the reason why they burned brighter."
"The sudden urge to flatten my palm against his skin, run my hands across all those different textures, nearly overwhelmed me. I'd envied vampires my entire life. But now, for the first time, I felt a sharp pang of sympathy for them. Because suddenly, I understood what it was like to be hungry. It was fucking excruciating."
"We kissed like we fought together, responding to each touch, each movement. We understood each other by now."
My jaw dropped so many times while reading this book because of how good the writing was. I really think the writing really complimented Oraya's character. Brutal and efficient, but with waves of desire and longing.
I love both of the main characters in this book too. There is a line in the book that talks about Oraya being a human with a vampire heart and Raihn a vampire with a human heart. I think this is the reason they work so well with one another. They saw their own desires in each other. Oraya wanted to have power and be a vampire herself. She always saw being human as a weakness and as something to be ashamed of. But Raihn, standing in front of the windowsill at dawn just to see the sunrise even though it hurt him and fitting in so naturally with the humans at the tavern, saw that Oraya was perfect and strong just the way she was. What I really like about Raihn is that despite being a vampire, he didn't let his humanity be stripped away. One great example is how he saved that little girl when Oraya lost consciousness. He could have easily given her up but he made sure she was safe. He isn't cruel or cold like other vampires because he lived his life as a human before being turned while a lot of vampires are born. With Oraya, I love her strength of character. The book
The romance in this book is so so good. I felt the tension was palpable. They started as being rivals and members of enemy clans. Oraya was so wary of him because he was powerful and Rishan. When he asked her to ally with him, she could barely stand in the same room with him. But they started to trust each other after working together to kill vampires in the human slums. Because of this, Oraya grew fond of him. Then we could both see each other bonded after the ally trial. I think this trial was my favorite scene in the book (besides the smut obviouslyyyyy). Reading about them working together so well and showing each other their fears. The fear when both of them are hurt. My heart can't take it I love them. The smutty chapters were actually so heartwarming. Because both of them were the victims of sexual assault, Raihn repeatedly reminded Oraya that she was safe and in control. It actually made me cry. The scene was so full of love passion and tension. ALSO THE SCENE WITH THE BLOOD DRINKING I WAS IN SHAMBLES.
Another character I liked was Miche. I expected her to die and be a character that just served as motivation for Oraya and Raihn. But I honestly got attached to her. She reminds me of Alice from Twilight. Bubbly, bright, positive, and fiery. She is also a really great friend to both Raihn and Oraya and I want to see more of her in the next book. I was expecting her to die but im glad that she was able to get out.
The ending sort of confused me and disappointed me a little I won't lie. I know that Raihn has to rule cruelly, but I hope that he changes things and isn't the ruler that Vincent was. Vincent ruled on the exploitation of Rishan, especially humans. I want Raihn to rule in a better way than Vincent and the other Rishan kings, excluding colonization. I think that he will because he himself is very human and loves humanity. I think that for right now he can't do everything that he wants because his people are ready to betray him. I also know that Oraya is badass and I hope to see her having a lot of action in the next book. I don't think she will but I don't want to see her turned into just a queen to her husband with no autonomy or say of her own. I know they are both on rocky ground together right now, but I hope moving forward in the series, they both create a better kingdom together. I know those bloodborn fuckers are going to cause trouble. But I also can't help but feel bad for them. They were also used by Nyaxia as well as the humans. I'm excited to see where this book series is going. I love the characters a lot and I hope to see more tension and pining in the next book <3333 When Raihn died I was flabbergasted and she gave up her wish for him TT_TT She loves him she doesn't need to say it.
The only other thing I had a critic about in the book is one word that was used. When Raihn is injured and about to do the ally trial, he calls himself crippled. This is a derogatory term and I don't like it. Besides that, I really loved this book and I am excited for the next.
In conclusion, this book ate me out from the back and I felt super satisfied mostly. The ending was a 180 and I felt edged but it's fine. Im excited for the rest of the booooooooks.
Graphic: War, Rape, Classism, Sexual violence, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Blood, Body horror, and Slavery
Minor: Ableism and Xenophobia
ladydeathnesta'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, War, Ableism, Death, Sexual violence, Cursing, Police brutality, Self harm, Sexism, Hate crime, Stalking, Gore, Medical trauma, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Cannibalism, Classism, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Medical content, Confinement, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Bullying, Racial slurs, and Sexual harassment
maregred's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, Body horror, Sexual content, War, and Gore
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Confinement, Colonisation, and Cursing
Minor: Classism, Animal cruelty, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Ableism, Animal death, and Genocide
marinajonesreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Ableism and Slavery
natazabala's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Xenophobia, War, and Violence
karapillar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Physical abuse, Self harm, Stalking, War, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Death of parent, Child death, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Grief, Violence, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Cannibalism, Cursing, Gore, Sexual content, and Body horror
Moderate: Hate crime, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Medical content, Torture, Rape, Xenophobia, and Infidelity
amoiseenko's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Genocide, Vomit, Sexual content, War, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Rape, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Self harm
bergha1998'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
3.25
Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Hunger Games, 2 1/2 🔥
“Finding comfort in all the ways she was like me and all the ways I wished I could be more like her.”
“My father loved me. I knew this. But he loved me in spite of what I was. Loved the parts of me that he could make like him.”
“She was a dreamer. Kind, but soft. She’d rather escape to the world she dreamed of than fight for this one.”
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Genocide, War, Xenophobia, Cursing, Slavery, Torture, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Grief, Body horror, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Death of parent, and Violence
prunechips's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Murder, Genocide, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, War, Colonisation, and Gaslighting