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anna_lmh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: War, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Violence, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Addiction
tkatt20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Im kind of lost on what I feel about this book. It was good, but I tend to be a detective when reading, so I was searching for every plot twist and I solved 90% of this book within the first 50 or so pages. That didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book, it just made it seem very slow paced for me when I usually like quicker fantasy novels. The premise and the storyline was very interesting, I lost a little on the world building, but considering the entire book is set in a prison that the MC arrived at when she was 7, it kind of makes sense. The characters were interesting enough to hold my attention, and for being only 17, the MC was very mature and resourceful. I would have loved to see more of the side characters and some of the little details of the Prison more fleshed out but it was alright. Everything was mostly saved by the ending in my opinion.
If you're the type of person who doesn't search for plot twists and just wants a fun and quick read then this would be perfect for you. This checks off all the boxes of a basic YA fantasy and it was definitely worth the time. The ending was amazing and I hope the next one does more in terms of world building.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Torture, Violence, Sexual assault, Slavery, Mental illness, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Medical content, Physical abuse, Vomit, Chronic illness, and Addiction
Minor: Sexism, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Bullying, and Child death
sarahjacobs1122's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Self harm, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
alexandragriffin's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Torture, Rape, and Death
Moderate: Self harm and Drug abuse
Holocaust, crematoriumschamaeleontis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The one nit-picky thing was a plot point I personally didn't like, which is why it's 4.75, rather than 5.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves fantasy but is sick of repetitive plots. There's a few common tropes, but they are well done, with unique takes. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Torture, Violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Sexual violence, Drug use, Terminal illness, War, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Animal cruelty, Blood, Ableism, Misogyny, Slavery, Medical content, and Sexism
smedette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Kiva Meridan is 17 years old and has spent the last decade in Zalindov, the notorious prison of Wenderall Kingdoms. She is the prison's healer, taking up the position after her father's death just a year after their arrival in Zalindov as traitors to the crown. Part of her duties is to assess each new prisoner and carve the letter Z into their hand, to mark them for life.
Then the Rebel Queen is captured and is delivered to Zalindov. She is in no condition to face her Trial by Ordeal, a series of "elemental" challenges (air, fire, water, and earth) and Kiva surprises everyone by agreeing to stand in the Rebel Queen's place.
While Kiva prepares for each challenge, she must also care for onslaught of patients as a mysterious illness begins spreading through the prison. She has very few allies as Kiva has learned to be protective of herself and her feelings, but she must learn to trust people if she is to learn the origin of the illness and survive the Ordeals.
There were a few predictable twists, but just because I knew where something was going didn't mean I didn't enjoy the ride. This book is fast paced and well-written. That last twist (literally the last page) was excellent and is setting up the readers for quite the showdown in the next installment.
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, and Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
sienas_books's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Child death
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, War, Suicide, Slavery, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
rubyroses's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Child death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Rape, and Self harm
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
kelliejean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Blood, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide
astralbooks'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? No
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Vomit
There is a brief scene where (CW drug abuse, sexual assualt, & accidental necrophilia)