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andremay's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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? No
2.75
First things first, the plot has potential, but the book relies solely on unnecessary verbosity writing-wise, which annoyed the hell out of me. This was 542 pages of so many words with almost no information whatsoever. It could very well be put next to the definition of “all tell, no show”. All I know could be summoned up easily in just 50 pages, and if it continues like this, the whole trilogy could have easily been just one book, but I still have hope that the next one would be better (or maybe I’m just as oblivious as Robin when it comes to the betrayer).
Like, seriously, everybody saw it coming except for him (who has been warned by said everybody). Exhibit A:
“Maybe he has changed.”
“People change, monsters stay the same.”
In this aspect, it does read like ACOTAR (which, in hindsight, should have warned me to lower my expectations to see this coming from miles away, but oh well… I’ve never claimed to not be a fool, in comparison with Robin).
The characters also fell pretty flat. For a book this long, I expected at least the tiniest bit of character development already, or something to connect with them, but they were distant and not that interesting. Only Erix spiked my curiosity towards the end with his yet untold (for once) backstory, and he isn’t even the main character here.
Although the end did make my heart ache for the characters, I don’t know how much it was the writing starting to pick up while twisting a knife in my chest cavity, and how much it can be attributed to me generally being more sensitive (and having an especially weak spot for queer agony).
*Additionally, you’re telling me Gideon was swapped with Erix?? Should have gone with the first name choice fr
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Torture
athenathestorier's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Sexual content, Violence, Gore, and Confinement
Minor: War and Torture
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