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kylieqrada's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was immediately drawn to this series when I first picked it up, because it's cleverly marketed as a feminist epic fantasy for the #MeToo generation. I super loved the first book, and I did really enjoy this one as well, don't get me wrong. I think that Jenna Glass does an impressive job of recapping the main plot of the first book without making it seem like she's info-dumping, which I really appreciated because it has been a hot minute since I read Women's War. The series is set in a very entertaining world populated with complex and loveable characters, and the multiple POVs add a ton to the narrative, IMHO. I enjoyed the disability/disfigurement conversation, particularly in regards to blindness, but can't speak to the accuracy or sensitivity of the representation. I can say that I did not appreciate the fatphobia in this book, and actually found it quite jarring in such an otherwise diverse and inclusive story. I docked a half star for that, and actually found myself sympathizing with a character that we are certainly not supposed to sympathize with simply because he is discriminated against by the author in such a way. Overall, I enjoyed this installment, but had a few misgivings. I will be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy