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heyashes's review against another edition
4.0
I won't lie, this was almost a DNF about halfway through. The first half of the book is slow, with very little happening. The main character is soft spoken and weak, just going along with what she's told to do. I'm very glad I stuck with it because the story really picks up later in the book, so much so I had trouble putting it down. Waiting on the next book to arrive at my doorstep now, let's hope it keeps up the accelerated pace present at the end of this one.
dariadanley's review against another edition
3.0
This book... I really don't know what to say.
I will make this short since it is so late. I can critique the writing style just because it is translated, so that wouldn't be fair. But I found the beginning to be so dang boring. It dragged on and on until about the halfway point, and even then it didn't grip my attention.
The premise is very interesting and maybe I will give the next book a shot, who knows at this point.
I really did not connect with the characters. I don't think I liked a single one, just because I didn't know a single one. I really felt a disconnect with this book. I was expecting to love it, but it really fell short.
Maybe the series gets better? Maybe the second installment will be on my TBR soon enough.
I will make this short since it is so late. I can critique the writing style just because it is translated, so that wouldn't be fair. But I found the beginning to be so dang boring. It dragged on and on until about the halfway point, and even then it didn't grip my attention.
The premise is very interesting and maybe I will give the next book a shot, who knows at this point.
I really did not connect with the characters. I don't think I liked a single one, just because I didn't know a single one. I really felt a disconnect with this book. I was expecting to love it, but it really fell short.
Maybe the series gets better? Maybe the second installment will be on my TBR soon enough.
starcake's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
wuchtorff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
riroreads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Very good world building and fascinating characters. Fast read!
I hope they do something about the patriarchy/smash classes in the next books.
Very good world building and fascinating characters. Fast read!
I hope they do something about the patriarchy/smash classes in the next books.
michalaandersen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
flintlocklane's review against another edition
3.5
hahahaha what was this????
this was one of the strangest books I’ve read. The worldbuilding reminded me of His Dark Materials but with more randomness and whimsy than calculated criticism. Many of the important plot points seemingly came out of nowhere, as if made up as the author went along. A lot of the dialogue and syntax was clunky, which could be the translation, but it wasn’t great nevertheless.
All the characters were terrible people. Like actually terrible; both the protagonists and antagonists, doing and saying horrible things to each other. They’re all incredibly misogynistic for some reason. I didn’t know what to think, though at least Thorn grew on me by the end. “My Treasury needs me”— he’s hilarious. Ophelia was an okay protagonist, but nearly as unlikeable as everybody else. The beginning was especially tough as I oriented myself through the worldbuilding and strange voice of this world, which wasn’t really helped by how solitary the narrator was.
I may keep reading just to see where this goes bc WOW. At least now I’ve started to appreciate the disorienting vibe, though I don’t know if it is intentional or not.
this was one of the strangest books I’ve read. The worldbuilding reminded me of His Dark Materials but with more randomness and whimsy than calculated criticism. Many of the important plot points seemingly came out of nowhere, as if made up as the author went along. A lot of the dialogue and syntax was clunky, which could be the translation, but it wasn’t great nevertheless.
All the characters were terrible people. Like actually terrible; both the protagonists and antagonists, doing and saying horrible things to each other. They’re all incredibly misogynistic for some reason. I didn’t know what to think, though at least Thorn grew on me by the end. “My Treasury needs me”— he’s hilarious. Ophelia was an okay protagonist, but nearly as unlikeable as everybody else. The beginning was especially tough as I oriented myself through the worldbuilding and strange voice of this world, which wasn’t really helped by how solitary the narrator was.
I may keep reading just to see where this goes bc WOW. At least now I’ve started to appreciate the disorienting vibe, though I don’t know if it is intentional or not.
nijuichi's review against another edition
4.0
This book stayed on my shelf for a very long time, I had a certain idea of the story and therefore I never found a good time to begin my reading. Thanks to the « cold winter challenge » I finally had the chance and pleasure to read this book.
Initially, I didn’t know what to expect. The story was a little slow for me and I had a priori regarding the characters especially Ophelie made decisions that annoyed me a little. Nevertheless, I decided to keep reading and I loved this first volume, this universe and all these different families forced to walk out with each other. This first book was very addictive and offered a nice vision of what the author had in mind. My only hurry now is to read the next one asap!!
Spoilers: Maybe I was the only one but I felt kind of connected with Thorn - I feel that he didn’t totally deserve all the hatred Ophelie feels for him (at the end of the book). I understand she felt betrayed and want revenge but I’m hoping to see this two getting along better in the next book.
Initially, I didn’t know what to expect. The story was a little slow for me and I had a priori regarding the characters especially Ophelie made decisions that annoyed me a little. Nevertheless, I decided to keep reading and I loved this first volume, this universe and all these different families forced to walk out with each other. This first book was very addictive and offered a nice vision of what the author had in mind. My only hurry now is to read the next one asap!!
Spoilers: Maybe I was the only one but I felt kind of connected with Thorn - I feel that he didn’t totally deserve all the hatred Ophelie feels for him (at the end of the book). I understand she felt betrayed and want revenge but I’m hoping to see this two getting along better in the next book.
robyn_flames's review against another edition
4.0
Ci ho messo un bel po’ per finire questo libro.
Lo avevo iniziato in versione audiolibro, però mi annoiava e lo avevo interrotto, poi ho deciso di ricominciarlo e ho preso la versione in eBook.
L’inizio l’ho trovato sempre noioso ma andando avanti con la lettura ha iniziato ad appassionarmi.
La trama è molto intrigante ed i personaggi molto interessanti.
A parte l’inizio è stata una bella lettura, sicuramente leggerò il sequel
Lo avevo iniziato in versione audiolibro, però mi annoiava e lo avevo interrotto, poi ho deciso di ricominciarlo e ho preso la versione in eBook.
L’inizio l’ho trovato sempre noioso ma andando avanti con la lettura ha iniziato ad appassionarmi.
La trama è molto intrigante ed i personaggi molto interessanti.
A parte l’inizio è stata una bella lettura, sicuramente leggerò il sequel
feyley's review against another edition
5.0
at the end of this book, i kept looking for the rest of the chapter not believing that it could have been left at such a cliff hanger. while this book has a slower pace than most i read, it builds the plot so quietly that you hardly notice until it is screaming in your face. this is a well-made web of political intrigue and i can't wait to enjoy the rest of the series just as much.