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lktx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- Interesting world full of ice and snow, dark and very obviously inspired by Russia. I also loved the addition of Adaman, inspired by Mongolia.
- Love that the YA trope of the hero’s birth was flipped on its head and it felt like watching the birth of a villain.
- The love interest is a nice departure from genre tropes–no love triangles or anything except two teens into each other but having a really hard time admitting it to the other, for their own reasons that make sense.
- I thought the middle/Act 2 dragged a lot and it made me wonder if the book was originally too long and got cut into a duology.
- Aforementioned stereotypical antagonist.
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, and Violence
karapillar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Stalking, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Animal death, Blood, Abandonment, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, and Violence
zghutcheson01's review
- 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: Genocide, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
shadesofkate26's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Genocide
Minor: Blood
egurgens's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Slavery, Trafficking, Torture, Violence, and War
jupiterlee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It wasn't folklore heavy and whether that is a good thing or a bad thing will entirely depend on individual taste, but for me it was enough. It was a unique concept for me and it really was a great introduction to this type of folklore for me.
As a fantasy book however I did feel that some world building was missing, but it was made up with action from the start. It was a fast pace book that focused on the plot and nearer the end we started learning a bit more about some of the characters. I did find myself taking a break from it though as I did feel in the middle it dragged a little: this isn't the type of book that should haven't taken me two weeks to read. However by the end I was totally hooked again and I look forward to seeing the fate of these characters.
Moderate: Genocide, War, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Death, and Blood