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graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Downton Abbey mashed with Indian Bollywood mashed with Djinns.
This is the way that I saw it as I was reading it. It may not be totally representative, but I think it is close.
As a father of two grown daughters...this book made me SO frustrated as I was reading it (not in the way it was written, but because of the actions of some of the supportive characters and the world that Beatrice was living in). If it had been a physical book...it might have been flung across the room. Ugh. The Obtuseness of Beatrice's father, Henrietta, one of the men that could be seen as the main antagonists for the sequence, etc.
As you can see, I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt fatherly affection for the main protagonist, Beatrice and her two main counterparts (un-named here, so as not to spoil any of the great scenes that provided their friendships).
Also, the minor spirit Nadi was such a breathe of fresh air, though at times, as Beatrice also felt, she needed to be reigned in...for her natural desire was to devour every new experience, whether that was cake, alcohol, or experience (without tact, most of the time). She (at least it seemed to have a femine voice, though I'm not totally sure that was said) seemed unbridled by convention of the times.
The wordbuilding was done gradually, but with a deft hand. I was invested in Beatrice's plight. I could see my own daughters in her role...and how I, at this moment in time (and when we were raising them) that we didn't not hold them back, but exhorted them to be WHATEVER they desired, be damned the world and its restrictions.
One of the devices that quells the ability of female magic made me furious. Since I am a HUGE fan of The Wheel of Time...the Seanchan have a "similar" device...and my rage against the idea of this, let alone the implimentation of it...made my blood boil.
And lastly, I want to say that the speech and the way it was done was genius. Also, the response of the collected male Mages was perfect. Ironic in a way.
So well written...and with its ability to "get to me", it was perfectly written for me.
In some ways, I wish there was a sequel, but maybe if there was a sequel...it might diminish the awesomeness of how it ended.
This is the way that I saw it as I was reading it. It may not be totally representative, but I think it is close.
As a father of two grown daughters...this book made me SO frustrated as I was reading it (not in the way it was written, but because of the actions of some of the supportive characters and the world that Beatrice was living in). If it had been a physical book...it might have been flung across the room. Ugh. The Obtuseness of Beatrice's father, Henrietta, one of the men that could be seen as the main antagonists for the sequence, etc.
As you can see, I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt fatherly affection for the main protagonist, Beatrice and her two main counterparts (un-named here, so as not to spoil any of the great scenes that provided their friendships).
Also, the minor spirit Nadi was such a breathe of fresh air, though at times, as Beatrice also felt, she needed to be reigned in...for her natural desire was to devour every new experience, whether that was cake, alcohol, or experience (without tact, most of the time). She (at least it seemed to have a femine voice, though I'm not totally sure that was said) seemed unbridled by convention of the times.
The wordbuilding was done gradually, but with a deft hand. I was invested in Beatrice's plight. I could see my own daughters in her role...and how I, at this moment in time (and when we were raising them) that we didn't not hold them back, but exhorted them to be WHATEVER they desired, be damned the world and its restrictions.
One of the devices that quells the ability of female magic made me furious. Since I am a HUGE fan of The Wheel of Time...the Seanchan have a "similar" device...and my rage against the idea of this, let alone the implimentation of it...made my blood boil.
And lastly, I want to say that the speech and the way it was done was genius. Also, the response of the collected male Mages was perfect. Ironic in a way.
So well written...and with its ability to "get to me", it was perfectly written for me.
In some ways, I wish there was a sequel, but maybe if there was a sequel...it might diminish the awesomeness of how it ended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, and Slavery
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Sexism, and Slavery
clarabooksit's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Slavery
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