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myenchantedarchives's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was quite a departure from Brandon Sanderson's usual style (romance not being his typical genre), but I think he did it beautifully! Yumi and Painter were characters I ended up really enjoying, especially their interactions with each other.
It took a few chapters for me to get fully immersed, but once I was hooked, there was no turning back!
The world-building, as always with Sanderson, was superb. While this novel was a bit lower stakes compared to other Cosmere works, the last quarter was particularly engaging and action-packed.
The ending left me torn - a part of me wished for a happily ever after, while another part felt a different conclusion would be more fitting. Either way, I think I would have felt conflicted, but that's not a negative aspect!
Familiarity with Sanderson's other works is beneficial as you may catch some fun references, but it's not essential to appreciate this standalone novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Gaslighting
breathehopebooks's review against another edition
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Genocide, and Violence
danajoy's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
3.25
This is only my second Brandon Sanderson, my first being Tress of the Emerald Sea. I didn't enjoy this one as much. The body switching shenanigans felt very YA or New Adult to me which I wasn't expecting. The romance element itself didn't really get me either, unfortunately.
It was fun having Hoid as a narrator again, he was explained a lot more in Tress.
I did love the contrasting worlds and the way they were both built. The atmosphere of each place was so intriguing. The manga inspiration was very clear and I can imagine the story would translate very well to an anime adaptation.
I was very proud to have recognised that Your Name was part of the inspiration. This also seems to have a pretty clear anti-AI 'art' stance.
Overall I didn't feel particularly connected to this story. I enjoyed the concepts but didn't feel particularly motivated to read more - which was the opposite of how I felt about Tress. I don't think the tropes in this one suited my interests as much. It is a well written fantasy story so if you like the combination of moody and disciplined teen protagonists then give this a go.
It was fun having Hoid as a narrator again, he was explained a lot more in Tress.
I did love the contrasting worlds and the way they were both built. The atmosphere of each place was so intriguing. The manga inspiration was very clear and I can imagine the story would translate very well to an anime adaptation.
I was very proud to have recognised that Your Name was part of the inspiration. This also seems to have a pretty clear anti-AI 'art' stance.
Overall I didn't feel particularly connected to this story. I enjoyed the concepts but didn't feel particularly motivated to read more - which was the opposite of how I felt about Tress. I don't think the tropes in this one suited my interests as much. It is a well written fantasy story so if you like the combination of moody and disciplined teen protagonists then give this a go.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Confinement
asahome's review against another edition
4.25
Two people trade lives as they sleep leading to an understanding of their own world as well as each other's worlds.
I found the narrator's bits highly distracting. In many ways, it threw me out of the story and I couldn't justify the interactions.
I found the narrator's bits highly distracting. In many ways, it threw me out of the story and I couldn't justify the interactions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Gaslighting and Confinement:sandwiiche's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.75
i happened to stumble across it in the library and just couldn't resist trying out one of brando sando's books. i never expected this one to be the first one tho, considering i own the entire mistborn trilogy (i'll get to it, i promise 🫢)
anyway, this was utterly charming! i loved the story and the characters so much. they were relatable and heartfelt, and their struggles felt realistic. i adored the vividness of the world and all of the colour imagery -- it really helped me visualise and imagine the world in my head.
another good thing about this book is that it's a standalone -- so u don't need to be familiar w/ the cosmere to understand what's happening! yea, there were a few references that i didn't understand, but it didn't impede my understanding of the narrative. i highly recommend this book if u enjoy
• character driven story with a fun storyline
• a very slow burn romance
• cool magic systems
• pretty obvious themes, but written in a very realistic and relatable way (ESPECIALLY as an artist)
this will certainly be a story i'll be returning to in the future (💸), and i am so excited to read the rest of sanderson's books
anyway, this was utterly charming! i loved the story and the characters so much. they were relatable and heartfelt, and their struggles felt realistic. i adored the vividness of the world and all of the colour imagery -- it really helped me visualise and imagine the world in my head.
another good thing about this book is that it's a standalone -- so u don't need to be familiar w/ the cosmere to understand what's happening! yea, there were a few references that i didn't understand, but it didn't impede my understanding of the narrative. i highly recommend this book if u enjoy
• character driven story with a fun storyline
• a very slow burn romance
• cool magic systems
• pretty obvious themes, but written in a very realistic and relatable way (ESPECIALLY as an artist)
this will certainly be a story i'll be returning to in the future (💸), and i am so excited to read the rest of sanderson's books
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
gopanini's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Bullying and Death
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
This book was recommended to me by at least two different people, and I can see why! The only Brandon Sanderson I've read before this is the Skyward series and Mistborn, but you don't have to have read other Sanderson to jump into this book. I think there are some connections to other books, but the story works if you don't pick up on those.
I listened to this, so I'm definitely going to have to pick up a physical copy just to look at the art. From the world building to the characterization to the narration, I don't think there was anything about this I didn't love. The little comments throughout from the narrators were great. The audiobook narrators also do an excellent job bringing the story to life!
Listening to Sanderson explain why this might be his favorite book he's written and the reasoning behind it also just adds to the book, in my opinion. If you like manga, this is very heavily manga inspired, and though I'm still just getting into the manga scene, even I could see that influence on the story. And it's so enjoyable!
I have Tress of the Emerald Sea also on hold, so this has made me excited to listen to that!
I listened to this, so I'm definitely going to have to pick up a physical copy just to look at the art. From the world building to the characterization to the narration, I don't think there was anything about this I didn't love. The little comments throughout from the narrators were great. The audiobook narrators also do an excellent job bringing the story to life!
Listening to Sanderson explain why this might be his favorite book he's written and the reasoning behind it also just adds to the book, in my opinion. If you like manga, this is very heavily manga inspired, and though I'm still just getting into the manga scene, even I could see that influence on the story. And it's so enjoyable!
I have Tress of the Emerald Sea also on hold, so this has made me excited to listen to that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Bullying, and Body horror
Minor: Violence, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
readandfindout's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Stye/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Body horror, and Bullying
Minor: Violence
luckykosmos's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I did love where this ended and the conclusion of the individual arcs, but compared to the other Sandos I've read, the plots meandered a bit more and had a slightly harder time meshing together. Still a fun read that showed a different kind of storytelling from him!
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement and Violence
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Violence