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esterslibrary's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Violence, Murder, Cannibalism, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
zoe_faith's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The intensity of fantasy themes within this novel does grip you until the end. However, the unfolding narrative and continuous plot twists make it a monotonous read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Vomit
ev_ve's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
The plot twists WILL alter your brain chemistry. Be ready for everything to change in a split second
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Vomit, Blood, Cursing, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Death of parent
kotashomelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, War, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
scribesquadrant_sierra's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Overall Rating: (2.5/5 stars)
Spice Rating: (0.25/5 peppers)
Summary: Every 100 years Lightlark, an island that hosts a deadly game, appears for the rules of the six realms to compete in a deadly game to free the mysterious curses that have plagued their land. Isla, the Wildling ruler, is unlike the rest of the realm rulers. She doesn’t have magic to offer…or to protect her. This book follows her journey filled with curses, magic, books, and romance.
What I loved:
-Not much. This book was difficult to read.
What I hated:
-Isla, the FMC. She is one of the most unintelligent FMC I’ve ever read.
-The story. The game rules are confusing in some cases and repetitive in others. Not only that, Isla keeps breaking the rules and no one seems to care at all.
-The love triangle that doesn’t work.
-The romance. It seems awkward and forced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Cannibalism
Minor: Vomit and Fire/Fire injury
bronzel's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Vomit, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cannibalism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
barbiedreamlibrary's review
adventurous
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
3.5
I actually enjoyed the book, keep in mind its geared towards YA/new adult. It does have a cookie cutter character trope, but I did enjoy the romance/love triangle aspect. Upon reflection with this story, there are plot holes and the story would certainly benefit from a better editor. I liked the overall concept of the book and the plot twist at the end. The book was easy to read and she did a good job at world building, but I do wish she could flesh out the supporting characters a bit more. (Justice for poor Azul!) However, It was a quick enough read that I could overlook these opportunities that the author and publisher have with this series and I will definitely read the sequel.
The story is about a young royal from the Wilding court named Isla who is sent to participate in essentially a 100 day fantasy version of The Hunger Games. This event is named the Centennial and it involves 6 different realms that attempt over the 100 day period to break a curse that was put upon them 500 (?) years ago with the premise that one of them is supposed to die in order to save the other realms. Each realm has a different curse that affects their abilities in different ways and thus how they participate in the Centennial. However, to add a wrench to the Wildling's strategy: Isla has no powers. There's different trials that each realm ruler puts on that are supposed to help assess who they think should be sacrificed at the end of the 100 days. Throughout the book Isla makes friends and enemies with the different rulers, in addition to taking part in different side missions that ends up in a crazy plot twist.
The story is about a young royal from the Wilding court named Isla who is sent to participate in essentially a 100 day fantasy version of The Hunger Games. This event is named the Centennial and it involves 6 different realms that attempt over the 100 day period to break a curse that was put upon them 500 (?) years ago with the premise that one of them is supposed to die in order to save the other realms. Each realm has a different curse that affects their abilities in different ways and thus how they participate in the Centennial. However, to add a wrench to the Wildling's strategy: Isla has no powers. There's different trials that each realm ruler puts on that are supposed to help assess who they think should be sacrificed at the end of the 100 days. Throughout the book Isla makes friends and enemies with the different rulers, in addition to taking part in different side missions that ends up in a crazy plot twist.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Violence
Minor: Genocide
tiffanyfreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.75
I came into this with an open mind and make an opinion myself on this book. I felt like the pacing was off because so little was happening then all these twists came at the end. There were several plot holes I noticed which took me out of the story. I think this would be appealing for those who are dipping their toes into fantasy but it just wasn’t the right book for me.
early on part of Isla’s supposed curse is the heart eating but of course we know she has no powers (or we thought so until plot twist) so how does she just eat chocolate with Grim and that isn’t weird. Cause that just gives away her secret to him. I also don’t fully like this memory erasing and the twists cause it just felt very strange. Grim felt so icky and then this romance with Oro is weird. The whole YA love triangle thing needs to end. I know teens can’t make decisions but can we just stop with it. I also just feel like this book definitely reads YA but I would say this is more NA so I wish we could make that distinction. Isla is supposed to be 19 so I don’t get why we have 19 year olds as YA leads what happened to a 16 year old. Leave those who are above 18 to the NA category. Anyway rant over just too many holes that I couldn’t get past
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
bekahzabel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.25
Happy that I finally read it myself to see where all the hype is coming from.
The good: The characters are likeable, it’s fast paced, high stakes, has some pretty good plot twists in the mix.
The bad: I felt like the world building was quite lacking. The setting could’ve been even more immersive with some more attention to detail regarding the imagery. I also felt like the plot had holes and couldn’t choose a direction at multiple points.
A 3 star read with a 4 star ending. I’ll continue on in the series, but it didn’t leave an insane impression on me.
The good: The characters are likeable, it’s fast paced, high stakes, has some pretty good plot twists in the mix.
The bad: I felt like the world building was quite lacking. The setting could’ve been even more immersive with some more attention to detail regarding the imagery. I also felt like the plot had holes and couldn’t choose a direction at multiple points.
A 3 star read with a 4 star ending. I’ll continue on in the series, but it didn’t leave an insane impression on me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
shellbell_04's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
Not gonna lie-love a good sun boi VS shadow daddy trope
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Genocide