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berglindsh'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Torture, Confinement, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Self harm and Vomit
Minor: Drug use
tkatt20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Im kind of lost on what I feel about this book. It was good, but I tend to be a detective when reading, so I was searching for every plot twist and I solved 90% of this book within the first 50 or so pages. That didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book, it just made it seem very slow paced for me when I usually like quicker fantasy novels. The premise and the storyline was very interesting, I lost a little on the world building, but considering the entire book is set in a prison that the MC arrived at when she was 7, it kind of makes sense. The characters were interesting enough to hold my attention, and for being only 17, the MC was very mature and resourceful. I would have loved to see more of the side characters and some of the little details of the Prison more fleshed out but it was alright. Everything was mostly saved by the ending in my opinion.
If you're the type of person who doesn't search for plot twists and just wants a fun and quick read then this would be perfect for you. This checks off all the boxes of a basic YA fantasy and it was definitely worth the time. The ending was amazing and I hope the next one does more in terms of world building.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Torture, Violence, Sexual assault, Slavery, Mental illness, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Medical content, Physical abuse, Vomit, Chronic illness, and Addiction
Minor: Sexism, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Bullying, and Child death
andatherrin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder and Medical content
Moderate: Torture, Sexual harassment, and Self harm
Minor: Vomit
proseandpurls'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Torture
Moderate: Rape, Vomit, Terminal illness, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Self harm, and Physical abuse
sarahsbookss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Vomit
khloereads86's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Addiction
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Vomit
ode_to_readers's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe not as good as the first time but that's because I knew all the twists this time. However, I loved all the foreshadowing and reading with the knowledge of what will happen. Its a whole different way of reading the story
_____________
THAT ENDING ONGOMGOMGOMG THIS STORY OMGOMGOMGOGM.
If I could erase my memory just so I can re-read this book, I would. And I would do it 100 more times. This story is everything I ever love about reading. It’s dark but has the most amazing characters with the wittiest and dry sense of humour. So many secrets to uncover and so many different storylines- from the trials to finding the cure for the sickness.
And the ENDING. No spoilers don’t worry but THE AUTHOR JUST HITS YOU WITH SO MANY PLOT TWISTS IN THE LAST FEW PAGES. And not even in the last few pages but towards the end too. I literally <i>gasped</i> out loud at one- so loud my parents were like wtf you okay? And NO IM NOT because I read so many books that you kind of start to see where the story goes and predict some twists BUT NOT THESE ONES. Like maybe a few thoughts passed through my mind but I was like naaaaah that doesn’t seem likely but then WHAM it happens and I’m still like :00000
So it seems like this author is besties with Sarah J Maas and SJM is my favourite author so honestly if you love Throne of Glass as much as I do and her other books, give this series a try too. It is so worth it and this book was my most anticipated read for this year, so I’m thrilled I have the Fairyloot edition of it too because it’s so pretty 😍 AND AND AND the sequel is already set to come this year so it’s perfect. SO READ THIS.
Moderate: Blood, Addiction, Torture, and Child death
Minor: Vomit, Murder, Death of parent, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Sexual harassment, and Drug abuse
astralbooks's review against another edition
- 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: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Vomit
There is a brief scene where (CW drug abuse, sexual assualt, & accidental necrophilia)louise_o's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, and Self harm
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Medical content, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
larainsidebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There is so much in here than just being in a prison for 10 years. There are mysteries to be solved, the past that haunts you, a hope of being rescued, a rebel movement rising (both inside and outside of prison) and Kiva is just in the middle of all of it. And then Jaren shows up. He is kind, considerate, protective and everything else you could imagine about a potential
I loved Naari and Kiva as characters. Kiva is so layered and I love the way she thinks. As the prison healer, she is responsible for the lives of new inmates, as well as for everyone else who gets hurt or ill. The stomach virus isn't exactly helping, and it's no surprise that the problems she faces just keep piling up. Especially with the arrival of the Rebel Queen, who Kiva must keep alive (for various reasons).
Like this all isn't enough, Kiva volunteers to take her place to fight for their lives in the Trial by Ordeal, which means if Kiva wins, they are both free. However, if Kiva fails, the Queen dies.
The whole plot about the Trials was less interesting to me, as I was sure that Kiva could make it, but I was more intrigued about the mysterious sickness that was spreading through the prison.
Kiva's backstory was so wonderfully explained, through flashbacks and her tender conversations with Jaren. I loved how the author didn't shy away from discussing heavy topics like addictions, grief and self-harm. All of that really added to the story in the best way possible.
MY SPOILER THOUGHTS BELOW
AZGWAGFZFHAFH THE REBEL QUEEN IS KIVA'S MOTHER AFAZVBAFVH
this explains why she wanted to hear the story about Kiva's father again
I also can't imagine how hard it must've been for Kiva to try to keep her alive, not just because Cresta threathened her, but because she was her mother!!!
I have to say, Jaren's identity was constantly in the back of my mind, but even when I was almost sure that he was the prince, when he saved Kiva during the Trial by Water, I suspected that he was just some "anomaly", as he said that there could be people not of the royal bloodline who had the powers!
Also, the fact that Jaren (can't and won't stop calling him that) goes by his middle name in the prison and that only friends and family call him that makes me think of Poppy and Hawke (From Blood and Ash)!
As for Kiva's powers, since she was the healer and the moment they were discussing the two bloodlines with different powers, something in the back of my mind stirred and whispered: "Could this mean something for Kiva??" Of course I forgot about that so I was still shocked when her true origin was revealed. Even if I figured that she must have healing magic, I would've considered her not of royal blood, so that made the final reveal even more shocking!
I knew going into this that I can expect plot twists and I imagined something with an identity switch, but even knowing that, this book really shocked me!
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Torture
Minor: Addiction, Grief, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Vomit