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zoeswiftbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death
risingsunreads'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? No
5.0
The book follows the story of Kiva Merridan, how she ended up in the prison and the past 10 years of her life in there. The stuff she’s had to sustain and survive through. When Jaron, a prisoner who is sent there takes a liking to her and the rebel queen who is deathly sick arrives and has to take place in the trials by ordeal. Strong and determined Kiva takes her place.
I love the characters in this book from strong willed Kiva to a determined Jaren and tipp’s giddy character. Each having an important role in the plot and I love Naari’s character to being described as an ‘amber-eyed woman’, how she has authority and doesn’t hesitate to argue with the male guards.
I loved the plot of this book and how everything isn’t what it seems and how each trial isn’t as easy as it looks and how you think it’s going to turn out. I love the subplots of slow burn romance, magical elements and unexpected loyalty between a group of strangers. The plot moved fast following each of the trials by ordeals which made it an easy read.
If you like magical fantasy, loyalty between a group of strangers, royalty elements then this is for you! I can’t describe how much I loved reading this book and I’m really excited to see the story continue in the second book.
(if you’re after reading this I’d look up the trigger warnings as there’s quite a few in here that are either mildly or briefly mentioned.)
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Addiction, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
kelliejean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death of parent
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, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
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)jolovestoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Medical content
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment
kayxbooks's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, and Death of parent
sairahparvez's review against another edition
- 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? N/A
4.25
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
mybookishlife2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The twists, the turns!!!!! One of them I knew about but the rest!? 😭😭😭 I highly recommend it but do look out for the trigger warnings!!! This was just fantastic. Definitely one of my new favorites.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Self harm, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Rape, and Sexual assault
dariusmortee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is why I said I did find the characters to be loveable.
Kiva herself wasn’t the worst main character but I think she could’ve been better. Jaren annoyed me.
I did enjoy reading this book! Although it really does fall into some tropes it is an orginal story. A story with a very dark undertone, for which I am a sucker. I am curious to how this story proceeds and will be buying the second one, but I am however also scared for the clichés it could possibly walk into.
Overall: good story, loved the side characters but it has to watch out not to fall into the clichés.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Murder