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ansleymg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don’t like Séverin. He was selfish and solely motivated by becoming the head of his house. When he wasn’t worried about that, he was concerned with Laila and her lips, to the point where it killed his best friend
I do however, love Zofia and Hypnos with my whole heart. Zofia is a wonderfully written autistic character. I was concerned about the rest of the team infantilizing her, as that is a common occurrence, but this never really happened. Laila took care to make sure Zofia was getting what she needed in the way she needed it. If that meant ignoring Zofia until she was ready to talk or just baking and laying out her favorite cookies, she did it. If that meant finding dresses that are comfortable, symmetrical, or covered in embroidery for the sole purpose of Zofia counting the stitches, that’s what Laila would do. I love the relationship that the two girls had and how complex they both were.
Hypnos:While he doesn’t say it outright really ever (though he gets close in one conversation) all he really wanted was friends. It breaks my heart that he was once friends with Séverin when they were young and he was willing to risk his life and his role as head of house to get that back even if he wouldn’t admit it. The fact that he said out loud if he joined in the fray he would die and jumped in anyways. All he wanted was acceptance in a world where being of “mixed blood” automatically makes you a target for suspicion and exile. He grows so much throughout the book and I love his arc.
The plot is good. I love myself a good heist, especially when we don’t know all the details of their plans before they happen. But truly it’s these characters that made me love this book.
I do however, love Zofia and Hypnos with my whole heart. Zofia is a wonderfully written autistic character. I was concerned about the rest of the team infantilizing her, as that is a common occurrence, but this never really happened. Laila took care to make sure Zofia was getting what she needed in the way she needed it. If that meant ignoring Zofia until she was ready to talk or just baking and laying out her favorite cookies, she did it. If that meant finding dresses that are comfortable, symmetrical, or covered in embroidery for the sole purpose of Zofia counting the stitches, that’s what Laila would do. I love the relationship that the two girls had and how complex they both were.
Hypnos:
The plot is good. I love myself a good heist, especially when we don’t know all the details of their plans before they happen. But truly it’s these characters that made me love this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
rtaire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Racism, and Antisemitism
carolined314's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Team heist/romp in fantastical world. A bit of Indiana Jones puzzle thrown in. Felt a little rushed, chaotic, deus ex for me, but certainly fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Violence
judesbxtch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
how do i even start..to say it simply, it’s a masterpiece! this is one of the most talented authors i’ve ever seen..her skill and intelligence is so evident in the pages that you can’t help but admire..the characters are their own entities and work well alone and together..super cool plot..i’ve got to say for me, personally, it was kinda slow at times because there are a lot of descriptions but it’s so beautifully described that you feel you are part of that world completely
anyway to conclude, HIGHLY RECOMMEND 4.75⭐️
-found family
-heist
-angsty romance
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, and Xenophobia
Minor: Ableism and Slavery
bdingz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book has an ensemble of character and the principal protagonist, Séverin, is the least interesting of them all. I hope the future books focus more on the others because I like them far more.
Overall, I liked this book but didn’t love it. I started by listening to the audiobook, but I switched to a physical copy (The narrators of the audiobook gave every character a fake French accent. This was grating and at times impeded by understanding of the dialogue and therefore, the story). The ending dragged a tad bit. That said, I love the world Chokshi built and I may read further.
Overall, I liked this book but didn’t love it. I started by listening to the audiobook, but I switched to a physical copy (The narrators of the audiobook gave every character a fake French accent. This was grating and at times impeded by understanding of the dialogue and therefore, the story). The ending dragged a tad bit. That said, I love the world Chokshi built and I may read further.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Racism and Antisemitism
erins_bookshelf_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Oh my god this was so good
I need the next one like now
TRISTAN DIED??? I LOVED HIM NO :(
That thing with the birds was a bit creepy but I’m assuming Tristan had some kind of mind issue because of that stupid Phobus Helmet so I can’t blame him :(
The action and story of this were incredible I’m really glad I finally picked this up
I got it from my library so I need to buy it but I will be getting the next two from the library I need to know what happens next
I need the next one like now
That thing with the birds was a bit creepy but I’m assuming Tristan had some kind of mind issue because of that stupid Phobus Helmet so I can’t blame him :(
The action and story of this were incredible I’m really glad I finally picked this up
I got it from my library so I need to buy it but I will be getting the next two from the library I need to know what happens next
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism and Antisemitism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, and Sexual content
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I usually don't like comparing books to other books because most times they can't live up to the expectations.
This book however reminded me so much of some of my favourite books:
- a found family that reminded me a lot of Six of Crows (especially Kaz & Séverin!)
- a magical Order reminding me a lot of the Shadowhunters
- tattooed vows that reminded me of ACOTAR
- great unique gifts that reminded me of Raybearer
and somehow while reminding me of so many other books and series this book managed to stay unique.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait for the sequel. The only reason I'm not quite giving it 5 stars is the ending & Séverins behaviour in the end.. Careful: BIG SPOILERS AHEAD! I get that he is hurt and grieving but what he said to Laila is in my opinion pretty unforgivable.. He knew how insecure she was about that and still he said it and didn't even apologise.. so so shitty!! The are both hurt but she did they right thing and overcame her fears while he was just an asshole.
I generally really liked Séverin throughout the book but this just didn't stick right with me..
Also what happened to Tristan was so unexpected and super sad. I usually get emotional very easily while reading but I didn't cry this time. I was sad but not THAT sad. That is also one of the reasons I decided to not give the book 5 stars. It didn't manage to ruin me..
I guess I did like the characters but I wasn't really attached to any of them. I do like though that the other is not afraid of killing of her main characters.
Also I really liked Laila and I think her POV was also always the most interesting to me. I really hope she will stay kind even after what happened because in one of the last chapters we get to see the new her and I have to say I don't like it. She carries her hurt around like a blade and that is so unlike her.
What I probably enjoyed most about this book was the scenery. Paris 1889 but with magic and secret societies.
I still have a lot of questions about the magic system and general world building but I hope that will all be clearer to me when I read the sequels.
I also really enjoyed the Authors Note at the end. What the author said about the Exposition Universelle and "La Belle Epoque" was really interesting. I like that she said you cannot just take the good and ignore the bad and I think you can definitely see that in the book as well. It has the glamour but also the seriousness which you already know I love in my books :)
This book however reminded me so much of some of my favourite books:
- a found family that reminded me a lot of Six of Crows (especially Kaz & Séverin!)
- a magical Order reminding me a lot of the Shadowhunters
- tattooed vows that reminded me of ACOTAR
- great unique gifts that reminded me of Raybearer
and somehow while reminding me of so many other books and series this book managed to stay unique.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait for the sequel. The only reason I'm not quite giving it 5 stars is the ending & Séverins behaviour in the end.. Careful: BIG SPOILERS AHEAD! I get that he is hurt and grieving but what he said to Laila is in my opinion pretty unforgivable.. He knew how insecure she was about that and still he said it and didn't even apologise.. so so shitty!! The are both hurt but she did they right thing and overcame her fears while he was just an asshole.
I generally really liked Séverin throughout the book but this just didn't stick right with me..
Also what happened to Tristan was so unexpected and super sad. I usually get emotional very easily while reading but I didn't cry this time. I was sad but not THAT sad. That is also one of the reasons I decided to not give the book 5 stars. It didn't manage to ruin me..
I guess I did like the characters but I wasn't really attached to any of them. I do like though that the other is not afraid of killing of her main characters.
Also I really liked Laila and I think her POV was also always the most interesting to me. I really hope she will stay kind even after what happened because in one of the last chapters we get to see the new her and I have to say I don't like it. She carries her hurt around like a blade and that is so unlike her.
What I probably enjoyed most about this book was the scenery. Paris 1889 but with magic and secret societies.
I still have a lot of questions about the magic system and general world building but I hope that will all be clearer to me when I read the sequels.
I also really enjoyed the Authors Note at the end. What the author said about the Exposition Universelle and "La Belle Epoque" was really interesting. I like that she said you cannot just take the good and ignore the bad and I think you can definitely see that in the book as well. It has the glamour but also the seriousness which you already know I love in my books :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
gisblanketfort's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Racism, Antisemitism, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
blueberry0531's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Homophobia and Death of parent
nadas's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This is probably because I really had high expectations for this, but I feel a little let down by it.
It started of really interesting. I liked (most of) the character interactions , the world and its magic system and how it connects so many mythologies from around the world (even when it got really confusing to follow because of just how much information and details are introduced all at the same time that made it impossible to even remember what was going on 🙂). I loved the atmosphere there were times where it was so immersive I could feel myself in the characters place.
The heist that spanned most of the book was also so much fun and I loved it so much I thought this was going to be a new favourite.
The last 20% it completely lost me. I did not enjoy it one bit. Everything happened so fast and was somehow not interesting at all. I did not like how this ended and everything leading to this end felt rushed and not enjoyable to the least.
Also, even though I enjoyed the character interactions through out the book, I still found myself not caring very much for them??
when Tristian died I honestly could not care less....the whole scene made very little sense to me and we never get a chapter from his pov for some reason?? maybe I missed something but I honestly dont get why we never got a chapter from his pov
I will still be reading the next book in the series just to know what actually happens after the reveal at the end and because I'm very confused right now after that and I don't like that.
It started of really interesting. I liked (most of) the character interactions , the world and its magic system and how it connects so many mythologies from around the world (even when it got really confusing to follow because of just how much information and details are introduced all at the same time that made it impossible to even remember what was going on 🙂). I loved the atmosphere there were times where it was so immersive I could feel myself in the characters place.
The heist that spanned most of the book was also so much fun and I loved it so much I thought this was going to be a new favourite.
The last 20% it completely lost me. I did not enjoy it one bit. Everything happened so fast and was somehow not interesting at all. I did not like how this ended and everything leading to this end felt rushed and not enjoyable to the least.
Also, even though I enjoyed the character interactions through out the book, I still found myself not caring very much for them??
I will still be reading the next book in the series just to know what actually happens after the reveal at the end and because I'm very confused right now after that and I don't like that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent