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bdingz's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Racism and Antisemitism
erins_bookshelf_'s review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
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
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
- 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
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 :)
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
eve_reads's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
⁕ Normally books with so many POVs have portions that drag, but Chockshi largely avoids this common pitfall. Each of the characters is so well-developed, each with their own identities, background, and emotional growth. I was never preferential towards one over the others.
⁕ There are some pretty intense puzzles that are solved by the characters, many of them involving math and geometry. My brain does NOT work this way, but the drawings and explanations made what would have been intimidating actually accessible.
⁕ The ending was throw-the-book-across-the-room type good. Without any spoilers, things got dark and the stakes got raised. I was super sad that I did not have the next in the series immediately on hand to continue reading.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Moderate: Gore, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, and Colonisation
lavenderbluestories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Cultural appropriation
stephbakerbooks'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
We get four main POVs and enough world-building to set the stage. A lot of history—real history from 1889 Paris—mixed with the magic. I will admit to being a little confused at some descriptions, but it didn't detract from my understanding of the plot or enjoyment of the book. It has a slower start, but things really pick up around the middle of the book and don't slow down until the end.
I loved these characters. Some of them took a little while to get to know, but this is a great found-family read with each member having a distinct personality and complexities. I loved the development, loved the ups and downs. Zofia might be my favorite.
I've read two other books by this author—years ago, so I don't really remember them, but I can definitely say this one is my favorite of hers. I did read this book because it was compared to Six of Crows, but that's probably unfair to this book. Was it as good as Six of Crows? No, but it's different...so I don't think it's a fair comparison. And I'm hoping these characters get even more time to steal my heart in the next two books!
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, and Antisemitism
karambit's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Torture, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, Gore, Miscarriage, Self harm, and Death of parent
childoflight's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Racism, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
thoseoldcrows23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, and Antisemitism
scarlettskyes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Gaslighting