Scan barcode
agathajanemaud1908's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Katherine Arden’s Winternight trilogy are some of my favorite fantasy books, but this one might be even better. Both this book and the trilogy was wrenching and dark and beautiful, but I can’t imagine the years of research she put into this book. It felt like I was in WWI France witnessing the horror of it.
I don’t have adequate words to review this book, but word of warning: it’s accurate to the war, so it’s very dark and violent. Make sure to be in a good headspace before reading.
I don’t have adequate words to review this book, but word of warning: it’s accurate to the war, so it’s very dark and violent. Make sure to be in a good headspace before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Body horror, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Xenophobia, War, Medical trauma, Grief, Violence, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Gore
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cannibalism
kirtreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book took me over two months to read because it is raw, emotional, dark, and does not throw punches. I had to listen in bits and then process and then come back. I can understand why the author calls this “the fiend”. I normally hate war fiction but this felt so raw and real, and I actually cared about the characters.
This novel isn’t sad for the sake of being sad. I think Kathrine Arden actually does a great job of capturing the inexplicable and crazy hope that people can have in their darkest moments. However, it still is dark. The ending will crush you, but it is so worth the read.
This novel isn’t sad for the sake of being sad. I think Kathrine Arden actually does a great job of capturing the inexplicable and crazy hope that people can have in their darkest moments. However, it still is dark. The ending will crush you, but it is so worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Xenophobia, Suicide, Abandonment, Body horror, Confinement, Medical content, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Mental illness, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
More...