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goodvibesgoodbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I loved it. This book, this city, this whole world and everyone in it took me a long time to understand and connect with. Longer than most books high fantasy. *But to be fair, my dyslexia was having a rough go with all the names of people and places so I felt like I was relearning instead of connecting.* But the effort.. was so worth it. The world(s) essentially that these authors built is unlike anything else I’ve read and absolutely amazing. The storyline, traveling through, I felt like I falling through worlds with these characters. I laughed. I cried. I was heartbroken.. a lot. And I’m so ready to see where The Liars Knot takes me.
emhildeb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Wow... I'm blown away. It's going to take me a long time to process this, in a good way. I loved the mystery and the suspense. It was hard to keep everything straight in my head and I'm not quite smart enough to understand the politics stuff. The world building was unique, but did rely a bit too much on the cards. Loved the characters but it was also hard to keep track of who knows what.
brynalexa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book could have been split into three of four! Lots of twists and turns. So much to keep track of plot-wise. There was some ableism- villain uses a cane? Use of “Deaf and Blind” to mean stupid/worthless/ignorant. There was some copaganda as well. Love the magic system, as well. Ends on a cliff-hanger.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Trafficking, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Bullying, Ableism, Police brutality, Violence, Racism, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Drug use, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Death, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Rape, and Slavery
shae_purcell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I’m not sure it’s fair for me to rate this. I listened to it on audiobook and I think I would have enjoyed it more on paper. There were so many characters and places mentioned that I had trouble keeping up with them all. If I had been reading a physical copy or ebook, I would have taken notes. I didn’t realize until probably 40% into the book that the names given at the start of each chapter were dates. This was an entirely new world and I missed a lot of it. I did enjoy the plot and the characters but probably not enough to pick up the second book.
Side note: I was intrigued by the pattern decks and saw that the authors created their own! If the story had been a favorite, I definitely would have bought a deck.
Side note: I was intrigued by the pattern decks and saw that the authors created their own! If the story had been a favorite, I definitely would have bought a deck.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Murder, Vomit, Violence, Classism, and Blood
Minor: Rape and Cursing
bookaholic_beth's review against another edition
i couldn’t get into it no matter how hard i tried :/ i kept having to read the same chapters over and over bc i didn’t absorb anything that was happening
ajgovin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tamtamslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
4.5/5🌟
So much to say.
First, I LOVED how this world was given to us. The characters showed us the world, explained it through their own interaction with it, and we learned with them as they discovered new things about it.
There is a lot going on, and so much to understand about the world, but aside from the first 40 or so pages (which I’d argue is standard for epic fantasies like this) where there’s this dump of information to understand, it’s revisited and explained in seamlessly ways (like dialogue or from the POV of another character) throughout the rest of the book.
The authors do an incredible—and fascinating—job of keeping the tension woven through each scene, each character POV, and setting. How it’s all interconnected is beautifully crafted.
As for the mystery—just wow. I typically find myself growing frustrated when there aren’t more clues or insights, but this story had me on the edge and stringing things together in my mind—and second guessing those strings—all throughout the 630 pages.
I especially admired the way the reveals happened. The only thing I wish we’d gotten a bit more clarity on was the magic system, but I suppose that’s to come in books 2 & 3. (That’s the reasoning behind my .5🌟 markdown from 5🌟).
So much to say.
First, I LOVED how this world was given to us. The characters showed us the world, explained it through their own interaction with it, and we learned with them as they discovered new things about it.
There is a lot going on, and so much to understand about the world, but aside from the first 40 or so pages (which I’d argue is standard for epic fantasies like this) where there’s this dump of information to understand, it’s revisited and explained in seamlessly ways (like dialogue or from the POV of another character) throughout the rest of the book.
The authors do an incredible—and fascinating—job of keeping the tension woven through each scene, each character POV, and setting. How it’s all interconnected is beautifully crafted.
As for the mystery—just wow. I typically find myself growing frustrated when there aren’t more clues or insights, but this story had me on the edge and stringing things together in my mind—and second guessing those strings—all throughout the 630 pages.
I especially admired the way the reveals happened. The only thing I wish we’d gotten a bit more clarity on was the magic system, but I suppose that’s to come in books 2 & 3. (That’s the reasoning behind my .5🌟 markdown from 5🌟).
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
4.0
This was a well built, YA fantasy with plenty of worldbuiding integrated smoothly into the story. The very fast paced plot kept my attention despite this being over 600 pages. While the main arc does wrap, there is definitely a setup to the next books in the series. I enjoyed the characters, even those who started a little cliche. I especially liked being first suspicious and then slowly trusting new characters right alongside the main character.
After finishing I found out that many of the areas that I found interesting (but didn't need for the story) are actually fleshed out in the author's web page. I love that they've made their world so completely accessible and immersive. Also, if you're listening, there is a map that is worth finding!
After finishing I found out that many of the areas that I found interesting (but didn't need for the story) are actually fleshed out in the author's web page. I love that they've made their world so completely accessible and immersive. Also, if you're listening, there is a map that is worth finding!
ckerin's review against another edition
Library loan lapsed. Not sure I was entirely focused on the audio book. Maybe I'd enjoy it more to read vs listen?
spacedout_vy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0