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btwnprintedpgs'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? No
3.0
I found Linn gave Toph vibes, and Sorcha gave Azula energy. Both characters were great additions to the cast, I loved seeing more of Linn after her introduction at the end of Blood Heir. I did find Linn's devotion to Ana a bit strong for what transpired in Blood Heir, but past that, she's a strong character. I didn't think I'd read the final instalment halfway through, but now I'm so curious about our three MCs as we reach the finale of the series.
This instalment had a better and stronger climax than Blood Heir, and I found myself rooting for the characters more than rubbing my temples in frustration. Definitely didn't suffer from second book syndrome! I'm also glad that we tied up some story lines in this one, thus setting the stage for Crimson Reign.
All in all, a strong sequel, and a great setup for the finale of the series! I'm really loving the crew we've put together and I'm excited to see how their story ends.
TW: blood, murder, injury detail, torture, alcohol consumption, violence, child abuse, fire/fire injury, death; mentions infidelity, death of a parent, death of a child, kidnapping
eARC gifted via NetGalley by Delacorte Press via Random House Children's in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Torture
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Kidnapping
pagesforages'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
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Genocide, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Murder, Grief, Violence, Medical content, Blood, Trafficking, Genocide, and Medical trauma
Minor: Slavery, Torture, and Alcohol
booknerdbetty's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Blood
Moderate: Racial slurs, Mental illness, Sexism, Physical abuse, and Misogyny
mme_carton'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
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Gore, Murder, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, and Genocide
leedolee'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, and Trafficking
veronikahvee'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
5.0
Oh boy!! This book!! THIS!! BOOK!!
If I loved the first book then this one I LOVE with all caps. What growth from book 1 to 2! The stakes!! Higher than Ever!! The tension, the ANGST! The plot grew more intricate with every page, the mysteries unfolding a little only to show how much more was left to uncover and piece together. The foreshadowing was clever, the plot twists came for my throat. The humour was spot on, the friendship moments made me smile so hard and the romance MADE MY HEART ACHE!!! GOD!! THE SLOW BURN IS PAINFUL AND ENDEARING AND SOFT AND FUNNY AND DID I MENTION PAINFUL????
Amélie Wen Zhao's writing is so beautiful and engaging to read, I'm so happy I'm reading her work. And she nails the alternation between the three PoVs so damn well. It kept me on my toes, kept me reading and wanting to see what came next. Never once did I felt that jarring feeling badly done pov switcharoos can leave you with. It was done at the right moments and you can tell.
The characters have me in a tighter chokehold than before. I ADORE them! Ana, Ramson, Linn and newcomer Kaïs! Their growth as singular people and as a group was beautiful. Their hard choices, their moments of bonding, even the moments of "do/can I trust them?", all *chef's kiss*
I can't wait for more of them.
I read Blood Heir at the start of the year and have been eagerly awaiting the (super delayed) arrival of Red Tigress, so when it arrived and I finished my previous reading (another fave) I immediately started this! It didn't disappoint, not even in the slightest.
And Amélie's writing of all the darker and heavier themes in this story is really on point. It's poignant, it's hard, it's full of heart and hope.
I can't stop sending my friends brainwaves and hope they get curious enough from my ramblings. I need humans to talk to about this!
Well, time to wait for the third book I guess T^T
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Torture, Violence, and Trafficking
Minor: Slavery
Trafficking is re: human trafficking