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sammymilfort's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, Death, Suicide attempt, Violence, Murder, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Gore, Alcohol, Body horror, Child abuse, Vomit, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Animal cruelty, Blood, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Grief, and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent
bludgeoned_by_hail's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Clare's writing style is very skillful, the plot is tense and exciting, the shadowy fantasy underworld of London has a great atmosphere, and the themes of interracial tensions, prejudice, loyalty and duty are handled with more nuance and subtlety than the usual in YA.
However, for all of its strengths, the book can't help but tumble into the tropes, pitfalls and 2010-isms of its genre, including but not limited to: the naive and plain but extraordinary young heroine plunged into an unknown magic world, the uninspired love triangle of a dark bad boy and a sensitive blonde boy, the Magic Academy turned new home hidden from humans, a conspicuous amount of orphans, and a sarcastic quip per page ratio constantly approaching critical levels. The déja vu gets especially grating if you're familiar with Clare's past work (which this is a prequel of).
Despite all of this, there is still a lot of promise and professionality at display, some genuinely great character work, and the bones for a nice trilogy.
I hope you're finally satisfied Veerliene xx
Moderate: Violence and Drug use
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Torture
thebankofbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Drug use, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Blood, Confinement, Gaslighting, Grief, Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, and Violence
rafacolog'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
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Racism, Torture, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Chronic illness
mindins'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
4.25
Graphic: Death and Sexism
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, Death, and Drug use
Minor: Alcohol and Infertility
bookthief's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Tessa was a brave and courageous character, who had a very unique power where she could Change. I am really curious to find out what Tessa actually is and the rest of her powers. Her brother, Nate, unexpectedly betrayed Tessa, by conspiring with Mortmain. At this point I felt bad for Tessa as she still loved Nate even though he doesn’t anymore.
Will was an interesting character, with major mood swings. The best chapter with Will was when he fought with De Quincey. This is because it was intense and done so well I felt like I was actually there watching the fight. I really want to find out what happened to his parents and what he was talking about to Magnus Bane in the epilogue.
Jen was a sweet character who I thought we didn’t see enough of. I really hope in the next book he is in it more, so I get to find out more about Jen. I also feel really bad for him and his illness considering there is no cure and he is suffering badly.
Overall, I thought this was a great book and I highly recommend for any YA Fantasy readers.
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Drug use, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and War
alisasreads'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Torture, and Murder
krisalexcole's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Infertility, Alcohol, Body horror, Death of parent, Racism, Drug use, Gore, Kidnapping, Sexism, and Torture
Minor: Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Vomit
Gamblinghollymileham'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
my comfort fictional world for ever and ever fr
Graphic: Drug use and Addiction
Moderate: Blood and Torture
Minor: Infertility
bookswithlauren'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
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Torture, Body horror, Death, Suicide, Animal death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infertility, Violence, Bullying, and War