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tmholsman_1994's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death and Torture
Moderate: Blood and Drug abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Infertility
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
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
sandwiiche's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Torture
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
britwalsh16'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
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Terminal illness, Torture, Murder, War, Kidnapping, Confinement, Death of parent, Blood, Death, and Stalking
Moderate: Drug use and Infertility
Minor: Alcohol