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lauramparis'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: Death, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Rape, Abandonment, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Excrement, and Medical content
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Rape, Violence, Drug use, Gore, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abandonment
vagrantheather'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
5.0
At its core this book is a murder mystery in a dark academia setting. The magic isn't a pervasive element in society, but a hidden aspect controlled by wealthy elites. It's dark, emotional, gritty. Traumatized and grieving. It's about surviving, and everything that entails.
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Addiction
alisonkolonick'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: Sexual assault, Rape, Drug abuse, Addiction, Gore, Suicide, Abandonment, Death, Drug use, Violence, and Grief
savannah_amdahl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Blood, Drug use, Rape, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Torture and Abandonment
eni_iilorak'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Rape, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, Gore, Drug abuse, Medical content, Excrement, Drug use, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Bullying, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Classism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Antisemitism and Gun violence
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was not at all what I expected. I wanted to go in knowing as little as possible. I knew that this book is adult but I didn't expect it to as graphic as it was. I really liked the premise and the characters and also the mystery of it all. Just because of her writing I automatically like the book.
I do have a few issues with it though:
1. Alex's motives didn't always make sense to me. Why was she so adamant on solving Taras murder? She didn't know her, everyone told her that it was the boyfriend, even after she broke into the morgue it was clear it was the boyfriend. I just didn't understand why she would go further and further. At a certain point it was clear that there is more behind it than we thought but I do not understand why and how Alex knew that?
2. Also I felt like all side characters were just there for convenience. Especially Alex's roommates. They are so unconditionally loyal to her for seemingly no reason? I mean that is not how it usually is at uni right? Like it would make sense for them to ask her why she's never at home but not to a degree where she constantly has to come up with fake reasons & apologies, right? I wanted a bit more interaction and reason there so it actually makes sense for them to call her mum. (The thing with Brady 100% made sense though. He's a shit and deserves only the worst)
3. That might be on me, but I didn't understand the worldbuilding fully. I think it was on purpose that the big questions like 'why is there magic?' and 'where does it come from?' are unanswered. But I didn't understand the limits of the magic. It's clear that it best works in the tombs and not really anywhere else, but also things like the coin of compulsion work everywhere? And spells can be cast that influence the wider world as well? Idk I'm just a bit confused about that. Also I want to know how noone actually found out outside of the societies. How do they keep the secret?
I think I had way more questions but these are the most important ones. I am definitely going to read 'Hellbent' but if I'm being honest I'm in no hurry. Maybe I'll even wait until all (5?) books are out. The story was intruiging but it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. (Even though I love mystery, magic, university settings, academia and secret societies in books.. ?)
What I loved about the book was all the intruige and mystery. The connections weren't always completely clear to me but that didn't take away from it being fun. I wish we got to see a bit more magic and a bit less trauma but that is only my opinion. I bet for some people this was perfect.
Generally I would anyone to please read the trigger warnings for this book. There are a lot and they are really graphic as well.
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Cursing, Death, Sexism, Vomit, and Xenophobia
beccam22'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
🔍🔪 Murder Mysteries
🎓🕯 Dark Academia
🪄✨ Urban Magic
Please look at content warnings if you need to.
I have my issues with this but I think what was well done over shadows them <spoiler/>
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Death, Medical trauma, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, and Drug use
franchesca_reads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Drug use, Murder, and Sexual assault
charliethebooklover'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
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Cursing, Gore, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Drug use, Gaslighting, Death, Grief, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, Abandonment, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Rape