Scan barcode
jolovestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.75
An action packed adventure that I enjoyed reading from start to finish. I often wanted to continue and couldn't wait to find out how life would go for the girls. I desperately wanted them to succeed and get out of the awful situation they were landed in, but also felt very invested in seeing this world be improved.
There were a few supernatural elements with the tattoos that glow when covered as they are made from ink beyond the veil (or of the veil?) and also the vengeful spirits that are the ghosts of people who have passed away and literally can rip you to shreds, but you cannot see them.
It breaks my heart to know that this kind of world does exist in quite a similar way still for many girls and women. I wish it wasn't so, this is quite a heavy topic, but it isn't a depressing book.
There were a few supernatural elements with the tattoos that glow when covered as they are made from ink beyond the veil (or of the veil?) and also the vengeful spirits that are the ghosts of people who have passed away and literally can rip you to shreds, but you cannot see them.
It breaks my heart to know that this kind of world does exist in quite a similar way still for many girls and women. I wish it wasn't so, this is quite a heavy topic, but it isn't a depressing book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Child abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
femmenova's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
it could have been a five stars but they gotta do my girl, violet, that dirty huh :(
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, and Gun violence
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Reread this in preparation for the sequel!
So I really loved this book! The beginning is so intense and really hooks you into the story. I was immediately empathetic toward Clementine and Aster, and needed them to succeed!
As the story went on, the pacing slowed down a bit and there were gaps when not much was happening. I grew to really care about all of the characters, but I was especially invested in what was happening with Aster and Violet.
I think it would have been very interesting for this story to have had multiple POVs instead of just Aster, and I hope to see more POVs in the sequel.
Pacing picked back up again at the end, with a lot of intense scenes. The ending was very satisfying but still left me wanting more! I cannot wait to see what happens next.
The world building was rich and beautiful. This is such a scary world, unsafe for "dustbloods", particularly women, but it is so interesting to see the mix of fantasy elements with western fiction. I adored this book!
So I really loved this book! The beginning is so intense and really hooks you into the story. I was immediately empathetic toward Clementine and Aster, and needed them to succeed!
As the story went on, the pacing slowed down a bit and there were gaps when not much was happening. I grew to really care about all of the characters, but I was especially invested in what was happening with Aster and Violet.
I think it would have been very interesting for this story to have had multiple POVs instead of just Aster, and I hope to see more POVs in the sequel.
Pacing picked back up again at the end, with a lot of intense scenes. The ending was very satisfying but still left me wanting more! I cannot wait to see what happens next.
The world building was rich and beautiful. This is such a scary world, unsafe for "dustbloods", particularly women, but it is so interesting to see the mix of fantasy elements with western fiction. I adored this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Rape, and Torture
annalisaely's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adored this so much, the characters were all awesome in their own ways, including having a lot of growth in different areas. The action and vibes were just as advertised, a delightful Old West inspired world but with a little magic and lots of ghosts, and a bunch of badass lady outlaws who only steal from people who deserve it. Also happy queer people, yay!
Personally I thought the heavy topics were handled very well, but I haven't experienced any of these issues personally. I have very high empathy and can't read things that graphically describe many of these things, but the way it was handled allowed me to process the topics without having to take on the pain of the characters.
Personally I thought the heavy topics were handled very well, but I haven't experienced any of these issues personally. I have very high empathy and can't read things that graphically describe many of these things, but the way it was handled allowed me to process the topics without having to take on the pain of the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Death
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence
More...