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decklededgess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was a tough one. I had to pivot from physical to audiobook just to make it easier to process. From the get go it's apparent this is a rather loose allegory for Westward expansion era slavery. I mean really only the densest of people isn't going to pick up on that. It's really well researched and tactfully written. The attention to detail in terms of character development, trauma responses, relationship and trust building, were all incredibly crafted. The characters felt real, their responses felt genuine, amazing and touching stuff to read.
The fantasy worldbuilding was a bit confusing but this is book 1 in this world/series, most of it was expository which is understandable, and this was a heavily character driven book so I wasn't too phased. Plus if we're considering the prior knowledge we already have about Wild West America, really all you have to do is swap certain terminology and you've got 90% of it covered.
Amazing book, can't wait to get to my ARC of the second book!
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, and Medical trauma
jujubeees's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Death and Rape
sarahaf712'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
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Infertility, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Self harm, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
kelsireads'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Trafficking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
kelseyland'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: Addiction, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Blood, Trafficking, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Medical trauma
ohheyandi'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
Also, I was getting a bit of a gay vibe from Violet and Aster, so I'm kind of hoping we get to see that relationship (either romantic or platonic, honestly both are good) develop more in the sequel.
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Blood, and Trafficking
Moderate: Infertility, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
sweetmusic22'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: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
jolovestoread'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
4.75
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.
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
femmenova's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Gun violence, Rape, and Suicide
melaniereadsbooks'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
4.25
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!
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gun violence, Rape, Torture, and Blood