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bree_h_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
While this book is very much a product of its time in some aspects, it was still very enjoyable.
To start, I listened to the Graphic Audio version. I was super unsure about this version going into it, but in the end it was my favourite aspect. I listen to a lot of audiodramas, so it was a lot like them just with narration. I really enjoyed the cast and their performances. Overall I thought it really added to the experience. This version ALSO had some of the extra content for the series of the prequel novella and Currin’s two POVs of events in the book. Having these are part of the book was really nice. I was in the middle of trying to sort out how to get and read them when the audiobook started reading one of them out.
Outside of the performance, I really enjoyed Kate as a character. I liked her sense of humour and it was a nice change to have a more loner FMC as opposed to a loner MMC. I didn’t find that aspect of her character annoying either. I think it also helped that she had several allies that DESPITE the loner attitude still liked her/put faith in her.
The mystery of the book was also really enjoyable. I had a pretty easy time following most of the trains of thought for what was really going on. When the twist was finally revealed it felt like such an “oh obviously moment.”
I also LOVED the world building. While sometimes it could get a bit info dumpy, I appreciated that the reader was just thrown into the world. I had a pretty easy tome following the world and its functions, even if it wasn’t fully explained. And as more was revealed it felt well thought out and made sense.
Despite how much I enjoyed the book, it did have its flaws. Which again, are mostly a consequence of the time. So while I do understand that, it still rubbed me the wrong way.
To start, there was a level of casual sexism in the book that really threw me. Especially from Currin and his POV chapters. It just gave me the ick. I don’t think it happened often, but it happened enough that I had a few comments on it.
The other is Currin’s whole deal. Especially in his POV he felt like a classic “super tough guy who only feels horny and angry”. There is MORE to his character than that, which is appreciate. It’s just that that aspect tends to bleed through more. So while I DO ship him and Kate it’s more of a “if I close my eyes I don’t see the red flags” thing.
Overall it was a super enjoyable book! I’ll be continuing the series and I think it still mostly works today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Animal death, Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Alcohol, Cursing, and Body horror
Moderate: Grief, Sexism, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Kidnapping, Racism, Self harm, Pregnancy, Fatphobia, Medical content, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Sexual assault
katkatz's review against another edition
The main character’s internal monologue is racist and fatphobic, along with some other gross and outdated attitudes. Whatever else might happen in the plot, this MC is not someone I can root for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, and Sexism
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