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sarah837's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Blood, and War
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
There Gabe is forced to relay his life’s story which he fast forwards to when he turns fifteen just before being sent to the Ordo Argent, the Silver Order, to become a Silversaint. Half-human half-vampire it seems to his mother that the order will be his best option, and it is. It is there he will find a family, love, power, and recognition all he has ever dreamed and more, but at a cost. That price we see in another period of his life’s journey that he also relays to the vampire historian writing his story down, which is when he is thirty two, just two years before the present time.
In sum we will have a pretty clear idea of who Gabe was until he was seventeen and at thirty two, the rest we get only scraps that tease our appetite for more. One thing is clear Gabriel de Leon is now jaded and crushed, but the light of his hatred for the vampires is unbroken and mighty, and there seems to be hope for his current status as a prisoner or so we hope.
It is hard to review a book I’ve waited for for more than a year, the expectations were enormous, first because it’s Jay and second because I freaking love vampires.
So, what did I think?
I loved it, it was awesome. It’s medium-fast paced, has a great world building, the characters are amazing, well fleshed, and just overall super interesting. It is dark, bloody and the narration has the snarky-ness, which I adore, we are used to since Nevernight, and I mean Gabriel is mega hot, those illustrations wow, and another favourite is Dior. The only minus for me was the back and forth between timelines, I got so invested in one and then had to go back to the other, and vice-versa, plus on those almost seventeen years between them so much happens that we just know from small references dropped here and there, that specially annoyed me. I do prefer a more regular timeline particularly if we almost know what happen between the two timelines but not enough to quench the curiosity. But, honestly it didn’t take much from my love of the story.
And, now the suffering begins, the wait for the next two books in the series.
If you love adult fantasy, vampires and dark moody books, this is for you.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, and War
emesfiz_28'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: Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction, Body horror, and Child death
the_midwest_library's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
First book of 2022 and a really solid start. This grim, sarcastic, raw vampire epic was really fantastic. I enjoyed the story, the world was cleaned out, the main characters likeable in the worst ways. My only complaint was the pacing felt a little funky at the halfway point but it found its footing by the end. Really enjoyable, super fun and dark.
Halfway through the year I'm bumping my review from 4.5 to 5 because I can't stop thinking about this book which was fantastic!
Minor: Child death, Death, Violence, and War
hildaahlstrand'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, and War
It's extremely dark, but if you can handle it, it's an amazing experience.tatiannaskye's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Slavery, and War
Minor: Abandonment
Really just like Murder, death, blood, and religious bigotry.sleepysadpoet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Some of the language was confusing, especially when Danton would talk. (It's still fuck that guy though).
When it was revealed that the grail was a person was when I really got invested. I'm not religious by any means and don't believe in a higher power, but it got me thinking quite a bit honestly. I know that the initiates were fighters for God, and their holier than thou attitude made me mad sometimes. They would sin like no one's business, but get mad when... *Checks notes* Aaron is found in bed with a man? Sounds a lot like some of the christians we know nowadays huh?
This story had twists and turns at every corner, and I love that despite the whole premise being that it's an interview, I could picture everything just fine in my head. The artwork is gorgeous too.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Homophobia
rabidpookie'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: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Death of parent
no1willnot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Religious bigotry
It’s a book about vampire wars that centres around a religious order of vampire hunters based heavily in Christianity, so there is a LOT of blood, violence and institutional abusejnl00700's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, Torture, Murder, and War