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rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
We follow Seske and Adalla, two girls within this society. Seske is air to the matriarchal society while Adalla is a beast worker, who helps excavate and prepare the beast. From two separate stations, they begin to fall in love as they learn more about the truth of their society and their host.
Drayden has created a fascinating world that hinges on the parasitic relationship between a matriarchal society and the beast that they call home. The world building in this book is fascinating and incredibly unique. Drayden pairs this with a dual perspective that weaves between two very different characters. By following the heir to the throne and a beast worker, we get to see different parts of this world and the inequality that is inherent with it. Through the matriarchal society, Drayden makes the inequalities and harms of our patriarchal society stand out as the society in the book holds many of the same issues, just gender swapped.
This book is rife with body horror elements and bodily fluids, which I think is crucial to know going in. Drayden balances the more nauseating elements of this world with their evocative prose to create the engaging world. I am fascinated to see where this story goes next and I will definitely be checking out more of Drayden's work.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, Medical content, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Slavery
albernikolauras'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
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Body horror
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism, Violence, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
bookcaptivated'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: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Pregnancy, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Death, Sexual content, Sexism, Slavery, and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny
allisonwonderlandreads's review
- 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
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
zombiezami's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Miscarriage, Grief, Gore, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Sexual content, Death of parent, Vomit, Genocide, Child death, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, and Drug use
Minor: Sexism, Racism, and Racial slurs
ohlhauc'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? Yes
The character development was hit or miss for me. I adored the characters of Adalla and Laisze, and felt their growth, motivations, and reactions were clear and well done. They were also two of the only characters who seemed to think of
Another thing that didn't work for me is that it felt some scenes were rushed over, especially the plot which went by so quick. I would've liked to see a slower pace and more detail into the psychologies of the characters so it felt like what was happening had more consequences and impact.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Slavery