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thejackalopeswarren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Stalking, Death, Slavery, War, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Murder, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Violence
e_emmaa'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: Bullying, Death, Murder, Death of parent, Slavery, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
yuidf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
dilara2912w'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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Police brutality, Racism, Physical abuse, Mental illness, War, Death, Murder, Genocide, Classism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Mass/school shootings, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gaslighting, Drug use, and Bullying
ksilvio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Bullying, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gaslighting, Miscarriage, and Alcohol
madalina0_0'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: Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Bullying, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content and Child abuse
solaris_zip'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: Death of parent, Blood, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
mcc1210's review against another edition
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Gaslighting
yarnarh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Some authors would write pages of descriptions and I would be lost about what the plot is. I love the way they write. Few sentences and then move on to the plot. Love the twist and turns though I suspected most of them before it happened.
BookTok was right about this book. It was good and I enjoyed it.
Graphic: Murder, Violence, War, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Racism
fieldofhats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spoiler warning from here on.
I was skeptical with this book at first, but it grew on me with every chapter. I read this via Audible and it took me a couple hours to get into this book, but once I did, it was smooth sailing. The YA writing style threw me off a little at first since the themes seemed pretty mature, but I quickly got used to it. We are seeing this story told through the perspective of a young adult/old teen, so it makes sense, and it’s done very well.
It also took me a while to get into the court politics, because that’s just not my thing, but I was sufficiently engaged and understood 85% of what was going on! The spy and intrigue plot was so-so for me; I didn’t care much for it at the beginning, although I thought Jude and Dane’s relationship was very interesting; but after Dane was killed and we got to see the whole Court of Shadows at their lowest, I was invested. I’m very excited to see where that plot goes in the coming books! I’m still not the biggest fan of all the politics in general, but I love all of the characters and their dynamics (and my best friend assures me the sequels are amazing), so I’m going to go on with the series.
Jude is an amazing main character. She has relatable flaws and deals with them in such a realistic way. She’s headstrong, which is both a strength and a weakness, since she’s bold but doesn’t know when to stop. She has a great sense of pride, which makes her a brave and determined, but also gets her in trouble with both her enemies and her family, especially towards the end when she duels Madoc. This may not be universal, but I related to her so much so I really enjoyed being in her head the entire time.
Cardan’s journey is also one that I did not expect at all. He was so cruel in the beginning, but by the end we see him in an entirely new light. He’s been through so much by the end that we pity and feel for him — especially because he’s being screwed over by Jude. I can’t wait to see that dynamic play out later on.
Overall, I think it definitely lives up to the hype! It’s more focused on politics and drama rather than romance, but the romance that’s present is done very well!
Graphic: Murder, Death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting