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maddie_rae_reads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I loved:
Author's portrayal of disabilities/inclusivity (prosthetics, sign language, etc.) as well as the invidious nature of addictions and lies. The themes of trust, loyalty, and friendships were beautiful and messy (realistic!).
I disliked:
Excessive (to me) F*bombs that many times felt a bit forced and pulled me out of the story. The world is violent and crass by nature, so it wasn't unexpected, just felt like too much for my liking.
Overall the story kept me hooked through to the last sentence. I'm looking forward to where the series leads.
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content
natashalg'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and Vomit
kale_abomination'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: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
booksalacarte's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
4.75⭐️3🌶️
Adult Fantasy Romance
Viking inspired
20yo FMC
Dual POV
Journeying
Disabled Side cCharacters
Unique Magic System
Slow burn
Found Family
Complicated Characters
Secret Identities
Forced Proximity
Tw: murder, addiction
I should have read this sooner.
I heard about it through mutuals and it has been on my TBR for a long time. I was so excited to get an arc of it which made me hike it up on my never ending TBR.
This was such a refreshing read! The plot was intriguing. The world building was slow, but well done. It didn’t distract for the story, and never felted like an info dump. The magic system has only been revealed when needed. And usually that annoys me, or makes me think it’s not been well thought out… but in this instance, I think it suits the plot really well.
The beginning was slow to get into. I was waiting for the FMC to get to a decently capable point, and it took a while. But the further I read, the more I had to keep reading. The plot was surprising, the characters unique and I was so angry when the twist happened! That character better get what’s calming to them!!
The first PoV is the FMC and very compelling. Orphan on the run with a secret even she doesn’t know about.
The second POV introduces us to another girl… the enemy, essentially, hunting for the first FMC by the order of the mysterious queen.
Third POv is the blond mercenary with a troubled past.
4th POV is the band leader who is as tight lipped and mysterious as anyone.
The beginning was hard to get into, I was waiting for the FMC to get to a decently capable point, and it took a while. But the further I read, the more I had to keep reading. The plot was surprising, the characters unique and I was so angry when the twist happened! That character better get what’s calming to them!!
The love triangle-ish had me on the edge of my seat! I was so intrigued by how the romance would play out.
Thank God I have an ARC of the second book… cause I would not do well with that cliffhanger and POV addition if I had to be patient and wait until February, when it is going to be released.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine, Dellacorte Press for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
intensej's review
3.5
Silla Nordvig is desperate for safety after her world is upended. She will do anything to get to Kopa and follow the instructions her father left her. When she sneaks into a wagon, she has no idea that she is joining the Bloodaxe Crew who are on a separate mission. Although Ren, the leader of the Crew, allows her to travel with them, she struggles to keep her secrets as she grows closer to the mercenaries.
It took a few chapters to get into the book. The world reminded me of The Witcher with all of the magical creatures. I didn't care for the constant POV changes for certain chapters. I enjoyed reading about Silla's journey with the Bloodaxe Crew. The romance part of this book was a bit disappointing. I couldn't figure out if Silla was supposed to end up with Jonas (the handsome member of the Crew) or Ren.
Content: violence, death, swearing, sex, mentions of sexual assault
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Torture
hobostan'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: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
wollfaden'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
4.5
I really liked the writing style and the pace, even though it seemed a bit to slow in the first half (would describe the pace in the first half as medium)
All in all it was a good read. The plot twist were kinda predictable but not badly made.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Genocide, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
soniajoy98'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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry