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larkais's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The issue with this book is that it doesn't really delve too much into developing the characters past their flaws. This book is plot driven more than character driven and that is probably where it loses me. I like the diversity in this book and the colonization discussions but where is the growth? The status quo is more or less maintained by the end of the book without a true catharsis. It just stops, has many time skips and sets up the plot point for the second book in the last time skip.
Some of the plot points were also very messy. I didn't like the references to different mythological things since they didn't have a historical connection, their name is just used to pique interest like the eye of Horus, the Fragments of Babel, the golden ratio/phi.
Alternately, was I supposed to feel something when Tristan died? He added fairly little to the plot for me. I think he may even be resurrected given the nature of the Fallen House with their religious motifs.
I really also did not like the Severin/Laila couple. There are so many allusions to their one night stand but this will they/won't they plot when they obviously will is strange.
The end of the novel also ended with a love triangle of Hypnos -> Enrique -> Zofia. I like that rep, didn't mind this way too much but who knows how it will resolve.
Why did Severin not want to get his house back? Tristan died but three other people were still counting on him rising back in power to meet their goals but nothing is even said about that and it bothered me off since it was just a way to set up the next book as Severin in not the true heir to the house of Vanth.
I don't think I will be picking up the second book but it looks like many others enjoyed it.
Moderate: Racism and Death
Minor: Child abuse
carysbeesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Racism, and Antisemitism
Minor: Homophobia
library_of_alexandra_'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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Racism
coolbeancat'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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Racism, and Ableism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Biphobia, Homophobia, and Grief
hippocapybara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Child abuse, Death, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent and Racism
booksandprosecco'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Racism
thecourtofreading'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
4.75
"you can change your name, your eye colour. make yourself a myth and live within it, so that you belong to no one but yourself."
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Racism and Ableism
Minor: Bullying, Biphobia, Animal cruelty, and Homophobia
strange'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
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Colonisation, and Death
Moderate: Torture, Racism, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Antisemitism, Animal cruelty, and Violence
daisy_jane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Racism
diifacto'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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Homophobia, and Racism