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readingqueerly'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
The last 150 pages just had me yelling 'what the fuck' while gasping and/or screaming over and over. I cannot believe I have to wait for book three.
Truly, these books are such a great depiction of what it means to be a woman in a man's world, even when you KNOW you're better or more powerful than them. There was a very satisfying moment even towards the ending that had me cheering on all of this woman's wrongs.
But it's also imo an incredible piece of fantasy that incorporates some very heavy topics like substance abuse, DV, the complexity of family, the complexity of being human. The way I started out with such a bias against one of the main characters because of how book one was set up; and seeing her story in full learning and growing with her and where she ends up at the end of book two is truly an amazing journey. This author manages to balance plot and character focus so well.
I must also applaud the story building. I am rarely this surprised by a book, but this and book one have had me in whiplash from all the twists and turns I did not see coming. And the way they just make sense too!!!! Everything is set up so well, making all the plot twists connect and work out to one complete story.
I cannot wait for book three.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny
sashahc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Torture
lena_2106'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
4.0
Minor: Trafficking, Sexism, Vomit, Violence, Addiction, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Death of parent, and Child death
keya_caivalur's review
- 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: Torture, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Addiction, Drug abuse, Grief, Blood, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infertility, Adult/minor relationship, War, Misogyny, and Child abuse
Minor: Hate crime, Death of parent, Dementia, Genocide, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Child death, Bullying, and Cursing
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book tore my heart out and then served it back to me on a silver platter. What's worse is that I loved every second of it!
Dawson perfectly captures what's like to experience life as a woman, it feels like she reaches into my brain and puts my darkest experiences to page. Part of the reason this trilogy is so difficult to read is because how close to real life it is. All the hate, fear, and bitterness isn't fictional. The only thing fictional about this book is the magic and witchery. Everything else sadly, you can easily find anywhere in the world.
This is in no way shape or form a light and happy read. There is sisterhood, family, and love, but what they all go through and experience is difficult at best, depressing at worst. Definitely check your tws before reading because there is a lot of death, murder, homophobia, sexism and more fun stuff.
I was so ready to hate Ciara, everything we learned in the last book really had her painted as "evil" plain and simple. If there's anything I should have learned from Dawson's writing, is that people are messy, complex, floundering creatures. There is no good or evil, only the choices we make, and we can always come back from it. ‘No. There’s always a way back,’ he said, trying to convince them both. ‘You just . . . turn around and go the way you came.’
My favorite pov is from Leonie, she is such a badass and I loved her adventure. On the flip side I always have such a hard time enjoying reading Elle's chapters. She just really annoys me and the way she behaves would drive me to therapy if I were her child. I didn't expect Luke's plotline to take him where it did, I enjoyed it, but it almost feels like too much out of left field.
Another MUST READ from Juno Dawson, this is shaping up to be one of my favorite series! Please I need the final book! DAWSON LOVES CLIFFHANGERS TOO MUCH!!
Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Sexism, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Grief, Gore, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Misogyny, Death, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Racism, and Drug abuse
ejspiese'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
kateyhb'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: Death, Drug abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Child abuse
adancewithbooks's review against another edition
3.5
The ending of Her Majesty's Royal Coven was quite the ordeal. With two of our main characters dead and the whole of the royal coven in disaray, it is quite a feat to pull this all back together. Spoiler: they don't.
One of the things that drew me to Her Majesty's Royal Coven was Niamh and the way she managed to do the right thing, regardless of what was on the other end. Whether this was her sister or one of her best friends, she would always do the right thing. Her relationship with Theo was the high point for me.
But that was completely gone with the ending of the last book and it put us on new footing. Footing I didn't particularily like. Ciara, Naimh's replacement, is quite the opposite, despite being her twin. And this whole book was Ciara's redemptions arc. I didn't nessecarily care for that. Again, the book is another slow build-up that dragged a little.
I also cringe at the choices that were being made. Steps back for certain characters, as if to even the playing field to show that Ciara isn't all that bad either. Or just weird typical plot points. It didn't work for me. I also missed seeing more of Theo and hated how Ciara treated her. Leonie had her hero moments there and I think she grew on me more this book.
Yet, like with the first book, the ending was spectaculair. Just enough for me to want to continue on reading with the series. And yes I have a good idea of that very last bit to the ending. Which is why I want to read on with the series.
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Transphobia, and Addiction
bigotrykirstym25'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
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Ableism
jamieleepilk'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: Dysphoria, Sexism, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, and Death