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lightn1ngb0lt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, War, Addiction, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death, Death of parent, and Blood
dwinn5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
No (unmarked) spoilers, but I almost can’t believe I didn’t see some of the stuff in this book coming. The beginning hooked me so well that I could barely put it down; the characters and world are easy to get invested in quickly. The middle got a little slow for my taste for a while there, but it picked back up toward the end and then shocked me so much that I put the book down and stared at the ceiling for a little while. The plot twists and some of the world-building stuff made me feel a way that I haven’t since the 2010s dystopia days, which I loved.
Overall, such a fun read!! Had to rush out to buy the next two, cannot wait to find out where this is going. I just know it’s going to hurt 😁
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Misogyny, Medical trauma, Medical content, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Blood, and Violence
queen_melliott's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
It’s funny how sometimes I cannot warm up to the characters throughout the whole book and don’t care if they live or die. And then other times, as it was with The Prison Healer, I am so invested in the characters from the getgo. Kiva, Jaren, Naari, Tipp, Mot, I just loved them all. Watching their bonds grow stronger over time, watching their banter, growing trust and support of one another made me grow ever fonder of them. It all felt very realistic for the setting. Also, the romance was built up slowly despite the initial spark between Kiva and Jaren, which I was very relieved about. An insta-love-y romance might have ruined it for me.
Another thing that was developed slowly and tastefully was the world building. It was continuously woven throughout the story and felt organic.
The story orders never got repetitive or boring, despite being set in only one place for 500 pages (in German). There was a lot going on with the friendships, romance, trials, the rebel Queen’s mysterious illness, the plague and overall dynamic at the prison. However, all the stories were woven together organically and made sense, so it never felt like there was too much going on all at once.
One aspect I do have to complain about was the extremely foreseeable plot twists. It’s also not too difficult to imagine where the story might go, but I still can’t wait to get my hands on the sequels.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Physical abuse
Minor: Confinement, Sexual assault, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Child death, Death of parent, Rape, Vomit, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
molly_love'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
4.75
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Blood, Gore, Self harm, Murder, Torture, Violence, Bullying, and Drug use
ssc1109'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
Jaw on the ground, brain is doing somersaults and I'm skipping around the house in triumph and awe. I picked this book up on a whim because of a review I saw on Bookstagram and the phenomenal rating on StoryGraph. NEVER in my life did I think I would have enjoyed it this much.
This is a dark, thrilling, mysterious tale full of elemental magic, hidden identity and "rightful heir" battles. There are some predictable plot twists but still some that I did not see coming at all.
The pacing was fast, the setting is very small so no large world building (yet?) and fantastic, loveable characters.
I just...I need book two now. I'm so glad I picked this up with the trilogy finished because there's no way I would be able to wait.
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Blood and Drug abuse
Minor: Sexual violence and Rape
n0elle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Slavery, Sexual assault, Death, Body horror, Classism, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Child abuse, Gore, War, Police brutality, Physical abuse, and Violence
hopefullreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Sexual violence, Torture, Addiction, Blood, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Self harm
catsandbookspluspup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Blood, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, and Torture
hollybollybingbong's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
The language at times felt quite repetitive, and the trials were a bit of a let down to be honest, but I very much enjoyed reading it
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Suicide attempt
dontwanthvn's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, Confinement, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Rape, Child death, Suicide, Physical abuse, Vomit, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment