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saucywench813's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming and Sexual content
Minor: Death, War, and Death of parent
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The world building and magic system is interesting (if not semi-lazy with the quasi-Russian culture) but the characters are flat and one dimensional. I was waffling on whether or not to continue the series but the idea of what comes next from the main character's POV doesn't thrill me so I'll probably look up what happens instead.
It's bizarre that the main character starts out as an orphan from war (roughly 8 years old), and seems mature beyond her 17 years by the time the main story arc starts (she is an apprentice cartographer in the army), and then regresses into angsty teenager drama full of petty, juvenile, and shallow plot points because of a chosen one trope?
Lastly, the romance was bad. Both dudes are controlling and manipulative, want to possess her, don't actually care what she wants. Think of any high school romance drama and you will understand the tropes thrown in this book. There's literally a glow up/makeover scene (multiple times actually because they want to emphasize how much she's changed from the 'skinny-but-not-in-a-hot-way' person she was before).
Minor: Body shaming, Classism, Dysphoria, Blood, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Murder, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, War, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Violence
_piercingwords_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was... Fine. But it felt like a typical YA fantasy book and I read the Six of Crows duology first, which caught me a lot more. One who expects an equal to it may be a bit disappointed. Also not a huge fan of first person narrated stories.
Overall still an enjoyable read, if I get the chance I will read the other parts, the storyline has potential.
Graphic: Kidnapping and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death, Murder, Violence, War, Animal cruelty, and Death
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, and Death of parent
junenoble's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, War, and Violence
a_tiny_crow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: War, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Gore, and Alcohol
World building is great, but the characters are a little simplistic and tropey. Also I just can't take the Darkling seriously with a name like that. Like a 10-year-old's idea of a badass name for their online goth avatar.seren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
jstarshine16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
ana_belen_herrera's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and War
deereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood and Body shaming
fenna2002's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence