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pointeshoebookworm'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
3.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Gun violence, Grief, Death, War, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ctara2123'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
3.75
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Torture and Gun violence
Minor: Death and War
jasper_is_atypical'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
3.5
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Torture
Minor: Classism, Death, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
booksthatburn'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
4.0
Karis is trying to get free of the Scriptorium and find her brother, whom she last saw seven years ago. Alix is an automaton Karis finds before escaping, and a large part of his arc revolves around figuring out the extent to which his mechanical origins define him, how much it matters to how he goes about existing in the world.
The worldbuilding is mostly in the background and in little details, like the clothing. This isn't a book that sets out to dazzle with the setting, the setting exists to support the characters rather than to be a huge presence itself. The plot is pretty linear, and I don't want to spoil it. This is a very character-driven book, with most of the tension revolving around the characters deciding how to proceed based on a few key factors which they can't affect much. Where this really shines is in characterization and character development. They don't become totally different people or something, but rather they become more confident and self-aware versions of themselves as they gain allies and figure out their path forward.
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Slavery
anniereads221'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: Slavery, Grief, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Slavery, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse and Confinement
Minor: Death of parent
emily_mh'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
There were two main issues with this book for me. The first is that it was told in 1st person POV, alternating between Karis and Alix - the alternating POV was necessary, but it definitely needed 3rd person not 1st, as Karis and Alix's "voices" were so so similar. The second issue is that I think this may have been better off as a duology. The ending just felt a little rushed, and I don't think there was enough time in this book to build up the magnitude of the "final battle".
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief, Death, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Blood
melaniereadsbooks'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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Confinement, Slavery, Violence, Gun violence, Torture, Death of parent, and Ableism
queerly_reading'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
I did expect for the main characters Asexuality to come up more, but it was only mentioned a few times. But, I also think that’s okay, because it was treated as really not a big deal, as just a totally normal thing, which I appreciated.
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Death of parent