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melodyseestrees's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
The novel blurb may lead you to believe that the crucial element is the dead body but that plays a small small roll in the actual plot. There are some rather unbelievable but still enjoyable elements- The leaders of the land relying on a 14 year old and her friend to make sense of political issues and power grabs - is a key example.
I adored the sentient bread and the relatively well-thought-out magic system. There was realism in the magic and non-magic relations that could be compared to relations between groups in the real world.
There was a MacGuffin element at the end of the book in the form of a specific character but said character wasn't wholly involved otherwise. The young characters accurately and often criticize that the heroism fell to them to do and pointed out multiple adults who failed in their jobs and caused this. A refreshing take amongst all the young adult fantasy characters that exist. There is also a brief criticism in how wars function in regards to those in the wars.
There is a little judgment on the form of magic characters are able to do and a sort of hierarchy in terms of abilities. There is also very much a class system ("useless" magickers and the destitute are relegated to 'the rat's nest' and slums in a specific part of the land) and several important characters have ties to the lowest seen parts of the system.
There is a lot of humor to lighten the tense moments but I do wish some of the tense bits had a but more gravity to them.The dead girl in the bakery is found and when her brother comes to look for proof he does the majority of his grieving off page and in the next chapter is acting like his sister never really existed in favor of helping our lead girl escape persecution.
I adored the sentient bread and the relatively well-thought-out magic system. There was realism in the magic and non-magic relations that could be compared to relations between groups in the real world.
There was a MacGuffin element at the end of the book in the form of a specific character but said character wasn't wholly involved otherwise. The young characters accurately and often criticize that the heroism fell to them to do and pointed out multiple adults who failed in their jobs and caused this. A refreshing take amongst all the young adult fantasy characters that exist. There is also a brief criticism in how wars function in regards to those in the wars.
There is a little judgment on the form of magic characters are able to do and a sort of hierarchy in terms of abilities. There is also very much a class system ("useless" magickers and the destitute are relegated to 'the rat's nest' and slums in a specific part of the land) and several important characters have ties to the lowest seen parts of the system.
There is a lot of humor to lighten the tense moments but I do wish some of the tense bits had a but more gravity to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: War, Child death, and Animal death
Minor: Classism, Death of parent, Vomit, Stalking, Deportation, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Ableism
The sourdough starter is mentioned to have eaten rats, bite people, and regularly consumes meat. There are necromanced animals and zombie animals mentioned. None of this is described in excessive detail.
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