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heyheyhailey1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
Though the book starts out with *A LOT* of world-building, these complex pieces fall into place to create a really beautiful, new world. The magic system, creatures and realms of the Burn, the Fade and the Shade make for a really intriguing and creative backdrop for this character-driven story. I think there are a lot of different parts of this world to explore throughout the series.
I enjoyed the character growth and occasional other POVs to break up the story. Personally, I am always down for a badass FMC with emotional baggage. My only gripe with this book is an overuse of the “forgotten past” trope. I definitely got lost a few times trying to keep up with what I was supposed to understand already vs. was supposed pick up as I go. You don’t end the book knowing how everything fits together exactly. I found it annoying that Raeve seems to know things that the reader doesn’t get any insight into which is frustrating and strange in a first person POV.
SPOILERS !I understand how Raeve needed to evolve through her grief to remember her past. I think the character has legitimate reasons to push things away rather than reckon with them, and generally enjoyed piecing her identity back together as she learned to be more vulnerable. HOWEVER I do not understand how one character has THREE separate histories that the reader knows nothing about. I am leaving book 1 with more questions than answers. Who the hell is Fallon? What is the Other and where did it come from? I am going to have to google if we found out what her dragonflame healing was from because I don’t know if I missed it or if this also a secret at this point in the story?
I will definitely read book 2 when it comes out, excited to discover more pieces to the puzzle about Raeve’s past and their implications on her future.
I enjoyed the character growth and occasional other POVs to break up the story. Personally, I am always down for a badass FMC with emotional baggage. My only gripe with this book is an overuse of the “forgotten past” trope. I definitely got lost a few times trying to keep up with what I was supposed to understand already vs. was supposed pick up as I go. You don’t end the book knowing how everything fits together exactly. I found it annoying that Raeve seems to know things that the reader doesn’t get any insight into which is frustrating and strange in a first person POV.
SPOILERS !
I will definitely read book 2 when it comes out, excited to discover more pieces to the puzzle about Raeve’s past and their implications on her future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Vomit, Blood, Death, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Misogyny and Animal cruelty
Minor: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
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