Scan barcode
tkatt20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Im kind of lost on what I feel about this book. It was good, but I tend to be a detective when reading, so I was searching for every plot twist and I solved 90% of this book within the first 50 or so pages. That didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book, it just made it seem very slow paced for me when I usually like quicker fantasy novels. The premise and the storyline was very interesting, I lost a little on the world building, but considering the entire book is set in a prison that the MC arrived at when she was 7, it kind of makes sense. The characters were interesting enough to hold my attention, and for being only 17, the MC was very mature and resourceful. I would have loved to see more of the side characters and some of the little details of the Prison more fleshed out but it was alright. Everything was mostly saved by the ending in my opinion.
If you're the type of person who doesn't search for plot twists and just wants a fun and quick read then this would be perfect for you. This checks off all the boxes of a basic YA fantasy and it was definitely worth the time. The ending was amazing and I hope the next one does more in terms of world building.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Torture, Violence, Sexual assault, Slavery, Mental illness, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Medical content, Physical abuse, Vomit, Chronic illness, and Addiction
Minor: Sexism, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Bullying, and Child death
cursedcheez'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
3.75
- amazing twist (IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!!!)
- very very descriptive, sometimes sounding a bit pretentious/fake deep
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, and Self harm
maregred's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, and Violence
dariusmortee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is why I said I did find the characters to be loveable.
Kiva herself wasn’t the worst main character but I think she could’ve been better. Jaren annoyed me.
I did enjoy reading this book! Although it really does fall into some tropes it is an orginal story. A story with a very dark undertone, for which I am a sucker. I am curious to how this story proceeds and will be buying the second one, but I am however also scared for the clichés it could possibly walk into.
Overall: good story, loved the side characters but it has to watch out not to fall into the clichés.
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Torture, and Child death
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
lily_k8y'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
Loved the use of some of the pages, and the element of suspense that kept me wanting to know more and more.
Looking forward to the sequel!!!
Graphic: Torture, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Child death, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Minor: Rape
readundancies'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The first half of the book is very much meant to set up the events of the second, but it does so with a rather slow and meandering pace. So while I was invested and entertained, I was not so engrossed that I couldn’t put it down. I think that has a bit to do with the world-building itself.
Now don't get me wrong, the world-building as a whole was not poor, but I wanted more out of it, especially since we were supposed to be in a prison setting. I never truly got a proper feel of Wenderall, let alone Zalindov, and I'm not sure if that's because I really wanted to feel fear in it's imposing presence or because the map and it's gorgeous design wasn't enough in comparison to what the writing actually depicted of the setting.
(AN ASIDE: Regarding the map(s), Francesca Baerald you wily ass cartographer you - I'm no artist but damn, that is how you map people. The compass at the bottom of the world map is simply parfait.)
But world-building aside, the slow plot progression of the first half gives way to the much more invigorating and suspenseful second half, with all the truth bombs and heavy twists that I was waiting for.
Yes, I say waiting for because in terms of plot predictability, I'm giving this an arbitrary rating of 90%. Which is not actually to the books detriment, because I thought the decisions made in terms of plot were executed really well, even though I knew they were bound to occur. Some context might be helpful here in terms of my exact thoughts when certain reveals were made:
- About Jaren: “I knew it” - Not completely in terms of accuracy but I was essentially close enough that it doesn't even matter.
- About Kiva: “I fuckin’ knew it” - This one I saw coming a mile away. The moment the jealousy induced tragedy of a history between Evalon's royalty was told just cemented Kiva's role in everything.
- About Tilda: “Okay, cool. Cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool.” - This one got me. I thought it was an interesting twist, but also was kinda meh about it at the same time because it also put the entirety of Kiva's character into question at the end and I have a love-hate relationship with unreliable narration.
Speaking of relationships, the relationship between Jaren and Kiva is definitely hinting at a slow burn. But Kiva’s got some mountains to traverse that will not be like climbing molehills when it comes to cultivating that relationship because one side has revealed quite a bit about themselves and the other, not so much. Can we talk about the slow burn though? Because I need it. I need it like air and water and the sequel.
The characterization within the novel was done well for the most part. I'm not in love with Jaren or Kiva, but I'm 100% behind Naari and Tipp even though I feel like there's still more we can get out of their characters. The Warden Rooke and Cresta acted as fairly tolerable antagonists but in terms of actual threats? I wasn't convinced.
I'm interested to see how all the political machinations are going to come into play in The Gilded Cage, especially because Kiva seems extremely naive considering she's got no idea how the outside world actually works since she's been in prison for the better part of a decade and also because the role she seems destined to play is not one in which you can just slip into that easily. Also, Kiva’s family better have some damn good reasons of atonement because I’m not impressed with their lack of efforts with respect to prison break. Unless of course there's a more sinister reason behind it
All of this is just to say, that yes, this book was great.
Yes, I will be picking up the sequel.
And yes, you should too.
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Physical abuse, and Murder
Minor: Rape
larainsidebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There is so much in here than just being in a prison for 10 years. There are mysteries to be solved, the past that haunts you, a hope of being rescued, a rebel movement rising (both inside and outside of prison) and Kiva is just in the middle of all of it. And then Jaren shows up. He is kind, considerate, protective and everything else you could imagine about a potential
I loved Naari and Kiva as characters. Kiva is so layered and I love the way she thinks. As the prison healer, she is responsible for the lives of new inmates, as well as for everyone else who gets hurt or ill. The stomach virus isn't exactly helping, and it's no surprise that the problems she faces just keep piling up. Especially with the arrival of the Rebel Queen, who Kiva must keep alive (for various reasons).
Like this all isn't enough, Kiva volunteers to take her place to fight for their lives in the Trial by Ordeal, which means if Kiva wins, they are both free. However, if Kiva fails, the Queen dies.
The whole plot about the Trials was less interesting to me, as I was sure that Kiva could make it, but I was more intrigued about the mysterious sickness that was spreading through the prison.
Kiva's backstory was so wonderfully explained, through flashbacks and her tender conversations with Jaren. I loved how the author didn't shy away from discussing heavy topics like addictions, grief and self-harm. All of that really added to the story in the best way possible.
MY SPOILER THOUGHTS BELOW
AZGWAGFZFHAFH THE REBEL QUEEN IS KIVA'S MOTHER AFAZVBAFVH
this explains why she wanted to hear the story about Kiva's father again
I also can't imagine how hard it must've been for Kiva to try to keep her alive, not just because Cresta threathened her, but because she was her mother!!!
I have to say, Jaren's identity was constantly in the back of my mind, but even when I was almost sure that he was the prince, when he saved Kiva during the Trial by Water, I suspected that he was just some "anomaly", as he said that there could be people not of the royal bloodline who had the powers!
Also, the fact that Jaren (can't and won't stop calling him that) goes by his middle name in the prison and that only friends and family call him that makes me think of Poppy and Hawke (From Blood and Ash)!
As for Kiva's powers, since she was the healer and the moment they were discussing the two bloodlines with different powers, something in the back of my mind stirred and whispered: "Could this mean something for Kiva??" Of course I forgot about that so I was still shocked when her true origin was revealed. Even if I figured that she must have healing magic, I would've considered her not of royal blood, so that made the final reveal even more shocking!
I knew going into this that I can expect plot twists and I imagined something with an identity switch, but even knowing that, this book really shocked me!
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Torture
Minor: Addiction, Grief, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Vomit