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kysariin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
i wish i could give this book 5 stars. i LOVE fantasy books, and the way that it approached queer relationships so casually (didn't make it seem novel) made me love it even more. i loved the world building and actual LORE behind the world and story piper cj was telling.
although about halfway through the book i began to question her choice on writing nox's character. as a white woman i don't have much of a voice in this conversation, but i was hoping she was going to be written in a more empowering way. black women in media are so often mitigated to their sexuality and physical appearance, and immediately nox started being written in an objectifying, degrading way. no other woman in the book had their curves commented on. why is the northern kingdom seen as evil and almost exclusively poc? there are so many racist tones in this book that didn't even work towards getting addressed in an effective, smart way. it just seemed like "this is the way that it is here *shrug*"
who knows. maybe the next book will address the racism on the continent cj wrote. and fix all of the grammatical errors. i will be reading it and keeping track of this world closely.
although about halfway through the book i began to question her choice on writing nox's character. as a white woman i don't have much of a voice in this conversation, but i was hoping she was going to be written in a more empowering way. black women in media are so often mitigated to their sexuality and physical appearance, and immediately nox started being written in an objectifying, degrading way. no other woman in the book had their curves commented on. why is the northern kingdom seen as evil and almost exclusively poc? there are so many racist tones in this book that didn't even work towards getting addressed in an effective, smart way. it just seemed like "this is the way that it is here *shrug*"
who knows. maybe the next book will address the racism on the continent cj wrote. and fix all of the grammatical errors. i will be reading it and keeping track of this world closely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault
birdsmum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, War, and Xenophobia
aviery's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Blood, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Death
Minor: Confinement
ashtreerandall's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
maddie_oz's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Instantly hooked - complicated and often morally gray characters. "Witcher" vibes. Bisexual fantasy in the best way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
hexatrance's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
[1st Edition - preRevisions]
[3.5 ⭐] I was so hyped for this and it was kinda disappointing. Piper's tiktok's said it was a bisexual fantasy but the male love interest is barely in it and there's no connection between them, so the romance isn't bisexual in book 1. Plus the female love interests is so intense, in the best way, that I can't see the male interest getting much of a chance. We needed more interactions with the dark fae leading up to the final act. The book definitely needs a grammar scrub up and a lot more chapter breaks, especially in part 1. Part 1 felt like a bit long and slow, but part 2 built up the lore in the most heartbreaking way and the time in the reev was my favourite part. Part 2 was where I really started to get into it. Then part 3 and 4 were enjoyable but a lil clunky at times. The lore in this book is really interesting and was what kept me reading. I can see the norse and witcher influence in it. I probably will read the others and I hope Pipers current editing spree will smooth over in the other books some of the stuff that I disliked about book 1.
[3.5 ⭐] I was so hyped for this and it was kinda disappointing. Piper's tiktok's said it was a bisexual fantasy but the male love interest is barely in it and there's no connection between them, so the romance isn't bisexual in book 1. Plus the female love interests is so intense, in the best way, that I can't see the male interest getting much of a chance. We needed more interactions with the dark fae leading up to the final act. The book definitely needs a grammar scrub up and a lot more chapter breaks, especially in part 1. Part 1 felt like a bit long and slow, but part 2 built up the lore in the most heartbreaking way and the time in the reev was my favourite part. Part 2 was where I really started to get into it. Then part 3 and 4 were enjoyable but a lil clunky at times. The lore in this book is really interesting and was what kept me reading. I can see the norse and witcher influence in it. I probably will read the others and I hope Pipers current editing spree will smooth over in the other books some of the stuff that I disliked about book 1.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
aquariusvintage's review against another edition
TW: BULLYING, SCHOOL VI0LENCE
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This book and entire series was DNF due to the author's and editor's horrific actions. As other reviewers have stated, this author and editor bullied and harassed readers/reviewers on Goodreads because of their honest feedback on the book. The author and editor took the reviews very personally and were vindictive with the criticism that they received. Author described the incident as a "human moment," which is complete bullshit. Equating someone to a sch00l sh00ter and a ped0phile and saying they have no literary taste is appalling. The reviewer originally gave the book 3 stars and said they enjoyed it! Cj Piper's reaction to criticism and her values are the specific reasons why I will not be supporting this author's work in any way.
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EDIT: TW: Racial trauma, sexual trauma, white saviorism
Upon further reflection, the premise of this series is also very problematic by centering a WOC's trauma and the white saviorism that is reflected throughout the writing.
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This book and entire series was DNF due to the author's and editor's horrific actions. As other reviewers have stated, this author and editor bullied and harassed readers/reviewers on Goodreads because of their honest feedback on the book. The author and editor took the reviews very personally and were vindictive with the criticism that they received. Author described the incident as a "human moment," which is complete bullshit. Equating someone to a sch00l sh00ter and a ped0phile and saying they have no literary taste is appalling. The reviewer originally gave the book 3 stars and said they enjoyed it! Cj Piper's reaction to criticism and her values are the specific reasons why I will not be supporting this author's work in any way.
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EDIT: TW: Racial trauma, sexual trauma, white saviorism
Upon further reflection, the premise of this series is also very problematic by centering a WOC's trauma and the white saviorism that is reflected throughout the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Violence
unwise_samwise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Vomit, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual violence
teadancer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I Adored This Book. I went into it knowing very little other than that I liked the author's online content and that it was a queer high fantasy book. I have 0 regrets about going in blind! There were twists and turns that I just wasn't expecting that had me putting the book down to process (a good thing) and then jumping back in to see what happened next. I absolutely lost sleep reading this book. I am now (im)patiently waiting for the next book in May! The ONLY reason I didn't give this a full 5 stars is because of some editorial issues that took me out of the book when reading.
A specific things that I appreciate about this book were the description of dissociation and mental health struggles. The characters felt very real in their struggles and coping mechanisms.
One thing that I was less a fan of was how the main characters grew up together in what felt like a sibling "us against the world" dynamic that then moved into a romantic relationship. I'm not a huge fan of this relationship arc, but do see how it works for these characters.
If you are a fan of a morally gray protagonist, coming into their own character arcs, political intrigue, and wonderful queer rep (without it being about being queer) - read this book!!!
One thing that I was less a fan of was how the main characters grew up together in what felt like a sibling "us against the world" dynamic that then moved into a romantic relationship. I'm not a huge fan of this relationship arc, but do see how it works for these characters.
If you are a fan of a morally gray protagonist, coming into their own character arcs, political intrigue, and wonderful queer rep (without it being about being queer) - read this book!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Self harm, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Confinement
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