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marasong's review against another edition
5.0
The synopsis + cover of this gave me pause, but I finally relented and gave it a shot. Unfortunately, I decided it would be a good book to maybe read a couple of chapters of to help me fall asleep.
Mistakes were made. It’s now after 9am, and did I sleep? Nope. I read the ENTIRE thing in one sitting.
Mistakes were made. It’s now after 9am, and did I sleep? Nope. I read the ENTIRE thing in one sitting.
kirbyd10's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
wisteriashysteria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
it was good, could’ve been great. Wish we actually learned more about Mir outside of her wanting power, and the epilogue left much to be desired
nothoughts_mt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
consumed_by_mold's review against another edition
3.0
⭐3.5
The first half of the book was a bit hard for me to connect to because the relationship a purely sexual one; a lot of smut with a lot of coldness. It definitely felt emotionally one-sided, but understandable enough because unlike our naive protagonist we know a lot more about "Assistant" and can guess why she's being such an ice queen. There isn't much sci-fi and at some points I felt claustrophobic being in this one single space almost the whole book.
The second part was more enjoyable, I worried about this being no plot, only vibes, but that too changed right when I was getting too restless.
Slavery and ending slavery isn't much discussed, to my dissapointment. It is confirmed in the epilogue that slavery will be abolished in the future, which was very important to me, however nothing of the sort happens during the story itself.
Ari doesn't talk or think a lot of politics and it never ended up being a conflict exactly, which would've been nice to include, but Ari just isn't that type of person unfortunately. Like I said, she is very naive and... sheltered.
Basically slavery existing was at no point the conflict between Ari and "Assistant", nor Mir and the empire. It exists and kinda sucks, but otherwise is just ignored and, dare I say, tolerated. I'm not happy about that.
At some points it was really hard to read from Ari's POV because she is so clueless and innocent. Almost childlike compared to our ice queen love interest. Ari is very predictable and so disconnected from everything/what's actually happening to the point of ignorance, so basically nothing happens most of the time.
Ari annoyed me by being so ignorant about slaves existing and how they're being treated, that she even forgets on multiple occasions how that would affect "Assistant". Not even knowing that they're seen as objects to be owned and considered not human.
Girl.... the privilege is showing. (Though she probably doesn't know what that is either lmao)
The story felt a lot longer than it canonically is, I was surprised everything happened in such short amount of time? It felt like more days/weeks had passed than actually were. But that was only mildly disorienting and easily brushed aside.
And lastly the smut is dubious/non-con at first, along with a more experienced / older love interest, who is using our younger protagonist. If you're not up for a age gap erotica with an obsessive and possessive older lady that would absolutely stab you if she didn't already decide you belong to her now, this is not for you.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Slavery, Violence, (Age Gap)
***** some spoiler thoughts:*****
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***** some spoiler thoughts:*****
I also wish Mir wouldn't be using slaves too, I honestly believed that was the reason for her fight and hate towards the empire. The reason why she wants to change things, especially considering her own experiences and anger during the book. She seemed to look down on everyone for having slaves and the treatment. Even arguing with Ari and proving points ect. It came as an absolute surprise to me that she actually had slaves herself. I would think that goes against her code or something. Being a rebel and all.
Her lie about being a slave could've been just that: a lie to save herself. And then Ari could've found out that actually the Pirates don't do slavery at all and actually hate the empire for these reasons. Maybe even are escaped ex-slaves or something.
It would've made more sense politically, instead of having others join her ONLY because she has more protection to offer. We know none of her motives apart from wanting power and that's kind of a shame. Like what is her deal apart from wanting to rule?
The first half of the book was a bit hard for me to connect to because the relationship a purely sexual one; a lot of smut with a lot of coldness. It definitely felt emotionally one-sided, but understandable enough because unlike our naive protagonist we know a lot more about "Assistant" and can guess why she's being such an ice queen. There isn't much sci-fi and at some points I felt claustrophobic being in this one single space almost the whole book.
The second part was more enjoyable, I worried about this being no plot, only vibes, but that too changed right when I was getting too restless.
Slavery and ending slavery isn't much discussed, to my dissapointment. It is confirmed in the epilogue that slavery will be abolished in the future, which was very important to me, however nothing of the sort happens during the story itself.
Ari doesn't talk or think a lot of politics and it never ended up being a conflict exactly, which would've been nice to include, but Ari just isn't that type of person unfortunately. Like I said, she is very naive and... sheltered.
Basically slavery existing was at no point the conflict between Ari and "Assistant", nor Mir and the empire. It exists and kinda sucks, but otherwise is just ignored and, dare I say, tolerated. I'm not happy about that.
At some points it was really hard to read from Ari's POV because she is so clueless and innocent. Almost childlike compared to our ice queen love interest. Ari is very predictable and so disconnected from everything/what's actually happening to the point of ignorance, so basically nothing happens most of the time.
Ari annoyed me by being so ignorant about slaves existing and how they're being treated, that she even forgets on multiple occasions how that would affect "Assistant". Not even knowing that they're seen as objects to be owned and considered not human.
Girl.... the privilege is showing. (Though she probably doesn't know what that is either lmao)
The story felt a lot longer than it canonically is, I was surprised everything happened in such short amount of time? It felt like more days/weeks had passed than actually were. But that was only mildly disorienting and easily brushed aside.
And lastly the smut is dubious/non-con at first, along with a more experienced / older love interest, who is using our younger protagonist. If you're not up for a age gap erotica with an obsessive and possessive older lady that would absolutely stab you if she didn't already decide you belong to her now, this is not for you.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Slavery, Violence, (Age Gap)
***** some spoiler thoughts:*****
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
***** some spoiler thoughts:*****
I also wish Mir wouldn't be using slaves too, I honestly believed that was the reason for her fight and hate towards the empire. The reason why she wants to change things, especially considering her own experiences and anger during the book. She seemed to look down on everyone for having slaves and the treatment. Even arguing with Ari and proving points ect. It came as an absolute surprise to me that she actually had slaves herself. I would think that goes against her code or something. Being a rebel and all.
Her lie about being a slave could've been just that: a lie to save herself. And then Ari could've found out that actually the Pirates don't do slavery at all and actually hate the empire for these reasons. Maybe even are escaped ex-slaves or something.
It would've made more sense politically, instead of having others join her ONLY because she has more protection to offer. We know none of her motives apart from wanting power and that's kind of a shame. Like what is her deal apart from wanting to rule?
elialoves's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
chaosreignited's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Great book, the ending felt rushed, very much not a fan of the epilogue.
niksta84's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-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
5.0
sparkleslily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5