Scan barcode
michaelat21's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
This book was not what I would consider ya. It was filled with drugs, addiction, abuse, animal cruelty. I couldn’t relate to the main character at all and found myself upset for most of the book. I only liked one character the whole book. I am hopeful the third book is better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Medical trauma, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
agooding's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Animal death and Gore
Minor: Murder
kristinrdub's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
What could be better than faerie drugs and monster boyfriend? Holly Black makes these tales just dark enough to make you reconsider ever wanting to see a fae and also makes you hope you still will. A runaway girl becomes a reluctant troll errand girl with a side hustle of murder solving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Drug use, Vomit, and Violence
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
amypalmer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
My rating would be a 2.5
This book wasn't awful and was a quick fairly easy read however most of its pages are about graphic drug using and abusing, a very slow start and an abrupt end. There is also some animal cruelty that I didn't like at all. Similarly to tithe the mother figure is problematic to say the least.
In this book I like the character Ravus and found Val likeable when they are together, Luis also is ok nearer the end. Who is the audience of this book, it is not suitable for teens as the themes are too dark however there is no depth for adult readers. Not enough fantasy and world building.
Although the main characters are different this is a sequel to Tithe, however you only notice this in the last 50 pages or so.
This book wasn't awful and was a quick fairly easy read however most of its pages are about graphic drug using and abusing, a very slow start and an abrupt end. There is also some animal cruelty that I didn't like at all. Similarly to tithe the mother figure is problematic to say the least.
In this book I like the character Ravus and found Val likeable when they are together, Luis also is ok nearer the end. Who is the audience of this book, it is not suitable for teens as the themes are too dark however there is no depth for adult readers. Not enough fantasy and world building.
Although the main characters are different this is a sequel to Tithe, however you only notice this in the last 50 pages or so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
sienna727's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
The only reason someone should ever pick up this book is to use it as kindling.
This is NOT a YA book and the story and characters are incredibly messed up.
0/5
This is NOT a YA book and the story and characters are incredibly messed up.
0/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
sassper17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
sleeping_jem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Though not as strong as the first book in the series, Valiant is still a very well written book which blends the dangers of the real world with the excitement and intrigue of the fantasy world.
Generally darker and grittier in tone than Tithe, potential readers should be aware that this story features sensitive topics such as homelessness and drug abuse. The romance element is once again quite light but does end up being a driving factor in the story.
Val is a complex character who often confounds or frustrates the reader but is nonetheless an interesting protagonist. Her actions feel in line with the behaviour of a struggling teenager who feels abandoned by her friends and family, even if they are often misguided and lead to trouble.
The setting of New York city is an unlikely place for a faerie story - a bold choice which expands on the worldbuilding begun in Tithe but might have been a bit more clear or detailed at times.
The cast of supporting characters (including the love interest) felt slightly under-developed; while morally ambiguous characters are realistic, the four friends Val spends time with all have similar temperaments and flaws, making them slightly indistinguishable. Several of them have no backstory whatsoever, and the characters who do recieve very little time to explore their respective pasts.
Overall, a well-written and unique book which doesn't hesitate to explore the darkest parts of both the human and faerie worlds. My main criticism lies in the fact that I couldn't help but feel while I was reading this book that it mainly served to set up the final book in the series.
Generally darker and grittier in tone than Tithe, potential readers should be aware that this story features sensitive topics such as homelessness and drug abuse. The romance element is once again quite light but does end up being a driving factor in the story.
Val is a complex character who often confounds or frustrates the reader but is nonetheless an interesting protagonist. Her actions feel in line with the behaviour of a struggling teenager who feels abandoned by her friends and family, even if they are often misguided and lead to trouble.
The setting of New York city is an unlikely place for a faerie story - a bold choice which expands on the worldbuilding begun in Tithe but might have been a bit more clear or detailed at times.
The cast of supporting characters (including the love interest) felt slightly under-developed; while morally ambiguous characters are realistic, the four friends Val spends time with all have similar temperaments and flaws, making them slightly indistinguishable. Several of them have no backstory whatsoever, and the characters who do recieve very little time to explore their respective pasts.
Overall, a well-written and unique book which doesn't hesitate to explore the darkest parts of both the human and faerie worlds. My main criticism lies in the fact that I couldn't help but feel while I was reading this book that it mainly served to set up the final book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
myranda_the_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
While this book is technically the second in the series, I've read it first, out of order. I like that it can stand on it's own - I didn't feel lost. There was good world building and some decent character development, though I did find the pace lagged at times and some things felt repetitious. There are some darker themes in this so definitely older YA. I would also note that there's some murky consent issues for sure; not graphically depicted but definitely present.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Violence and Animal death
Minor: Sexual content
willgilmore_87's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
eloisenicolina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Addiction
Moderate: Sexual assault