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sandy_21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
Minor: Gaslighting
elwirax's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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
3.0
3.5/5 maybe?
PROS:
The writing style was very easy to get into. It flowed nicely and wasn't too flowery (although it seemed rather serious and lacked humour)
I liked the romance between Ayla and Crier. While it wasn't entirely a slow burn, it was a true enemies to lovers (back to sort of enemies). The moments of passion between them were tense and it was great.
The author did a great job of addressing power dynamics and privilege (specifically looking at the oppressed becoming the oppressors).
While Crier was not my favourite character I very much admired her determination to voice her own beliefs in politics despite her controlling father. I hope this is something that is explored more in the second book.
CONS:
The start of "Crier's War" was saturated with info dumping as opposed to having things revealed gradually. This made the pacing very jarring and siffting through the information was much more difficult by the half way point. While the flashbacks were relevantly placed they weren't all smoothly incorporated into the text and I was almost thrown off by the sudden change in timeline. (This did get better over the course of the book though)
The world building was very well done however character development and relationships weren't all there. At times Crier was far too naive and trustworthy for a character I thought was meant to be the complete opposite. I was supposed to be invested in her character the most (she is the lead after all), yet I found myself more interested in the side characters. As much I enjoyed the romance between Ayla and Crier I didn't think it was established enough for me to be fully invested.
I saw many of the plot twists coming (granted this is more my own fault for being so skeptical and questioning of everything)
Overall, I think this was a very good debut with intricate worldbuilding and an interesting plot. I enjoyed "Crier's War" enough for me to be invested in the second part of this duology and I can't wait to see how everything plays out.
PROS:
The writing style was very easy to get into. It flowed nicely and wasn't too flowery (although it seemed rather serious and lacked humour)
I liked the romance between Ayla and Crier. While it wasn't entirely a slow burn, it was a true enemies to lovers (back to sort of enemies). The moments of passion between them were tense and it was great.
The author did a great job of addressing power dynamics and privilege (specifically looking at the oppressed becoming the oppressors).
While Crier was not my favourite character I very much admired her determination to voice her own beliefs in politics despite her controlling father. I hope this is something that is explored more in the second book.
CONS:
The start of "Crier's War" was saturated with info dumping as opposed to having things revealed gradually. This made the pacing very jarring and siffting through the information was much more difficult by the half way point. While the flashbacks were relevantly placed they weren't all smoothly incorporated into the text and I was almost thrown off by the sudden change in timeline. (This did get better over the course of the book though)
The world building was very well done however character development and relationships weren't all there. At times Crier was far too naive and trustworthy for a character I thought was meant to be the complete opposite. I was supposed to be invested in her character the most (she is the lead after all), yet I found myself more interested in the side characters. As much I enjoyed the romance between Ayla and Crier I didn't think it was established enough for me to be fully invested.
I saw many of the plot twists coming (granted this is more my own fault for being so skeptical and questioning of everything)
Overall, I think this was a very good debut with intricate worldbuilding and an interesting plot. I enjoyed "Crier's War" enough for me to be invested in the second part of this duology and I can't wait to see how everything plays out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
"crier wanted to study her like a map. draw an easy path between all the specific yet scattered points of her."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
philmarie321's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Grief, Gore, Genocide, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Child death, and Blood
idanolberger's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Going into this book, I didn't really know too much and I also didn't have any expectations. I only knew it was a Sapphic fantasy with the enemies-to-lovers trope. Like many others, I am a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope. While it could've had more tension between Crier and Ayla, it was still good.
I was, at first, a bit turned off by the info-dump in the beginning. I didn't quite understand much of it, nor was I able to keep all the information in my head for more than 2 seconds, making it a bit hard to follow. I would have preferred to get into the book and the world before getting a history lesson in said world. I did listen to the book which might make it more difficult with all the years and numbers. But once I was past that section I was sucked into an intriguing story about two girls, from very different backgrounds, whos lives get intertwined in complicated ways.
I found the characters in this book very interesting and well written. The wlw representation was good. I especially like that the book didn't include a huge triangle drama with a boy. I like the slow building of Ayla and Crier's relationship and trust and how fragile it is. How one wrong move can break it all down to nothing. But I found the pacing kind of weird at times.
I had a strong dislike for Kinok early in the book and it only grew as the story continued. He is a great villain, and abuser. His abuse of Crier is not physical but psychological. He essentially gaslights her throughout the book, manipulating her and her thoughts. It's not an obvious abuse as it is not visible from the outside, it is barely even visible to Crier for a substantial part of the book, which is why I think it is so brilliant. You only get hints of it and a bad feeling, but not very much palpable proof.
All in all, I liked the book (the ending had me hooked) and I am looking forward to reading the second book!
I was, at first, a bit turned off by the info-dump in the beginning. I didn't quite understand much of it, nor was I able to keep all the information in my head for more than 2 seconds, making it a bit hard to follow. I would have preferred to get into the book and the world before getting a history lesson in said world. I did listen to the book which might make it more difficult with all the years and numbers. But once I was past that section I was sucked into an intriguing story about two girls, from very different backgrounds, whos lives get intertwined in complicated ways.
I found the characters in this book very interesting and well written. The wlw representation was good. I especially like that the book didn't include a huge triangle drama with a boy. I like the slow building of Ayla and Crier's relationship and trust and how fragile it is. How one wrong move can break it all down to nothing. But I found the pacing kind of weird at times.
All in all, I liked the book (the ending had me hooked) and I am looking forward to reading the second book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
alouette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What an absolutely beautiful read! Valera's debut novel is full of so much emotion, a lesbian romance that was absolutely heart-wrenching, and many twists and turns. I've been reading some plot heavy novels lately, but this one perfectly balanced character depth and exploration with a plot that took me by surprise with its reveals. I love the worldbuilding as well- the history of the War of Kinds and the different ways Automae see humans was really fascinating. The pacing was excellent as well, with lots happening but moments of respite (the tide pool scene!!!!) that kept it from feeling too fast.
Going back to the romance though- the descriptions of how Ayla and Crier see each other, the overlapping moments and POV switches giving their different perspectives, all of it was breathtaking. No matter what happened, I was always cheering them on and wishing the best for them. I can't wait to continue doing so in the sequel.
music pairing: moonday by flor
Going back to the romance though- the descriptions of how Ayla and Crier see each other, the overlapping moments and POV switches giving their different perspectives, all of it was breathtaking. No matter what happened, I was always cheering them on and wishing the best for them. I can't wait to continue doing so in the sequel.
music pairing: moonday by flor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Toxic relationship
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