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onthesamepage's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I spent 80% of this book thinking about how slow paced it was, how much it followed the standard good vs evil, light vs dark plotlines that we've all seen a million times before, how the writing and the characterizations were uneven, and how much I really dislike instalove. Our main character has the personality of mashed potatoes (bland and inoffensive) except for those moments where he is suddenly either charismatic and charming, or kind of ruthless. It almost gave me whiplash trying to keep up with how often Will changed to suit the plot. But the last 20% was a trip with twists that I did not see coming, and that makes me very curious to see where this series goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Slavery
jo_183's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Slavery, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, War, and Toxic relationship
johnnytest's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First half of the book seems just fine when reading for the first time, but man on the reread the whole book was really enjoyable. The second half of the book was a “read-in-one-session” kinda deal for both my first and second read through, and the way the history/lost civilization stuff unravels is everything to me
Honestly I think I liked it better the second time around for spoiler reasons but once you can piece everything together it is just so satisfying
original rating = 4/5
reread rating = 5/5
I’m sure there are plenty of valid criticisms of this book but tbh the last 50ish pages are burned into my brain forever so I’m unwilling to accept them
Honestly I think I liked it better the second time around for spoiler reasons but once you can piece everything together it is just so satisfying
original rating = 4/5
reread rating = 5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Slavery and Gore
Minor: Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Sexual violence, and Torture
samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think what people were is less important than what they are. And what people are is less important than what they could be.
Even under the guise of an overcomplicated fantasy world and endless description of said world and each of its ultimately useless facets, CS Pacat is still a master of tension and romance. And that is the reason I come back to her books again and again.
A good chunk of the book (read: ~80%) is a lot of explaining and confusing details, and I really was not enjoying my time with it. The whole old world/new world and the Stewards as a community were a lot to take in, and honestly it didn't even matter much by the end; I just didn't really care about them or their purpose. And do I really need to? (Honestly, the smaller-scale political battles of CaPri felt more intense and important than the big world struggles of this one.) Violet is badass, and I already love Will. James has such potential, and unfortunately he was barely in this first installment. But once we get to the real twists, the real meat of the story, in the last 20% or so, this book becomes a CS Pacat book. Just as in Captive Prince, this first book is mainly a set up for the epicness that will (hopefully) be the rest of the trilogy. I cannot wait for the sequel to be released!
Reread October 2023
Second reading: unquestionably better than the first! Knowing all the world-building to come, I was able to fully immerse myself in the story and world, and it was glorious. The characters were captivating, the story relentless, and the intrigue top-notch. I was absolutely enthralled.
Even under the guise of an overcomplicated fantasy world and endless description of said world and each of its ultimately useless facets, CS Pacat is still a master of tension and romance. And that is the reason I come back to her books again and again.
A good chunk of the book (read: ~80%) is a lot of explaining and confusing details, and I really was not enjoying my time with it. The whole old world/new world and the Stewards as a community were a lot to take in, and honestly it didn't even matter much by the end; I just didn't really care about them or their purpose. And do I really need to? (Honestly, the smaller-scale political battles of CaPri felt more intense and important than the big world struggles of this one.) Violet is badass, and I already love Will. James has such potential, and unfortunately he was barely in this first installment. But once we get to the real twists, the real meat of the story, in the last 20% or so, this book becomes a CS Pacat book. Just as in Captive Prince, this first book is mainly a set up for the epicness that will (hopefully) be the rest of the trilogy. I cannot wait for the sequel to be released!
Reread October 2023
Second reading: unquestionably better than the first! Knowing all the world-building to come, I was able to fully immerse myself in the story and world, and it was glorious. The characters were captivating, the story relentless, and the intrigue top-notch. I was absolutely enthralled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Torture, Death of parent, Violence, Blood, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Genocide, Grief, Slavery, and War
Minor: Vomit
emma985's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Slavery and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual assault
sarahmiller98's review
adventurous
dark
tense
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Torture and Slavery
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