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spatterson7's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Violence, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Sexism, Slavery, and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Rape, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Misogyny, Drug use, War, and Torture
annikenr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Slavery, Body horror, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Rape
majagroen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
ali1311's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
This book slapped! There was so much going on, and the storytelling was so expertly crafted. I loved getting to learn about these characters, especially our main character, and learn more about the world they inhabit. I can't believe this is the first book in a series and that it only goes up from here--this was already so good! Anyways, you can all call me the fool for not reading this sooner, I won't mind because you'd be right. I'm not a big fantasy person usually, but this world is very easily understandable and although it takes place in a different world and there's magic, I never felt really lost in understanding the dynamics of the world (perhaps because it mirrors our own so well re: colonization (yikes)). I could say a lot more, but I still need to organize my thoughts honestly--soo much happened that there's a lot to consider. Excited for the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Gore, and Sexism
Moderate: Blood, Genocide, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Violence, Murder, and Rape
elia24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexism
Minor: Cannibalism, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, and Rape
missiieey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death
Minor: Rape, Vomit, and Death of parent
sarasandex's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual harassment
panfriedart's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
originally read in 2019 - original rating 3 stars
REREAD 2024
I really just did not like this book. It's extremely generic YA fantasy, which I can have fun with from time to time, but this just had an extremely boring plot. I've found my problem with it this reread of it. Our main character does absolutely NOTHING in this book. Every plot progression is done by happenstance or by other characters. Celaena herself does NOT play an active part in this story. That was such a quick way for me to lose complete interest in the narrative. Truly, how am I supposed to care about all of these things happening if our main character is just an unlucky bystander in it all? I as a reader do more to progress the plot than Celaena does, as I still have to actively turn the page if I want to plot to move forward. It just made for an extremely dull read.
That being said I also just don't like Celaena. She's absolutely stupid, and nothing in this book actually convinced me off the fact that she's supposed to be this world's most feared assassin. It's honestly a miracle she ended up surviving this book considering she's in a castle full of assassin, with a murderous monster, and just completely oblivious to anything going on around her. Several characters manage to sneak up on her without even attempting to, she falls asleep literally everywhere without an issue, and she just eats food out of a mystery package, not knowing who send it or what happened to it. Honestly, like I said a complete miracle that she survived. She also isn't very clevver and seems to just be against what other character's want her to do just for the sake of it, rather than actually thinking she's in the right and they are not. It was so incredibly annoying.
That being said I did like some of the side characters. They are bit one dimensional because most of the focus is on Celaena but they are still much more likeable, and I'm really hoping to see more from them in the rest of the series. The romances weren't terrible but incredibly poorly developed, so I hope that will also get better in future installements, because yes I am still continuing on with this series.
REREAD 2024
I really just did not like this book. It's extremely generic YA fantasy, which I can have fun with from time to time, but this just had an extremely boring plot. I've found my problem with it this reread of it. Our main character does absolutely NOTHING in this book. Every plot progression is done by happenstance or by other characters. Celaena herself does NOT play an active part in this story. That was such a quick way for me to lose complete interest in the narrative. Truly, how am I supposed to care about all of these things happening if our main character is just an unlucky bystander in it all? I as a reader do more to progress the plot than Celaena does, as I still have to actively turn the page if I want to plot to move forward. It just made for an extremely dull read.
That being said I also just don't like Celaena. She's absolutely stupid, and nothing in this book actually convinced me off the fact that she's supposed to be this world's most feared assassin. It's honestly a miracle she ended up surviving this book considering she's in a castle full of assassin, with a murderous monster, and just completely oblivious to anything going on around her. Several characters manage to sneak up on her without even attempting to, she falls asleep literally everywhere without an issue, and she just eats food out of a mystery package, not knowing who send it or what happened to it. Honestly, like I said a complete miracle that she survived. She also isn't very clevver and seems to just be against what other character's want her to do just for the sake of it, rather than actually thinking she's in the right and they are not. It was so incredibly annoying.
That being said I did like some of the side characters. They are bit one dimensional because most of the focus is on Celaena but they are still much more likeable, and I'm really hoping to see more from them in the rest of the series. The romances weren't terrible but incredibly poorly developed, so I hope that will also get better in future installements, because yes I am still continuing on with this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Misogyny
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape and Suicide
vishnork's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape