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snackattackisback69's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
I am obsessed with this series. Just like Gideon the Ninth, this book has a slow start but the payoff in the last third of the book is more than worth it. I wasn't too keen on the second person narration when I began the book but I got used to it after a few chapters. I was pretty confused for the first third of the book but I had fun picking apart the mystery. I feel the author does an amazing job of hiding hints or meaning in even the simpliest of interactions so I was gripped even before the big reveals began. I did find the vaguenes of the end of the novel a bit unsatisfactory but I am excited to see where it leads in Nona and Alecto.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Vomit, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Cannibalism
divine529's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
Don't let the amount of time it took me to get through this book fool you. I really enjoyed it. The thing about this book though, is it can be really difficult to read because of what the main character (Harrow) is going through for the vast majority of the book.
This book takes place after Gideon, but it's told in two timelines (second person and third person). Harrow has just become a Lyctor and is adjusting to and learning all about the inner workings of what that means all the while she's struggling to adjust to that. It's hard to say more than that due to spoilers, but let's just say, it's a wild ride and it's best read right after Gideon (trust me on this). It's a fantastic book and very well written and done in a very unusual style (two timelines isn't unusual, but out of order, fragmented, multiple voices like this is - if you've read it, you know what I mean). The character relationships are complex and messy and so good. One thing I will say is the vast majority of the time I forget we're in space and on a ship. It just doesn't feel like it and when I'm reminded of that fact it takes me a minute to re-calibrate my thoughts (I felt the same way about the first book). All in all a fantastic book, albeit a rough one to read at times (please heed the content warnings).
I can't wait to read "Nona" and continue with the series!
This book takes place after Gideon, but it's told in two timelines (second person and third person). Harrow has just become a Lyctor and is adjusting to and learning all about the inner workings of what that means all the while she's struggling to adjust to that. It's hard to say more than that due to spoilers, but let's just say, it's a wild ride and it's best read right after Gideon (trust me on this). It's a fantastic book and very well written and done in a very unusual style (two timelines isn't unusual, but out of order, fragmented, multiple voices like this is - if you've read it, you know what I mean). The character relationships are complex and messy and so good. One thing I will say is the vast majority of the time I forget we're in space and on a ship. It just doesn't feel like it and when I'm reminded of that fact it takes me a minute to re-calibrate my thoughts (I felt the same way about the first book). All in all a fantastic book, albeit a rough one to read at times (please heed the content warnings).
I can't wait to read "Nona" and continue with the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Bullying, Gore, Medical content, Blood, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Vomit, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Body horror, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Genocide and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Suicide
peppypenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was a bit nervous after the first book's ending, but the author knew exactly what she was doing. This book explores the universe more and gives the reader an understanding of the bigger picture. Action-packed but veeeery slow with the reveals so that when something does come to light it makes a big impact. Most are teased until the final quarter or so of the book, like a mystery novel where in the end you can see if any of your suspicions were right. The characters are fun and have a variety of shades of grey in terms of morality and relatability which keeps things unpredictable and interesting. I can't wait to continue reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Violence, Medical trauma, Body horror, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Vomit, Grief, Emotional abuse, Colonisation, and Classism
daniw2327's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Gore
vaguelyredhead's review against another edition
dark
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
Graphic: Death, Body horror, and Gore
Moderate: Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cannibalism, Child death, and Sexual content
valerian_honeybee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Suicide, Self harm, Murder, Gore, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Grief, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Violence
Moderate: Medical trauma, War, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Sexual content
murderousscottishgremlin's review against another edition
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
I’m so confused. Not sure if I even enjoyed it or if I’ll read Nona the Ninth. I do, however, love Harrowhark Nonagesimus, weird little gremlin girl (affectionate).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
astroem's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
I got through this in 5 hours, I did not know I had that within me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content
mimikrow's review against another edition
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
4.5
I really enjoyed this much more than the first book, the mystery was done much bettet and while some aspects were a little predictable overall I felt it was handled well though I’m not sure I would have the same fun rereading it.
I loved how previous characters were brought back, I always think it’s a shame to set up interesting people and have them rendered irrelevant by the plot and it worked well for the story.
The main complaint would be the ending which I honestly felt was ruined by Gideon coming back (which is sad because i honestly do love her). But the constant (pretty unfunny) sex jokes and random (again unfunny) comments during what are supposed to be serious and impactful moments just annoyed me. I wanted to really be immersed in what was going on but instead it had me rolling my eyes and waiting for it to end. Which just generally is a shame since I loved the rest of the book in particular the relationship between Harrow and John/God.
I’ll almost definitely read Nona since my two favourite characters are in it (I love you Pal and Cam <33).
‘ “But you’re God” And God said, “And I am not enough” ‘ :(
I loved how previous characters were brought back, I always think it’s a shame to set up interesting people and have them rendered irrelevant by the plot and it worked well for the story.
The main complaint would be the ending which I honestly felt was ruined by Gideon coming back (which is sad because i honestly do love her). But the constant (pretty unfunny) sex jokes and random (again unfunny) comments during what are supposed to be serious and impactful moments just annoyed me. I wanted to really be immersed in what was going on but instead it had me rolling my eyes and waiting for it to end. Which just generally is a shame since I loved the rest of the book in particular the relationship between Harrow and John/God.
I’ll almost definitely read Nona since my two favourite characters are in it (I love you Pal and Cam <33).
‘ “But you’re God” And God said, “And I am not enough” ‘ :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gore
Minor: Sexual content and Body horror
emmacharlotte96's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Violence