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a_bow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, War, Slavery, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Misogyny, Racism, Body horror, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
cath_reads_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The world building leaves a lot to be desired. I found myself constantly confused when new terms or creatures were introduced. This continued throughout the book and new creatures were even introduced in the last 30 pages, in a way that makes it seem as if you should have understood what they were the entire time.
The concepts of oppression, misogyny, and colorism are heavy throughout the novel, which is what originally drew me to it. The characters and relationships in the novel, unfortunately, are not developed enough to do these concepts justice. Each character seemed extremely one-dimensional, as if they were only there as plot devices. There’s a forced almost-romance.
There’s also a LOT of plot holes. Why are women not allowed to touch sharp objects if their monthly menses can reveal impurity just as clearly as a cut? Why are girls impure from their first period if menstruation is supposed to start the process of the blood becoming impure, not finish it?
Overall, not impressed with this book. Kinda shocked it’s been made into a series when it absolutely didn’t have to be. Will not be reading the others.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Torture, and Death
Moderate: War, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Forced institutionalization
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Setting that aside, this was an entertaining twist on the chosen one trope in which the main character, Deka rose up against a crushingly patriarchal society. This book was dark and extremely violent; those elements and the pacing were strongly reminiscent of <i>The Poppy War </i> for me, and I would hesitate to recommend this to anyone who isn't late into their teen years, if not older.
Deka's friendships were more compelling than her love interest, and the squad's dedication to protecting their own was admirable, especially since we saw this camaraderie grow throughout the story. The conclusion was also quite movie-esque in that it had a clean ending that could either unfold into a sequel or be left as-is. Personally, I don't think I'll be continuing on with this series, so I love how Forna offers readers that choice.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, Sexual assault, and Rape
rubybereading's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Sexism, Gore, Torture, Body horror, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Bullying, and War
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment
onthesamepage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Misogyny, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse and Death
Minor: Rape and Animal death
corngod31's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
mollyv's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Xenophobia, Child abuse, Trafficking, Violence, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
kodeboer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
annniina98's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, Religious bigotry, Child death, Gore, and Sexism
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Trafficking
Minor: Death of parent
jachnax's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Confinement, Deportation, Genocide, Violence, Misogyny, Torture, War, Blood, Murder, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gore, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Bullying, Sexual violence, and Body horror
Minor: Animal cruelty, Xenophobia, Self harm, and Rape