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kennyo's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.5
thethingwithfeathers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Loved the concept/magic system. Love female friendships. Love girls with rage. Belcalis <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Misogyny, War, and Torture
Moderate: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Animal cruelty, and Confinement
marvelqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
theloveshot_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.5
cici1722's review against another edition
4.0
The cover drew me in! A black girl warrior ?! Hell yes sign me up. I’ve never been much of a fantasy lover but this did it for me. Possibly because it was YA so it wasn’t too fantastical. The plot was layered and the character development was interesting and exciting.
canopy_'s review against another edition
3.0
Spoilers lie ahead…
As one of the books nominated for the best of this year as well as one highly rated by a few friends I was relatively disappointed in this.
Plot holes abound in a book that starts off keeping all of its secrets closely guarded just to release 75% of them within the last 75 pages. What about the other 25%? They’re conveniently just left out.
The description of the lineages was so convoluted and under explained that I found myself seriously wondering about so much even after the book ended. However, it was clear that this wasn’t a plot device - a way to entice you into reading the next book - but simply that it was just left out.
The world was very interesting and there was a lot to like about this book at the end of the day. However I didn’t feel myself connecting the way I should have to Deka or Keita and I wasn’t routing for them so much as the others in the end.
I think this book could have benefitted from the last 75 pages being moved into a second book. It would have allowed a cliffhanger ending and more time to hash out the details that were so glaringly missing. I currently have no drive to read the second book, but if it had stopped there I certainly would want to.
As one of the books nominated for the best of this year as well as one highly rated by a few friends I was relatively disappointed in this.
Plot holes abound in a book that starts off keeping all of its secrets closely guarded just to release 75% of them within the last 75 pages. What about the other 25%? They’re conveniently just left out.
The description of the lineages was so convoluted and under explained that I found myself seriously wondering about so much even after the book ended. However, it was clear that this wasn’t a plot device - a way to entice you into reading the next book - but simply that it was just left out.
The world was very interesting and there was a lot to like about this book at the end of the day. However I didn’t feel myself connecting the way I should have to Deka or Keita and I wasn’t routing for them so much as the others in the end.
I think this book could have benefitted from the last 75 pages being moved into a second book. It would have allowed a cliffhanger ending and more time to hash out the details that were so glaringly missing. I currently have no drive to read the second book, but if it had stopped there I certainly would want to.
coffeeandcrafts's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Sexism
Minor: Religious bigotry and War
marije_else's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to love this one, but it was just okay. The book was chock full of standard YA fantasy elements. It almost felt like Forna was checking the YA fantasy boxes. Keep in mind that I've been pretty burned out on the genre for a while, so that definitely affects my review.