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angiegeorge_reeds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Gore
relin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Self harm, Violence, Animal death, Outing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Minor: Racism and Child death
lqvekanej's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Blood and Violence
mandkips's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content and Self harm
Minor: Murder, Emotional abuse, and Racism
thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Violet saved a boys life when they were children, she didn't know he was a Prince. As adults they are begrudgingly close and in each others lives, Cyrus as the Prince soon to become King, and Violet, the city's seer.
When the King tells Violet to falsely prophesize the upcoming wedding of Cyrus, she is plagued by the fates dark tellings of the future.
With the fates future unravelling before them, Violet uses her wits to protect herself but ends up having to make a deadly choice.
Although this was a really great storyline, with great characters, the ending felt quite rushed (this is book one of a duology), and was very anticlimactic.
I wanted to love the characters but they lack depth and substance, like they just existed and you already knew them. (Is Camilla just a high maintenance Princess that just likes to eat cake and enjoys balls? Would she want to be Queen? Why does the King want to expand the kingdom? Greed? What do the fairies feel about the woods being burnt?) So much potential and hope that book two brings it.
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death, Blood, and Murder
lacrimaeignis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Murder
natashaleighton_'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
I loved the cynical, prickly and unapologetically cunning Violet who is willing to do whatever it takes to survive—even if it leaves her at loggerheads with the Crown Prince, Cyrus. And although she’s definitely a flawed character I couldn’t help myself from rooting for her—and hoping that she and Cyrus would just give in to all the that delicious sexual tension, curse be damned.
It does have similar vibes to The Cruel Prince or Serpent & Dove with a sprinkling of Briar Rose/ Beauty and The Beast elements that I really enjoyed, but it is a completely original story so don’t expect too many similarities.
The pace was surprisingly fast despite how lush the world and character building was and I honestly think it could’ve been longer if only so I didn’t have to leave Gina Chen’s gorgeously crafted world.
Trust me, if you love your fairytales dark, and dangerously twisted then you’re going to absolutely love this.
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Racism, Body horror, Classism, and Sexism
Moderate: War and Violence
katvou'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
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Animal death and War
Minor: Gaslighting, Grief, Self harm, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The central romance might have been the best thing about this book. There is a lot of court intrigue, but sometimes I had difficulty following it. This might have been becuase I listened to the audiobook, though. The narrator was great, but sometimes I don't pay quite as close attention, so maybe I missed something plotwise.
While I don't think this necessarily needed to be a series, I do understand where the author wants to go with the story. I am kind of interested in seeing what happens next, so I might pick up the next book when it comes out. We'll see!
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Self harm, and Violence
Minor: Emotional abuse
iwillendyouinc's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Blood