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raptorq's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Misogyny, Death, Confinement, and Animal death
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape
jacksons_books_and_music'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: Body horror, Grief, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Cursing, Death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Misogyny, Gun violence, and Vomit
Minor: Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Drug use, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
katemarie99's review
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual content, Addiction, Racism, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Blood, Gun violence, Body horror, Hate crime, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt
alexijai98's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
caroline_wavesandpeanuts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Sexual violence, Suicide, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
sjbshannon's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, and Animal death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Trafficking
smuttymcbookface's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A gripe I had with the first book was the constant flicking between timelines to add mystery and intrigue from the start. Although there was some mild timeline hopping here, it felt much more natural whilst achieving the same effect.
I was truly invested in the characters, and I could feel the strain on Alex and Dawes as they were constantly pushed to the limit. The setting of Yale, with the constant references to certain architectural features of the buildings, was woven in to deepen mysteries without boring. The research done for this, as well as the lore, must have been extensive and Leigh Bardugo has done an unbelievable job of weaving it all into the story without info-dumping.
I enjoyed that there was no cliff-hanger ending, just unresolved threads of plot. Although the pacing is slow to start and ridiculously fast to end (so much was packed into the last quarter), I didn't find myself bored or racing through any of it. I enjoyed that there were still small conversations of friendship woven into all of the drama, and that Alex was constantly appreciating the normality of her non-magical life.
My only real complaint was that some of the journeys felt a little bait-and-switch in their conclusion.
Graphic: Misogyny, Blood, Violence, and Animal death
Moderate: Sexual violence, Police brutality, Racism, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Vomit
romiress'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
4.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Racism, and Adult/minor relationship
camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I could not consume this story fast enough! Everything that happened had my mouth hanging open and going through the whole spectrum of emotions.
Leigh Bardugo is a genius.
How much longer until book three though???
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Grief, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Drug use, and Police brutality
imaginaryalchemist's review
- 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
4.5
One of my favorite aspects is the characters. They all play off each very well in my opinion. It's always entertaining to see Alex banter with everyone, I love how much of a smart ass she is. My favorite character would probably have to be Mercy, I'm glad she got more screen time and development in this novel.
I also enjoyed the murder mystery aspect, just like I did in Ninth House, and how it blended in with the overall story. I do wish the societies had played more of a role, they're very interesting and I'd like to know more about them.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the third installment in the Alex Stern series, and I plan on checking out Leigh Bardugo's YA series. I enjoy her writing style
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Grief, Sexism, Violence, Addiction, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
There are frequent mentions of rituals that often involve body horror. Murder is a major plot point. The main character's past, (which involves drugs, an abusive relationship, death, s*xual assault, forced institutionalization, and murder) is frequently brought up.