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dlxfuentes'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
Moderate: Addiction and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault
kaywhiteley'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Child abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault
littlestdread's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Sexual assault
sadie_hawkins'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
4.75
my problem with this book started at the first chapter. unnecessarily long, drages, terrible first introduction. i ended up skipping lines.
after the second chapter... it only got better and better. i find the dark elements, scary enough to keep you tense but not grotesque.
main character was interesting, i enjoyed being inside her mind and author succeded to gave her messages without making me feel like i was reading *inspiring pinterest quotes*.
the only weak writing was the deliverance of li shimin's backstory. but i forgive that.
slowburn was very tastefully done. characters relationships to each other felt very realistic even though this book is single pov.
my only other problem is.... the ending. in this point, problem can be me because i am not used to reading sci-fi. So the long war scene at the end... i think i ended up skipping a brunch.
the real ending was *fine* but i really don't like ambiguous endings. the ending was probably predictable but still, deliverance was good so it didn't felt forced.
i will %100 re-read, since i finished it in less than 24 hours since it was too captivating.
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
rubyskies's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content
astropova'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: Sexism, Violence, Misogyny, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Sexual assault
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Child abuse, and Grief
pnorrell'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
4.25
I cannot wait to read more from Xiran Jay Zhao, and I'm looking forward to the release of the upcoming sequel, Heavenly Tyrant!
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse
gaynidoking'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, War, Addiction, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, Death, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Sexual assault
Minor: Fatphobia, Racism, Confinement, and Body shaming
cnaccarato'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
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Colonisation, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Genocide, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Grief, Medical content, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Child abuse, Addiction, Ableism, Death, Murder, War, Classism, Confinement, Homophobia, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Rape, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Violence, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Slavery
valjeanval's review
- 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
This book is extremely cinematic in a way that if it was an anime or graphic novel where I could actually see the Chrysalises and watch the battle scenes, I'd probably be pretty into it. The ruthless female anti-hero is a trope that I'm glad is gaining more traction. In the romance aspects of the book,
So plot and character-wise, it's pretty good. The world-building is all right too. I think it's just the language including occasional modern phrases that feel so anachronistic to the setting that grated on me. The ending also was pretty abrupt and included so much new information that felt rushed to me. So I don't know. I think it's a good book that just wasn't really for me. It is a shame that it was disqualified in the Hugo debacle this year because as literature aimed at a young adult audience, I think it is making some very important moves and deserved that recognition.
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Ableism, Alcoholism, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Addiction, Grief, Misogyny, Torture, War, and Violence
Minor: Body shaming, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail