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tays_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Confinement, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Torture
Minor: Abandonment, Vomit, and War
lainiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
God, I love fantasy politics. I read this book in two sittings, and when I slept, I dreamt of fantasy politics. It's the BEST. I also love Jude and Cardan (yes, he has grown on me, I now get why everyone loves him), but I will be needing to talk about that ending later! Because WOWZA, I can't stop thinking about it!
I think Jude is one of my favorite fantasy protagonists. She just perfectly combines being normal and relatable with being absolutely unhinged and bonkers. I really love seeing how she analyzes the situations she is in, and the tactical way that she thinks; if I was in such a cut throat world, I like to think that I would act similarly, so in a way she's relatable ? I guess? But she also doesn't win every "battle" she's in (she actually loses waaaaay more often), which somehow makes me love her more. I think it's because of the way that she holds grudges and doesn't let people off the hook easily after they cross her. She's just very strong despite all the awful things happening to her; even when she faces weakness and loses her strength, she doesn't give up and I love her for it.
I also love Cardan now. He somehow seems like the most trustworthy character ?? Despite doing sneaky things and tricking people a lot, he has the most clear set of morals and motives out of everyone. Like, sure he may do something completely unexpected, but he did it for a good reason. I think.
Okay, now spoiler time.
THAT ENDING. WHAT THE HECK?? I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what happened, and I am like 99% sure that Cardan just did it to keep her safe because the water people wanted to kill her, but it was just so unexpected! Did he plan to do that? Or did he decide when he heard she killed his brother (I don't remember his name oops)? And the way he just let her embarrass herself with the queen thing! Ow! I know he was just doing it so she would have no choice but to leave, and no one would listen to her argue to stay, but it still hurt. Also, how much of the next book will Jude and Cardan be in the same room? Because they barely interact enough as is, and I don't think her being exiled will help that! I need more JudeCardan scenes! Please!
Okay, spoilers are over! I think this book would've been an easy 5 stars if there had been more communication between Jude and Cardan. Them being secretive is like their whole thing, so I get it, but I would've really loved to see them express their feelings more clearly than just implying them at times. But I definitely liked this one more than the first, and could not put it down. I hope the 3rd one doesn't kill me.
I think Jude is one of my favorite fantasy protagonists. She just perfectly combines being normal and relatable with being absolutely unhinged and bonkers. I really love seeing how she analyzes the situations she is in, and the tactical way that she thinks; if I was in such a cut throat world, I like to think that I would act similarly, so in a way she's relatable ? I guess? But she also doesn't win every "battle" she's in (she actually loses waaaaay more often), which somehow makes me love her more. I think it's because of the way that she holds grudges and doesn't let people off the hook easily after they cross her. She's just very strong despite all the awful things happening to her; even when she faces weakness and loses her strength, she doesn't give up and I love her for it.
I also love Cardan now. He somehow seems like the most trustworthy character ?? Despite doing sneaky things and tricking people a lot, he has the most clear set of morals and motives out of everyone. Like, sure he may do something completely unexpected, but he did it for a good reason. I think.
Okay, now spoiler time.
Okay, spoilers are over! I think this book would've been an easy 5 stars if there had been more communication between Jude and Cardan. Them being secretive is like their whole thing, so I get it, but I would've really loved to see them express their feelings more clearly than just implying them at times. But I definitely liked this one more than the first, and could not put it down. I hope the 3rd one doesn't kill me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment, War, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
thecityofstarlight's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is so out of character for me (giving out 5 stars) and I really did not expect myself to like this book as much as I did. I really liked Cruel Prince, but this installment in the series really invoked something inside me. like that sounds really dramatic, but this book really just gaslit me and ripped my heart out in so many ways… IN A GOOD WAY!!
The story itself was beautifully written and so carefully crafted. And the character development!! Ughhhh just read it and see for yourself 😭😭
The story itself was beautifully written and so carefully crafted. And the character development!! Ughhhh just read it and see for yourself 😭😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Vomit, Bullying, and Animal death
eligru's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Animal death, Violence, and Medical content
katreadswaytoomuch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Self harm, Murder, Kidnapping, Gore, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, and Blood
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
belleden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Gore, Sexual content, and Vomit
sierra0107's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Haven’t read Queen of Nothing yet, but I think I can already say this is my favourite in the series. The first half was a little slow after all that happened at the ending of Cruel Prince, but it quickly ramped up. I enjoyed every second!
If you’re into the romance of the book, I would find another. The romance isn’t centre stage. What I adore about this series is the politics and character growth. I really liked how much we got to know Cardan, but him and Jude still kept up with their antics. Jude’s growth was amazing and I can’t wait for her to kick butt in the last book.
If you’re looking for spice, find it somewhere else. I was told this book was spicy, it is not even close, sadly. If you like enemy to lovers and knives to throats, then this is for you! Again, have to remember it is YA, so it never goes as far as I would like but still pretty gruesome for a YA novel.
Lastly, even though there are parts that could have been better, I give it 4.5 stars because I think this book has the best character growth I have ever read. As well, politics!! I love the deception and scheming that goes along with the politics of the Courts.
If you’re into the romance of the book, I would find another. The romance isn’t centre stage. What I adore about this series is the politics and character growth. I really liked how much we got to know Cardan, but him and Jude still kept up with their antics. Jude’s growth was amazing and I can’t wait for her to kick butt in the last book.
If you’re looking for spice, find it somewhere else. I was told this book was spicy, it is not even close, sadly. If you like enemy to lovers and knives to throats, then this is for you! Again, have to remember it is YA, so it never goes as far as I would like but still pretty gruesome for a YA novel.
Lastly, even though there are parts that could have been better, I give it 4.5 stars because I think this book has the best character growth I have ever read. As well, politics!! I love the deception and scheming that goes along with the politics of the Courts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Slavery, and Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Torture
The adult/minor relationship isn’t too weird, but the Fey are immortal and have relationships with humans who are much much younger.misanthropicrose's review against another edition
dark
5.0
Beyond words, this series has had too much of an affect on my life for something I was told would mean so little.
Also, Jude and Cardan carry this series on their poor aching backs, while every othe character is plucked from the pits of hell :)
I had seen spoilers for what happen at the end of this book, but that did not prepare me, in any form, for when it did come :)
I had seen spoilers for what happen at the end of this book, but that did not prepare me, in any form, for when it did come :)
"I am robbed of speech."
Same, Jude, same. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Physical abuse
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