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savvyrosereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was my lowest ranked SJM book on my first read, and while it is staying in place (purely because everything else is SO MUCH BETTER), I definitely appreciated it more the second time around. ToG Dorian and Chaol are frankly underrated, imo, and Nehemia grew on me here too. I’ve never been a huge rereader, but I’m starting to think that for SJM it is almost crucial—there are just so many small details that you only pick up with a second look.
Lastly, just screaming this from the rooftops one more time…READ THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE FIRST. I intentionally tallied and every SINGLE major reveal from that is spoiled if you start with this book instead. It truly boggles my mind that anyone could advocate a different reading order for first time readers (and yes, I am directing this towards SJM herself as well).
Original review (March 2023):
Rating: 4/5 stars.
Really good but honestly not great? If you compare it to the later books this is much slower and harder to get into. But it’s still very fun, and VERY worth it for what will come.
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Gore
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Torture
thefickleinkdrinker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Murder, Torture, and Vomit
picaresquedreamer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail
saramoser's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Vomit, Violence, Gore, Blood, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Death of parent
_rubytallulah_'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Death of parent, Confinement, and Drug use
mymoonlightlibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Murder
rachelshubin's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
That said, I did really enjoy this book despite finding it slow at times. I was compelled to keep going because of my curiosity, the love triangle between her and Dorian and Chaol (she gets cleaned up and one shower and they’re BOTH into her? I could never) and who will triumph, as well as just knowing how much my friends love this series - all kept me reading.
I just found the pacing a bit slower than I expected compared to the first books in the other series. But nevertheless I’m excited to keep going!
Graphic: Slavery, Vomit, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism, War, and Death of parent
ali1311's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Gore, and Sexism
Moderate: Blood, Genocide, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Violence, Murder, and Rape
indyyxoxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Murder, Grief, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Gore, and Colonisation
Moderate: Torture, Vomit, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
allydoessomereading's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Body horror, Death, and Blood