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kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Police brutality
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, War, and Torture
tiana_king's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Classism, and Racism
Moderate: Death and Misogyny
Minor: Drug use, War, and Rape
gracelynsreads's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and War
lastblossom's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
tl;dr
Great fantasy adventure told from two very different POVs by two equally compelling leads with an appealing supporting cast.
About
Han Alister is a reformed thief, doing his best to make an honest living for his mother and sister. The only remnants of his former life are a pair of silver cuffs that he's worn since birth - clearly magical, and unable to be removed. Princess Raisa's restraints are less literal, but equally omnipresent. The birthday that signifies her adulthood is fast approaching, and it seems like everyone else in her life has plans for what she'll be doing once it arrives. With war looming on the horizon, Han and Raisa soon find themselves caught on different paths in a dark plot centuries in the making.
What I Liked
Wow! Cinda Williams Chima has somehow managed to write two very good books cleverly disguised as one very good book. Multiple POVs usually exist to give us different perspectives of the same space, but these two POVs are entirely separate stories, intersecting only briefly in the middle. It's such a gutsy move to not even get the two leads into the same space by the end of the book, but it absolutely paid off! I was riveted by both narratives, and seeing the little breadcrumbs of how they're both facing the same problem from different perspectives was incredible. Characters are all distinct and complex, with some very sympathetic antagonists (and some who definitely aren't). Raisa's complicated relationships are especially interesting - a very honest reflection on teenage romance, and I appreciate that there's no clear The One when it comes to who she loves. I also appreciated Han's duality as he did his best to navigate a world where the deck is stacked against him. As this is first in a series, the ending was pretty open, but I appreciate that it left me excited for what happens next, rather than frustrated that it cut off at a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see where the heroes go from here.
What Wasn't For Me
I've never been a big fan of fantasy racism, and it's pretty embedded in this story. To be fair, there is a very well-written bit in the middle that frankly discusses historical revisionism, and I genuinely feel like the author is approaching this with thoughtfulness and intent. But overall, it's not a theme I personally enjoy reading.
Great fantasy adventure told from two very different POVs by two equally compelling leads with an appealing supporting cast.
About
Han Alister is a reformed thief, doing his best to make an honest living for his mother and sister. The only remnants of his former life are a pair of silver cuffs that he's worn since birth - clearly magical, and unable to be removed. Princess Raisa's restraints are less literal, but equally omnipresent. The birthday that signifies her adulthood is fast approaching, and it seems like everyone else in her life has plans for what she'll be doing once it arrives. With war looming on the horizon, Han and Raisa soon find themselves caught on different paths in a dark plot centuries in the making.
What I Liked
Wow! Cinda Williams Chima has somehow managed to write two very good books cleverly disguised as one very good book. Multiple POVs usually exist to give us different perspectives of the same space, but these two POVs are entirely separate stories, intersecting only briefly in the middle. It's such a gutsy move to not even get the two leads into the same space by the end of the book, but it absolutely paid off! I was riveted by both narratives, and seeing the little breadcrumbs of how they're both facing the same problem from different perspectives was incredible. Characters are all distinct and complex, with some very sympathetic antagonists (and some who definitely aren't). Raisa's complicated relationships are especially interesting - a very honest reflection on teenage romance, and I appreciate that there's no clear The One when it comes to who she loves. I also appreciated Han's duality as he did his best to navigate a world where the deck is stacked against him. As this is first in a series, the ending was pretty open, but I appreciate that it left me excited for what happens next, rather than frustrated that it cut off at a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see where the heroes go from here.
What Wasn't For Me
I've never been a big fan of fantasy racism, and it's pretty embedded in this story. To be fair, there is a very well-written bit in the middle that frankly discusses historical revisionism, and I genuinely feel like the author is approaching this with thoughtfulness and intent. But overall, it's not a theme I personally enjoy reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Murder, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Police brutality, and Racism
Minor: War
strawberrytheauthor's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was good and great as an audiobook. Sadly, I can’t find the second book in audio so I might have to pause in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Bullying, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Murder, Violence, Terminal illness, and War
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