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antimony27'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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Blood, Cursing, and Sexual assault
annescorner's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Though I really enjoyed it while reading (as you can tell from my original review), looking back at it there were some issues. The pacing was weird, being kinda slow at the beginning and getting too fast in the end. The characters were kind of flat/predictable and there were just too many to actually remember. And lastly, the ending... I kinda expected it, kinda was dumfounded at its unveiling, and it was all done and over it SO fast, it did not leave any impact. The positive things I said before still stand, but these things in retrospect made me drop my rating to 2.75 stars and I won't be continuing with the series because the premise of the follow-up makes me scream internally at how predictable und unreasonable it ist (obvious and stereotypically second book tropes) that I just don't want to read it anymore.
original review:
If I'm honest, this book truly surprised me. The premise was very unique and sounded good, but I was afraid that it may read too young or get too tropey. However, that was not the case. It was a bit infuriating at first how Deka thought, but it was the way she was taught all her life, so it made sense. She ended up being a strong young woman who fights for what she believes to be right.
I especially loved the friendship/found family aspect of this story. It is great to see all these girls find comfort and friendship in each other - and also the relationship between them and their urunis.
The lore/myth surrounding this fantasy is unlike anything I have read so far, so it was very engaging and well made. Of course, there were some points were it felt a bit rushed and not fleshed out enough, especially towards the end and the big revelation, but for a debut novel (!) this is really great.
I also really enjoyed the mix of different heritages/background/ethnicities in the novel. As a reader I was able to discern some characteristics of our own world in the different regions of Otera, but at the same time there where many differences. Another thing I really enjoyed was the feminist aspect of the story. It is very subtle and only really shows itself towards the end, but it shows the strengths of women, especially the strength they have when they bond.
And lastly, what I also wanted to say is, that for a YA fantasy, there was refreshingly little romance in this first book. I'm not saying there is not any, there is, but it is so interwoven into the storyline, which makes it play more of a supporting/side role, than something that leads the story. Because what leads it are the women, the girls, and the alaki.
*Beware of trigger warnings such as blood, death, harassment and more*
I'm really looking forward to the second book, The Merciless Ones!
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, Torture, War, Death of parent, and Cursing
Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
n1ki_nobre's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexism and War
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Physical abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
jeanniea's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Drug use, and Racism
essabooks'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? No
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Death, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Cursing and Racism
travelthrupages'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: Death, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Torture, Violence, and War
ebelzinha'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
4.5
It’s a really empowering story, deka’s whole journey of understanding who she is and where she belongs. A true roller coaster. I did predict a couple of plot twists but there were some unthinkable ones.
I love deka, belcalis, britta, keita, adwapa and especially IXA!!!!
Graphic: Torture and Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Sexual assault
mybeevenme'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Cursing, Death, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, and Death of parent
readwithmoniqua'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, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Torture
ali_k0'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: Blood, Genocide, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Torture, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Vomit