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notsohopelessromantic'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
The kindling romance between Darlington and Alex is just that. Kindling. If you wanted romance, boy howdy let me tell you it's a slow burn. A very confused, hesitant flame, with a very eager wick, on a willing candle. That might not make sense to you but it does to me.
Anyway, the book was very good. Much like the first where it just seems to be one thing after another, after another. Nonstop misfortune, bad luck, catastrophe. It really makes you wanna tear your hair out. But, to be fair, they did manage to get Darlington back from the Underworld, something I truly did not believe would happen until the 3rd book with the way things were looking. I am grateful to at least have that issue resolved, if only temporarily.
There is most definitely something off about the current Praetor. He knows more than he's letting on, I'm just not sure why. I probably won't know until it's literally spelled out to us in the next book.
I loved the character development on all fronts. Learning that Turner wasn't as straight-laced as we all thought, that Tripp isn't all that harmless or innocent, that Mercy is stronger than she seems. And speaking of Tripp, I do love what was done with his character at the end of the book. That will be interesting to see play out in the next one. Dawes has grown even more as well, becoming less timid, more sure of herself, confident in her abilities; very much the witch Alex saw her to be. I know that there is even more to unpack with Alex and why she's been described as sitting on a throne with a crown on her head, Darlington her faithful servant (and lover 👀). I can't wait for it all to unfold.
The book truly twisted and turned at all of the unexpected, and expected, moments, making this one helluva ride (read). I cannot wait to receive news on the final book in the trilogy and can only hope that I won't have to suffer for very long. Though if Darlington can survive over a year in hell, then I can certainly wait that long to be saved too.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Gore, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Drug use, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Torture, Cancer, Cursing, and Grief
caoimhemia'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: Murder, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
lancemama'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
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Drug abuse, Death, Gore, Murder, Colonisation, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
joensign's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Gun violence, Animal death, Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Rape, Sexual violence, and Racism
Minor: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Confinement
raintje'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
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Blood, Murder, Death, Grief, Gun violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Police brutality
katemarie99's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual content, Addiction, Racism, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Blood, Gun violence, Body horror, Hate crime, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt
ajs501'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
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, Violence, Rape, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Gore, and Death
Minor: Self harm
brookeharbula'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Gore
adrienreads'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
This book is dark, but if the first book was too explicit/intense for you, this one definitely felt "lighter", more-or-less. Still dark and horrific, but there was far less (on-screen at least) sexual violence, and overall I had a much easier time with this one. Again, still not "light reading" by any means, but worth noting.
If you've loved Bardugo's other books, this one scratches that same itch, and more.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Addiction, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Drug abuse, Gore, Grief, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
Minor: Slavery, Misogyny, and Racism
stephliljazz'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
5.0
"People shouldn't have to march through the world fighting all the time."
"I will serve you till the end of days."
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Drug use, Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Torture, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Abandonment, Slavery, Stalking, Grief, Vomit, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Death, Animal death, Alcohol, Violence, Torture, Classism, and Police brutality
Minor: Classism