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maryellen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Kidnapping, Suicide, Confinement, Death, Blood, Murder, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
reviewsandreadathons's review
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Blood, Death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, and Rape
Minor: Cancer and Vomit
morebedsidebooks's review
4.25
Graphic: Grief, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Classism, and Sexism
Also contains depictions of PTSD, blackmail, and drugging From the author: Contains instances of dubious consent and under-negotiated kinkbooksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The new storyline follows the Tierns as they travel to a new part of Tithena and find themselves plagued by accidents, assassination, attempts, and a military official who seems bent on finding something to pin on Cae. Cae and Vel had agreed to be friends, but neither them is sure of their feelings, nor whether their more romantic feelings are reciprocated. Cae, for his part, fell in love with Vel during the first book, but Vel needed more time to see whether he'd be interested in Cae as more than a friend and logistical partner.
This is a politically twisty book, with several important factions and many events happening in quick succession. As such, it introduces and resolves so many significant plot points that it would require a great number of spoilers to list them. Cae is increasing his command of Markel’s sign speech, which allows him to speak directly to Markel without requiring Vel as an intermediary. This removes some barriers for Markel, and lets Cae communicate with him even when Vel is indisposed. Markel has played a major part in both books, but here it feels easier, almost effortless, because the reader is assumed to know him already, and thus less needs to be explained.
One thing I’ll say about the ending is that it managed to neatly explain why such a complicated series of events had happened. The antagonist's motives and tactics were flawed not because they knew more than the reader does, but because they didn’t quite know as much. I don’t know if that’s precisely a twist on a mystery story, but I’m quite enjoying the dynamic across both books. I was initially concerned about how the seduction plotline was going to play out, as I dislike pointless miscommunications that seem to exist only to heighten tension and stress out the characters. Ultimately, I’m quite pleased with the timing and balance here. The whole thing was exactly what I wanted from it, I had a great time reading it, and I want the next book to be here already even though I know it’ll be a while. I'm also interested in a new character who narrates some sections in between Cae and Vel's portions, I’d be interested in reading future books that follow him, if they ever were on offer.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual harassment, Murder, Sexual assault, Death, Death of parent, Animal death, Alcohol, Vomit, Suicide, and Homophobia
Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
Author's Note: Contains instances of dubious consent and undernegotiated kink.aromarrie's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Body horror, and Suicide
Minor: Murder