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emmyb's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, it cured my reading slump with its fast pace and easily digestible prose. On the other, I didn't connect with the characters deeply enough, leaving the emotional depth the author was attempting to create feeling forced.
The story quickly sucked me in and was very engaging throughout the first 100 or so pages, but I started to get bored and speed read the second half of this book. If the trials aspect of this book appealed to you most, prepare to be disappointed. They were extremely anticlimactic, required no actual effort or skill from Kiva, and she only survived them because one person directly helped her all four times (I'd hardly call this a spoiler--it's the first book in a series, the main character was always going to make it out alive).
The four trials were incredibly lackluster:
trial 1: a really long, impossible jump at a tall height. The prince saves her by breaking her fall.
trial 2: survive for 10 minutes without burning alive inside a crematorium. The princess gives her a magical necklace that keeps her from burning.
trial 3: tied to the bottom of a water pit for 15 minutes. surprise! Jaren has magic and saves her.
trial 4: escape a tunnel maze. Jaren gets thrown in with her as punishment and uses his magic to literally just show them the path out.
A lot of this book felt very flimsy. Even though life in the prison is harsh for the prisoners, they have a LOT of freedom--they're allowed to roam around the grounds however they please, are never subjected to pat-downs or security searches of any kind. There were never many guards around, and when they were present, the inmates weren't handcuffed or bound in any way. It also felt way too convenient that this infamous traitor queen was so casually placed in the infirmary with only a few healers and one guard at a time on watch. With her importance and high number of enemies she's said to have, why didn't anyone try to break in and harm her? Kiva was also always conveniently saved or favored by powerful people without much reason.
With all this being said, the reveals at the ending shocked me, and the cliffhanger was good enough to make me interested in giving book 2 a try.
The story quickly sucked me in and was very engaging throughout the first 100 or so pages, but I started to get bored and speed read the second half of this book. If the trials aspect of this book appealed to you most, prepare to be disappointed. They were extremely anticlimactic, required no actual effort or skill from Kiva, and she only survived them because one person directly helped her all four times (I'd hardly call this a spoiler--it's the first book in a series, the main character was always going to make it out alive).
The four trials were incredibly lackluster:
trial 2: survive for 10 minutes without burning alive inside a crematorium. The princess gives her a magical necklace that keeps her from burning.
trial 3: tied to the bottom of a water pit for 15 minutes. surprise! Jaren has magic and saves her.
trial 4: escape a tunnel maze. Jaren gets thrown in with her as punishment and uses his magic to literally just show them the path out.
A lot of this book felt very flimsy. Even though life in the prison is harsh for the prisoners, they have a LOT of freedom--they're allowed to roam around the grounds however they please, are never subjected to pat-downs or security searches of any kind. There were never many guards around, and when they were present, the inmates weren't handcuffed or bound in any way. It also felt way too convenient that this infamous traitor queen was so casually placed in the infirmary with only a few healers and one guard at a time on watch. With her importance and high number of enemies she's said to have, why didn't anyone try to break in and harm her? Kiva was also always conveniently saved or favored by powerful people without much reason.
With all this being said, the reveals at the ending shocked me, and the cliffhanger was good enough to make me interested in giving book 2 a try.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Torture
Minor: Drug abuse, Addiction, Rape, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Death
hannahlois's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, and Child death
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was quite the roller coaster of a YA fantasy romance novel in a rather gory setting.
Loved the beginning and the introduction into the world, then I felt, the story got a little bit of a lull until it picked up pace towards the end again.
Loved the main character and her storyline through the book.
Some twists I did see coming, others not at all.
Star rating during reading was anything between 3 and 5, in the end I settle for a 3.
Loved the beginning and the introduction into the world, then I felt, the story got a little bit of a lull until it picked up pace towards the end again.
Loved the main character and her storyline through the book.
Some twists I did see coming, others not at all.
Star rating during reading was anything between 3 and 5, in the end I settle for a 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Murder, Racism, and Toxic relationship
anushar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The book was predictable and yet somehow I completely devoured it. It’s plot line is basic and there was maybe one plot twist (a minor one) in this entire book that I was mildly shocked by. That being said, this book was addicting and I read it in a weekend. I found the characters to be lovable, although the writing did drag a bit. I thought the initial plot was very reminiscent of throne of glass, which was probably why I was able to predict so much. However the ending left me wondering what road our main character would go down, because it almost insinuated an evil-ish character arc that has me very intrigued. Anyway I will definitely be reading the next book, even though this was more of a 3.75/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Self harm
maimy_ii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Grief, Cursing, and Confinement
Minor: Self harm, Death of parent, Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Drug use
risingsunreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I’ve been excited for this book ever since I heard about it and it did not disappoint. I love it, the mix of fantasy with slow burn and chaotic families. With secrets and lies hidden throughout the book. And the plot twist at the end!! I think I might have to preorder the second book.
The book follows the story of Kiva Merridan, how she ended up in the prison and the past 10 years of her life in there. The stuff she’s had to sustain and survive through. When Jaron, a prisoner who is sent there takes a liking to her and the rebel queen who is deathly sick arrives and has to take place in the trials by ordeal. Strong and determined Kiva takes her place.
I love the characters in this book from strong willed Kiva to a determined Jaren and tipp’s giddy character. Each having an important role in the plot and I love Naari’s character to being described as an ‘amber-eyed woman’, how she has authority and doesn’t hesitate to argue with the male guards.
I loved the plot of this book and how everything isn’t what it seems and how each trial isn’t as easy as it looks and how you think it’s going to turn out. I love the subplots of slow burn romance, magical elements and unexpected loyalty between a group of strangers. The plot moved fast following each of the trials by ordeals which made it an easy read.
If you like magical fantasy, loyalty between a group of strangers, royalty elements then this is for you! I can’t describe how much I loved reading this book and I’m really excited to see the story continue in the second book.
(if you’re after reading this I’d look up the trigger warnings as there’s quite a few in here that are either mildly or briefly mentioned.)
The book follows the story of Kiva Merridan, how she ended up in the prison and the past 10 years of her life in there. The stuff she’s had to sustain and survive through. When Jaron, a prisoner who is sent there takes a liking to her and the rebel queen who is deathly sick arrives and has to take place in the trials by ordeal. Strong and determined Kiva takes her place.
I love the characters in this book from strong willed Kiva to a determined Jaren and tipp’s giddy character. Each having an important role in the plot and I love Naari’s character to being described as an ‘amber-eyed woman’, how she has authority and doesn’t hesitate to argue with the male guards.
I loved the plot of this book and how everything isn’t what it seems and how each trial isn’t as easy as it looks and how you think it’s going to turn out. I love the subplots of slow burn romance, magical elements and unexpected loyalty between a group of strangers. The plot moved fast following each of the trials by ordeals which made it an easy read.
If you like magical fantasy, loyalty between a group of strangers, royalty elements then this is for you! I can’t describe how much I loved reading this book and I’m really excited to see the story continue in the second book.
(if you’re after reading this I’d look up the trigger warnings as there’s quite a few in here that are either mildly or briefly mentioned.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Addiction, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Violence
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