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littleskylights'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
I ended up putting the book down for a bit and coming back to it, and it seems that of course I put it down right before the book turned a corner. This time, I was drawn in deeply and devoured the book! So if anyone is hesitating or thinking about stopping early for the same reasons, I can tell you it's absolutely worth it!
What a ride! I Wasn't overly fond of Sylah or Anoor from the get-go - Sylah too abrasive, Anoor too naive... but they grew as characters and I got really attached! Hassa I liked from the beginning, so I hope we get to see even more of her in the future.
I didn't expect that twist about the Sandstorm! Very interesting...
This book surprised me and delighted me, and I'm looking forward to more. I have heard that the final book was a disappointment to some people, but I'm going to keep an open mind.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, and Violence
talonsontypewriters'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Fatphobia, Rape, Vomit, and Pandemic/Epidemic
chainingbooks'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
I felt that this was a wonderfully diverse fantasy that doesn't hold back any punches. I was truly impressed at how the author was able to balance three strong female leads, especially when they didn't go the route as setting up chapters as different POVs. While it felt like a majority of the story is told from Sylah's perspective, the characters she interacts with all feel so strong in their own rights.
I thoroughly enjoyed following Sylah as she works to find herself again. She was raised with a large legacy on her shoulders and does end up losing her way. When she gets the renewed energy to take on the empire, I was rooting for her even if I didn't agree with her choices. Her journey shows us that you can find allies in unexpected places, what we know of the world may not be the full truth, and what motivates us may change but if a cause is great enough it is worth fighting for.
Anoor was a character I didn't know that I would come to love. Once I did though, she became the character I wanted to protect more than any of the others (even though she totally doesn't need it!). The arc she follows felt like a true underdog's tale and I couldn't get enough of it. I especially appreciated how her character was able to be open-minded and learn from meeting people from different walks of life than her own.
Last, but DEFINITELY not least, there's Hassa. Hassa is a character I would absolutely trust with my life. In the beginning I thought they were just the reliable friend but as Hassa's role was revealed I was excited each time they came up in the story. It got to the point where I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next big lore reveal from them. There's not much I feel like I can say about their character without spoilers, but I will just say that they are a total badass who is smarter than I will ever hope to be.
While I'm bad at continuing a trilogy, the lore reveals right at the end of this have me wanting to dive right back in. I'll gladly talk with anyone that wants to scream and shout about the last 50 or so pages LOL.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, and Racism
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Fatphobia and Kidnapping
aurora4847'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: Ableism, Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, Fatphobia, Gore, Racial slurs, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual harassment, and War
This book is intense. There is a strong caste system with all the racism and classism that goes along with it. There are 2 public executions described with varying amounts of detail. Multiple characters experience the death of family members (including parents). The magic system is based on blood, so self harm for rituals is common. One caste suffers mutilation as children (process not described, only results). There is police brutality similar to that in the United States. There are flashbacks to child abuse, and multiple characters are involuntarily confined in varying spaces (including solitary confinement). The main character struggles with addiction through the whole story, and there are depictions of drug use, interventions, and withdrawal symptoms.mlkai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, and Colonisation
dragongirl271'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 and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, and Grief
Minor: Child death and Vomit
abernoodle'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: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Dysphoria
fanboyriot'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
4.0
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
crybabybea's review against another edition
It was fine, but the world-building was lackluster despite some really cool ideas. Main characters have really unique struggles that made them interesting. I can't get past the heavy exposition dumping, messy writing, and whiplash tone changes. If I were more interested in the plot I would keep going, but I have no interest in reading a training/trials story. Feels uninspired and overdone. Also there's a borderline incest romance happening and I just can't handle that lol
Might pick it up later but I feel myself actively avoiding reading it so I'm giving up for now.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Torture, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
avocadosocks'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
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Fatphobia, and Excrement