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supernovatovah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Torture, Bullying, Classism, Violence, Blood, Murder, Xenophobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: War and Cannibalism
Minor: Religious bigotry, Rape, Police brutality, Colonisation, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
le_lobey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
This was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I chose to read it during a challenge where I logged pages every day — I'm amazed I got through it in only two weeks! A trope-tastic fantasy masquerading as space opera. I really enjoyed the world(s), all of the vivid settings, and the tastes of political intrigue.
I think Ruocchio found a good balance of action and reflection. Surprisingly, I didn't mind the first-person narration which usually turns me off. That device gives us a decent look into Hadrian's mind both as a young man and as an author much later in his life. I appreciated that the story knew when to give play by play narration and when to skip over months or even years, though there were a few times where this felt like it could have been handled more deftly.
It was a bit over-written at times, and I didn't love the romance plot. Hadrian's inability to communicate with Valka was understandable, but inconsistent with the rest of his characterization. I'm excited to see where the series goes from here.
*Borrowed from BPL*
I think Ruocchio found a good balance of action and reflection. Surprisingly, I didn't mind the first-person narration which usually turns me off. That device gives us a decent look into Hadrian's mind both as a young man and as an author much later in his life. I appreciated that the story knew when to give play by play narration and when to skip over months or even years, though there were a few times where this felt like it could have been handled more deftly.
It was a bit over-written at times, and I didn't love the romance plot. Hadrian's inability to communicate with Valka was understandable, but inconsistent with the rest of his characterization. I'm excited to see where the series goes from here.
*Borrowed from BPL*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Animal cruelty, and Torture
Moderate: Colonisation, Alcohol, Blood, and Classism
atalea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
I liked the book, but I really struggled through it. Although I was in a reading slump when I read it which may have affected my reading experience, I do believe that was not the only reason this book felt a bit flat to me. The very slow-pace of the book, combined with me not really connecting with any of the characters and not much happening in this book really impacted my enjoyment of the book. I also had great expectations about this series, so maybe I set the bar too high going in.
I am still interested in seeing where the story is going, because I've heard great things about it sequels (which I own) so I will continue the series but I am not in a rush to do so.
I think this is a series you need to be in the right headspace in, same as with a Robin Hobb book. My advice: take your time with it and don't expect this (at least the first book) to be an action-heavy book. It's main focus lies on political maneuvering and retrospection which causes the pace of the story to drop significantly. Still, overall I enjoyed it.
I am still interested in seeing where the story is going, because I've heard great things about it sequels (which I own) so I will continue the series but I am not in a rush to do so.
I think this is a series you need to be in the right headspace in, same as with a Robin Hobb book. My advice: take your time with it and don't expect this (at least the first book) to be an action-heavy book. It's main focus lies on political maneuvering and retrospection which causes the pace of the story to drop significantly. Still, overall I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, Colonisation, War, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Slavery, Murder, Death, Torture, Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, and Confinement
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Cannibalism
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