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savvyrosereads'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? No
4.0
This was my lowest ranked SJM book on my first read, and while it is staying in place (purely because everything else is SO MUCH BETTER), I definitely appreciated it more the second time around. ToG Dorian and Chaol are frankly underrated, imo, and Nehemia grew on me here too. I’ve never been a huge rereader, but I’m starting to think that for SJM it is almost crucial—there are just so many small details that you only pick up with a second look.
Lastly, just screaming this from the rooftops one more time…READ THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE FIRST. I intentionally tallied and every SINGLE major reveal from that is spoiled if you start with this book instead. It truly boggles my mind that anyone could advocate a different reading order for first time readers (and yes, I am directing this towards SJM herself as well).
Original review (March 2023):
Rating: 4/5 stars.
Really good but honestly not great? If you compare it to the later books this is much slower and harder to get into. But it’s still very fun, and VERY worth it for what will come.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual violence, Torture, and Death of parent
nicklybear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Genocide, Slavery, Vomit, and Death of parent
There are a lot of problems with the books. The characters are paper thin, the "mystery" is as easy to solve as a mystery in a child's book. Celaena frankly, isn't that good of an assassin if people can keep sneaking into her room at night, etc. Those are just the more egregious problems that kept nagging at me. But, despite the problems, I enjoyed this book. It's nothing great, in fact, I would say at best, it's mediocre. It's enjoyable, though. I had fun reading it, and at the end of the day, that's good enough. 2.5/5 = Mediocrescarlett_roe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
earthie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Unique in some ways, but felt very much like the Tamora Pierce Tortall universe, both in writing and character development (and even plot, now thinking about it more). Fun in a way that isn't complicated.
I'd recommend this book for YA audiences, or adults who don't mind the mushy feelings of youth.
I love that the book has an overly talented female main character *and* that she is extremely unique in her talents and backstory.
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Genocide, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Alcohol
picaresquedreamer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
_rubytallulah_'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Confinement, Drug use, and Death of parent
bigmak207's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death and Slavery
yoonkins'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
4.25
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Torture
rachelshubin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
That said, I did really enjoy this book despite finding it slow at times. I was compelled to keep going because of my curiosity, the love triangle between her and Dorian and Chaol (she gets cleaned up and one shower and they’re BOTH into her? I could never) and who will triumph, as well as just knowing how much my friends love this series - all kept me reading.
I just found the pacing a bit slower than I expected compared to the first books in the other series. But nevertheless I’m excited to keep going!
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cannibalism, Death of parent, and War
emis_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Torture