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mallorygoldsmith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Torture and Slavery
Minor: Vomit and War
aas'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Slavery, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Grief, Vomit, and Death
angelreads_13'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
5.0
I'm afraid it would take forever for me to compose a review that would be half as good enough as I would like, and even then, it wouldn't do this book or this series justice. Till then, let me just sa...WOW.
If you're still on the fence about reading this series, I'd tell you stop being a flaming idiot and pick up the first book YESTERDAY!!!
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Death
Minor: Grief, Slavery, Drug use, and Violence
fictionalfae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It was Cain who killed the champions to get stronger and to have less opponents. I thought he couldn't be it, because it would have been too easy.
But now, everything makes sense. I really like this plot now and I couldn't stop reading at the last 150 pages.
But I loved her relationship with Dorian and I hate her for breaking up with him.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Slavery and Death
savirisu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Slavery
lqne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Infidelity, Death of parent, Drug use, Eating disorder, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
magraymusic'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
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Vomit, Genocide, Misogyny, Animal death, Body horror, Classism, and Kidnapping
A great book. Can’t wait to start the next one!markedwithanm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death, Murder, Classism, Vomit, Violence, War, and Slavery
sharlapeggy'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
Graphic: Torture, Death of parent, Slavery, Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Trafficking
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, Murder, Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Gore
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Torture