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spatterson7's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Violence, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Sexism, Slavery, and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Rape, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Misogyny, Drug use, War, and Torture
litliz'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
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Violence, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Bullying, Death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Torture, and Vomit
annikenr'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
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Slavery, Body horror, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Rape
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
madi_miss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Graphic: Violence and Torture
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
thefickleinkdrinker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Murder, Torture, and Vomit
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: Blood, Slavery, Murder, Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Confinement, Torture, Misogyny, Genocide, Classism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Islamophobia
Minor: Genocide, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Confinement, Police brutality, and Xenophobia
picaresquedreamer's review
- 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: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail