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whiteblue's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Racial slurs and Cultural appropriation
thoughtsontomes's review
- 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: Racism, Self harm, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Colonisation
astropova's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Body horror, Colonisation, and War
bookwyrmknits's review
- 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
5.0
This is a highly enjoyable novel, and while you don't need to read any of the shorter pieces that come before it before picking up this book, I personally liked the little nods to those stories that I found since I *had* already read them. That extra knowledge, though, is a bonus and not at all necessary if you don't want to start with the short stories.
As with the prior installments in this universe, the focus is on setting and plot, and not characters. While we do get some minor character development in this novel, it seems that it's usually plot-driven development and not the other way around. This isn't a problem, especially if you're aware of it going in, but it might help manage expectations about what this novel is going to deliver.
Moderate: Murder and Fire/Fire injury
aardwyrm's review
- 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
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
schnaucl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The idea that America would be very anti-magic seems fitting.
I think the politics will be fascinating since not only is there the introduction of magic about 40 years ago, but it looks like World War I never happened. Egypt is a great power. Britain's power is waning for but for somewhat different reasons than happened in reality.
It's always interesting to explore the mythologies, magic traditions, and religions of other places and cultures. Lots of interesting stuff about colonial power, race, gender and religion to chew on.
I really liked the Jasmine Club.
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Cultural appropriation
uranaishi's review
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Outing, Alcohol, and War
mmefish's review
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
szuum'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
3.25
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Racism and Slavery
hanz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Fatma and Hadia are also not very good investigators, which makes progress on the mystery aspect very slow, even when the criminal was obvious less than half way through. Overall, not for me, but I'm clearly in the minority. Back to reading the short stories again!
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury