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stories's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rich worldbuilding, complete with cultural customs, traditions, origin story and deities. In a world where magic exists and reincarnation is widely recognised, why couldn’t some unfortunate children be born cursed?
Narra just wants to save her mother. But to even attempt it requires lies that risk her memory at best, and her life at worst as she enters a competition that is some cross between The Hunger Games and The Selection. And it would seem she’s not the only one keeping secrets: as she must rapidly determine who in the palace can be trusted, there may be far more than just the lives of her loved ones at stake.
Magic, anti-revolution, reincarnation, trust, truth, kindness vs power.
I may have better grasped the Filipino context if I’d been reading, not listening (but at least I got the ceiling painted?). Intriguing and engaging fantasy novel, solidly stand-alone.
Narra just wants to save her mother. But to even attempt it requires lies that risk her memory at best, and her life at worst as she enters a competition that is some cross between The Hunger Games and The Selection. And it would seem she’s not the only one keeping secrets: as she must rapidly determine who in the palace can be trusted, there may be far more than just the lives of her loved ones at stake.
Magic, anti-revolution, reincarnation, trust, truth, kindness vs power.
I may have better grasped the Filipino context if I’d been reading, not listening (but at least I got the ceiling painted?). Intriguing and engaging fantasy novel, solidly stand-alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Torture, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
kayceeisbookish's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
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