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gabydoesgrowth'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
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child death and Confinement
jobaji'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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Torture
maple_dove'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
4.75
For one thing, the double-life aspect. I'm a sucker for double lives. I absolutely adored the worldbuilding too.
I did have some qualms. For example, I didn't like that the reveal of the Hunter's identity was revealed so quickly in one chapter.
Reviewers have probably complained about how they couldn't take Zafira or Nasir seriously as the Hunter or Prince of Death. However (if this is the case) I think they're missing the point. I believe that was the author's intention. Zafira and Nasir may have these intimidating roles and personas, but what this book shows is that those personas do not tell the full story of who they actually are.
Favorite Quotes:
Paranoia had a way of visiting when he was least desired.
Darkness had seized his mind, whispers and half-crazed screams echoing in his ears when his fingers passed over the inscriptions in the ancient tongue. It was a darkness wrought with pain, a darkness that could never end.
It was a darkness that despaired in itself.
Maybe the tiny lions were merely ornaments, a display of pride for the victory over a man who defied men, only to be slain by women.
In this moment, we are two souls, marooned.
That was life, wasn't it? A collection of moments, a menagerie of people. Everyone stranded everywhere, always. ⭐️
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual content, Suicide, and Alcohol
Verbal abuse (graphic)doodeedoda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Child death
dokushoka's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Blood, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Misogyny, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Slavery, Dementia, Death of parent, and Abandonment
miaaa_lenaaa'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
3.25
‘‘But you’ll be dead and I’ll be… Okht I’ll be alone,’ Lana whispered. Zafira’s eyes burned. ‘It’s what Baba would have wanted.’’ Lol wut?
And
‘Deen’s throat would never bob again.’ Lol wut
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
aklovekorn'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
4.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
bri__'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
kbairbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
takarakei'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
4.0
I listened to only the audiobook for the first ~25% and then finished the rest in one day by doing a combo of audiobook + reading a physical copy (the first time I've done that which I did enjoy). That first 25% was pretty slow going only on audiobook, and I definitely made use of the author/book's website to look up the map and the terminology/characters many many times as I was quite confused with what words meant (wish these were in the physical book for easy reference, idk how people get through without it).
The narrators (one for each MC POV) were fantastic - and I definitely think it added to the drama and action/pacing of the latter part of the book. I especially love how the narrator does Altair's voice, it's just perfect and def made him my fav character. The beginning is very slow and not even just because of world building, just like...nothing happens? for a while. Once the quest actually begins the story does pick up and then probably the final half of the book things really get more interesting with the introduction of additional characters, and their interplay/relationships/camaraderie building. By the end I didn't want to put it down, but the ending did feel a bit abrupt. And for that reason I feel like I have to continue reading the series because nothing is resolved at all.
Some romance: enemies to lovers, pretty slow burn (it's YA) 0-1/5 spice
I did find the history of the world (the 6 sisters, how magic works) a bit confusing, but I think it's intentionally done
I likely wouldn't have rated it at 4 stars if I hadn't done the audiobook, but kudos to the publisher for getting great narrators! I'll definitely be doing book 2 on audio also.
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death and Injury/Injury detail