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abby_can_read'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 had high hopes for this book. I think this lived up to my hopes. I liked the worldbuilding and the lore and the magic systems. I liked the relationship between Liska and The Leszy.
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Animal death
erwikka'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
3.75
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Animal death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
skyecharmel's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal death
lkristin2018's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Animal death
mzquirk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Self harm, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual content
katievallin'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
3.5
I didn't like the body horror
Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Murder, Religious bigotry, Blood, Violence, Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
attolis's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Animal death, and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
babblingandbooks'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? Yes
4.5
I haven't felt this way about a book in such a long time. Despite its premise reminding me of quite a few other stories I have read (and enjoyed), Poranek succeeds in making it feel new and fresh and unique.
I know that some readers struggle to connect with a culture that isn't their own; constantly Googling words and phrases can be laborious to some. I however absolutely adored learning Polish phrases and customs and feelings the author's clear adoration for her heritage throughout the book.
The cast of characters is so charming and loveable and they feel very distinct. The banter between our empathetic and caring female MC and the charming yet emotionally wrought male MC had me giggling and kicking my feet, and their companions had me laughing and weeping simultaneously.
This novel gave me vibes of beauty and the beast, howl's moving castle, princess mononoke, dare I even mention acotar...?
And yet this book stands solidly on its own two feet.
The themes of religion, grief, and trauma are all beautifully dealt with, and made it easier to read certain tropes and themes that I'm not the biggest fan of
It's not a perfect story by any means; I wish certain plot points and elements were expanded upon more as they felt a little convenient - but this doesn't deter my love for this book.
Where The Dark Stands Still has single-handedly brought the joy of reading back to me.
Minor: Animal death
eatallthestars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Gore
Minor: Animal death and Grief