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the_harlequin's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Outing, Pregnancy, Classism, Body horror, Violence, Ableism, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
jselliot's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Credit where credit is due. Jenna is a marketing genius. But that is where the buck stops.
For one, swearing and dick measuring contests are not what separates YA from adult fiction. This is essentially a bloated YA novel that would have been better served by either cutting it into two books, or condensing the content. Both would have been viable options, because there was both not enough going on and too much excess in areas. The characters were also immature and acted like teenagers, not adults with responsibilities ... and the world building is full of holes. It's Fantasy Greece plaster, but for the premise and set-up, even fantastical religion is curiously absent in a theocracy. It doesn't make sense.
1.5 stars awarded for the obvious potential, but that potential was squandered.
For one, swearing and dick measuring contests are not what separates YA from adult fiction. This is essentially a bloated YA novel that would have been better served by either cutting it into two books, or condensing the content. Both would have been viable options, because there was both not enough going on and too much excess in areas. The characters were also immature and acted like teenagers, not adults with responsibilities ... and the world building is full of holes. It's Fantasy Greece plaster, but for the premise and set-up, even fantastical religion is curiously absent in a theocracy. It doesn't make sense.
1.5 stars awarded for the obvious potential, but that potential was squandered.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Gore
hspauthor's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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 enjoyed diving into this new Dark Fantasy series by a super talented self-published author. The writing style flowed beautifully and matched the emotional impacts at the right time. The characterization of the main characters and the antagonistic characters pay it off each other marvellously. And there was a beautiful balance in the pacing between the human interactions, and the plot is propelled forwards. I was intrigued by some of the twists that were present. Even though they appeared pretty evident to me regarding the disconnect, it had with the descriptions of certain characters and their roles within this Fantastical world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Cursing, Death, and Body horror
Moderate: Misogyny
lau_ro's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Bullying
Moderate: Gore and Slavery
Minor: Misogyny and Physical abuse
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