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willow1113'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Emotional abuse, and Medical trauma
hardbackednooks'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
4.25
With the first-person past tense narrative and occasional breaking of the fourth wall, it was hard to feel any tension about Phedre's fate, but my heart was in my throat any time one of the other characters was threatened or involved in some machination. There are some truly shocking parts of this story and I found my jaw hanging open on more than one occasion.
If you're one for worldbuilding, politicking, and fantasy religions, this might be the perfect fit for you. The layers and maneuvers playing out throughout the world are endless and fascinating; even with all the info now that I'm done, there were still things that surprised me when I was able to piece it all together. Overall, this could've been a 5-star read with more editing towards the middle/later third, but still very deserving of a read. I'll be continuing the series once my hold comes in.
All that being said, this is a very intense book. Definitely NSFW and 18+, and absolutely do not read if you are triggered by pain, abuse, or assault of any kind.
Graphic: War, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual assault
arnoldrm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Slavery, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, and Sexual violence
alexalily'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
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Slavery, War, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Gore
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Confinement, Grief, Animal death, and Pregnancy
keishbby'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Animal death, War, Torture, Rape, Death, Violence, Grief, and Blood
jagrove'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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, and War
nofys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Murder, Death, Slavery, Sexual violence, War, Torture, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape
mlweih's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Murder, Racism, Torture, Violence, and War
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Racism, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Torture, Sexual assault, War, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
bkmckown's review
2.0
The overall story was fairly interesting. The sexy parts were indeed spicy. That’s about it.
Now for the stuff I did NOT like:
Let me preface this to say that I don’t like fantasy that much. Especially the ones who refer to characters in full name, the ones that have names that are difficult to pronounce, the ones that have exotic names for every group of people, location, position, etc
The main character is basically a child who is taught in the erotic arts. HUGE WTF! She’s a sex slave. Her first “master” just enjoys inflicting pain- which part of her “curse” makes it pleasurable to her. I felt like it wasn’t BDSM, but just abuse. Maybe there was a time in my life where I’d find this read enjoyable, but this isn’t it.
I did give it 2 stars because the author did create and intricate cast of characters and story, but honestly, I would’ve DNF at any other time.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Classism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, War, Death, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, and Misogyny