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Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
The main thing this book has going for it is the romance; a sort of enemies to lovers, with a touch of a love triangle. The characters were also pretty well developed, possibly the overall strongest aspect of this book. What I wanted more of was the world building; there were aspects of the Trials and the world that still felt a bit confusing for me towards the end of the book. Always something that can be added in later books, though!
The plot does have a few twists and turns in it, but a lot of the main events you'll likely see coming. Not sure it waranted being a 2023 best YA fantasy nominee, but it's still enjoyable nonetheless.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Torture, Death of parent
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Murder
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Torture
Anyways to actually reviewing the book- this has the most beautiful, exquisite writing I’ve ever experienced. I had the privilege of following Lauren Roberts through her journey, and I’m so grateful that I did, because I remember in like 2021 I believe, finding a TikTok on my “for you page” of Lauren reading a little “bedtime story” and it was a little snippet of Kai Azer describing Paedyn Gray. At that moment was when I had the realization that I wanted to read fantasy books. And now I’m here after watching her publish her book and seeing it go on the New York Times and Barnes & Noble bestselling charts. I’d like to say, thank you so much Lauren. You have now written one of my favorite books of all time and I’m so so so grateful for every time I laughed, giggled, cursed, gasped, and even sobbed at this book- because every moment was memorable.
Im always looking for books that will make me absolutely love the characters, and this book did just that. Paedyn Gray, Kai Azer, Jax Azer, literally all of them i absolutely fell in love with ESPECIALLY PAEDYN. Her fearlessness and the absolute badass moments she had, but she also was so kindhearted and sympathetic and, honestly, she’s one of my new favorite characters of all time.
Okay I’m done ranting about how freakishly amazing this book was, even though I could talk about this book forever. This book was way more than just 5 stars. And thank you Lauren for not only making me cry during the actual book, but also in the acknowledgments. <3
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Torture
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Fire/Fire injury
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Torture, Blood