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noshakira'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? Yes
5.0
The only difficulty is that some names can be hard to pronounce (as with most fantasy novels) and keep straight, as many are similar or characters go by multiple names for differing reasons, so it's easy to get confused and I'd have to continually remind myself who was who.
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Confinement, Murder, Death, Classism, Violence, and War
Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, Trafficking, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Incest, Infidelity, and Kidnapping
szuum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
Graphic: Classism, Death, Homophobia, Torture, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Infidelity, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Incest, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Murder, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Gore
lilifane'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? Yes
5.0
It's a story about a boy, Khirin, who grows up as a musician's son and thief. Until his insatiable curiosity and an enormous amount of luck (..not so sure if good or bad luck though..) turns his life upside down.
This book has all the things I love. Adventure, mystery, prophesies, incredible world building, political intrigue, conspiracies, secret identities, diversity, queer representation, magic, drama, a lot of humor and an endless amount of plot twists.
There are also things that might not be for everyone, but that I live for. Like the narrative structure. The story is told through 2 unreliable narrators (with hilarious narrative voices), they take turns telling each other parts of the story. It's ... complicated, you as the reader are thrown into a complex new world and have to figure out how it works on your own. (Although there is a glossary, I don't recommend reading it, there is not much help there but some spoilers if you check too early) Characters have epiphanies and strong reactions, and you just think "What the hell just happened? What is going on?" Eventually, you figure it out.... although it's difficult without drawing a chart of all the characters and their relationships to each other. It will be a messy one.
It's a dark story with lots of violence and death and torture and gore. But it's also one of the funniest books I've read in a while. It's a weird combination, but the humor took away lots of the darkness. Otherwise, it could have been a very depressing read. Instead, I had a great, enjoyable reading experience. The dialogues are to die for, very witty, I laughed out loud so many times. But I also got attached to several characters and got more emotional than I thought was possible.
Then there is the chosen one trope. I've become a little tired of it in the last few years. But the way this trope is handled here is very refreshing. And Khirin is such a fun chosen one to spend time with.
There are also short chapters. It was such a quick read and I literally couldn't put this book down. I love how, although it's so convoluted, everything fits together perfectly at the end. Every time I think about a tiny detail, it just makes sense. Every character's decision and reaction is logical or at least understandable from the character's point of view.
Oh, and there are footnotes. And they are everything! I was even sad there weren't more.
There was one thing that bothered me personally. Because I'm a huge fan of prophesies, I was a little disappointed that we don't actually get the full picture here. We just get bits and pieces of the prophecies and hints. But I really hope it's because there is more to come in the next few books.
Speaking of the next few books. I can't believe this is a debut novel. I can't believe this was published in 2019, and I haven't even heard of it until recently. I can't believe there are already 4 books out in the series, and the fifth and last one comes out next week?!
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Torture, Violence, War, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Rape, Incest, and Infidelity
foxeswander's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicide, Torture, Rape, Murder, Violence, Slavery, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Gore, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Incest, Infidelity, and Adult/minor relationship
caseythereader's review
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Incest