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thecatconstellation's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
My only critique is that the council members are supposedly so meaningful to Tar, but only a few of them are fleshed out beyond the most basic level.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Child abuse, Violence, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: War, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Classism, Blood, Child death, Xenophobia, Confinement, Rape, Murder, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Slavery, Alcohol, and Sexual content
fleur____'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
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Colonisation, Death of parent, Misogyny, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Physical abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Slavery, Alcohol, Excrement, Xenophobia, Body horror, Classism, and Vomit
ginameix'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse
pagesandtales'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Rape
bookishmillennial'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
Graphic: Death, Violence, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Sexual content
linblythe_pub22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and Sexism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Vomit, Xenophobia, Blood, and War
ejspiese's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Vomit
ashlikes'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
5.0
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Grief, Blood, Toxic relationship, Death, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Confinement, Colonisation, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Stalking, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Slavery, Medical content, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Rape, and Vomit
takarakei'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
4.5
audiobook was also well narrated (I did a mix)
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Sexism, Violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault, Animal death, and Rape
literarypenguin'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
5.0
The first thing I want to talk about is the world building and the world itself. The world was so interesting and a world I have never seen before in a novel. Each location had it's own culture, people, and diverse landscapes. Each place was different from the other, making the world feel alive and lived in like it could be a real place. The magic system in place was well explained and unique, the powers of the Ray and how the council was joined together as one was a cool concept to explore. The Harrows were cool and explained how some had abilities while others didn't.
The characters were amazing and one of my favorite parts of the book! How you had a strong young female character of color who you watched go through so much and couldn't help but root for her till the very end. Tarisai had earned everything she got in the end and worked hard to get to that point! She had to go through so much but came out stronger by the end! She felt very believable and her struggles connect her with a lot of women who have went through similar obstacles in their own lives. Dayo was also a very well thought out character, he was kind and honest nothing like usual male characters who were born into royalty. He was a noble but he didn't act like it. Also he is canonically asexual, which is unheard of in most books especially if it's the main male lead character. And Tarisai and Dayo had more of a friendship or brother and sister like bond which was very refreshing to read after so many love triangles involving main characters. Sanjeet was a great character, I loved him so much and he was another well thought out and deep character! His story and how he connected to Tarisai was sweet and honestly adorable to read about. They both kept each other grounded and understood each other on a deeper level. Kirah was a supportive and amazing best friend to Tarisai, she was there for her and helped her out without question. Woo In was hilarious and the king of sarcastic humor. The Lady, I think she is one of the best and most complex villians I have read about in a long while. At times her motives are heinous and cruel, other times you understand why she did what she did and sympathize with her. It was fun to have a villian you could feel both ways about.
The themes of emotional abuse and the effects it can have on one person for the remainder of their lives is thought provoking. You love that parent but you hate what they did to you and their hold on you despite wanting to break free from it. They are still your family and you still feel a love for them despite everything they have done to you. It also showed how a system can favor one class over the other, making everyone else's lives harder. How important culture is to a person and how changing that can hurt a group of people.
This book was overall a treat to read and I am glad that I gave this book a chance! I cant wait to read the second book in the series and see what happens next!
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood