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obscurepages'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: Child death, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
eyeleash'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
Moderate: Violence, Murder, War, and Classism
Minor: Child death
ainadei'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Violence and Abandonment
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
4.25
Graphic: Death and Violence
bookishmillennial'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
I am so sad that I am done with this duology. I will miss this world and these characters so much! I need a tv or film adaptation ASAP! This would be such a wonderful series to bring to life onscreen!!!
Anyway, I thought this book tied up everything quite nicely, and I didn't feel like anything was *too* convenient for the sake of wrapping up a plot. I felt like JI thoughtfully crafted fitting and beautiful "endings" for Tarisai, Sanjeet, Zuri, Dayo, and the rest of the cast. I especially appreciated Zuri's arc, in how he acted in alignment with his goals and beliefs about bringing about revolution and liberation from the corrupt, wealthy ruling class.
The queer representation was lovely, with our ace-spec character, and lesbian characters too! I really grew to love all of these characters even more, and I appreciated seeing their friendships and romances develop further in this book.
Of course, Tarisai has a lot on her plate - going to the underworld, figuring out ray-things, and coming into her own while balancing respect for who she was before (and who her found family loved before!). It's hard to go through so much change and evolution, not just for you, but for those around you, and I felt that this was illustrated quite realistically. It's uncomfortable sometimes, and I could see where Tarisai's found family was coming from. However, I also just rooted for Tarisai to do what she needed to do, and to evolve into who she wanted to be! Both feelings are valid, and we can hold space for them both.
Again, I will miss this world so much, but I am so grateful for this duology. Truly one of my favorites!
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
blueberry0531'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
tired_cicada'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? Yes
4.0
For the good, Ifueko's writing style is so pretty and poetic. She writes characters who feel like real people. She handles sensitivite subjects with such grace and honor. Her takes in justice and personal accountability leave a flushed out story while also making a clear social comentary. Her use of mythology to enhance the story without turning it into a crutch is so masterful! All of her story lines get wrapped up, I don't like anything plot important was left with loose threads. Some relationships were left open ended, and not everything is "fixed" but it was a natural conclusion to the duology.
The Ace rep specifically was so dear to me! To have an emotional, loving, HUMAN character who is conically ace is so rare! Love my boy Dyao!!
As for the not so good--
There were definitely some pacing issues with this book. The magic system, particularly the bargain aspect of it, could have used a bit more time to flush it out.
The love triangle was entirely unnecessary, particularly when it amounted to nothing.
It was a little predictable
All in all, the good outweighed the bad, and I liked it.
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Classism
theaceofpages'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
4.0
I was, however, a little disappointed by all the new characters. There are A LOT of them and I feel like less care is given to them than those in the first book. And yet a good portion of the pages is dedicated to this. It means that other important plot points probably aren't given as much space and time as they should have. I really think this book could have benefitted from more pages to accomplish all the many things it as trying to do. Maybe even a whole other book, but I suspect that that would have just resulted in the story dragging so just expanding this (although already not short) would have been a noticeable improvement. Like I would have loved to have seen more of the Underworld as the author clearly put so much effort into making it. (And of course it's also what the duology has been building up to for hundreds of pages) as well as the resolution.
While this book might not quite have lived up to Raybearer for me, I did still enjoy it and would still recommend it. It provides a good conclusion to all the conflict and the story that were started in the previous book. And of course it is always nice to read about a unique fantasy world that is so unlike the more typical western-centric ones that one comes across so often. I hope that the author writes more about the world in the future. It is definitely one I would love to spend more time exploring.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Mental illness, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Genocide, Suicide, Blood, Murder, and Pregnancy
There are also some mentions of the events of the previous bookericadawson'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
4.0
I'd worried at one point that a certain romantic subplot would kill my love for the book, but even that took a a turn that I didn't expect, serving to enhance the overall story of Tarisai Kunleo.
The prose is as lush as the previous installment. I had petty gripes here and there, but overall I loved every word. The story is complex without being convoluted, and rich without being overseasoned. Although I was less invested in the relational and plot conflicts in this one (nothing will ever beat the stakes of the first), I was still glad to see all the twists and turns it took for Tarisai to be the woman she was meant to be. No relationship felt forgotten or underbaked. The pacing was strong and steady 99% of the time. The worldbuilding is at a level that I can only aspire to reach. I love this book. Highly recommend.
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
readandfindout's review against another edition
4.25
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Death of parent, and War