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paperbacksandsnacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was my second attempt at reading this which I think is important to note. The first attempt I had to do a soft DNF because I just really couldn’t get into the story at all. So at least this time was better. But I do still think this took a while to really get my teeth into, and even then I felt like I was a bit bored until maybe the last 25%.
Tbh it’s a very confusing book. I don’t read a lot of dark academia so maybe that’s just the genre as a whole but for me I was just like what is actually going on for a solid 40% of the book (although not necessarily all the first 40%). It was both vague and far too detailed. And you’d start to like a character or a part of the storyline and then it would just change and be from someone else’s perspective or that subplot would be forgotten. Idk. Also, I was never sure of the chronological order because it all felt a bit chaotic. That did add more mystery I guess but I’m not super convinced.
I think the series as a whole has potential. With the way this book ended I’m thinking the second book will be far more interesting. That’s not to say this one wasn’t, I just think it was a lot of build up for the series as a whole. I am super intrigued about the connection between Nico and Libby, and also Tristan. I think the characters were written well because I did have a lot of read and vivid feelings towards them like the rage I felt at Callum if I’m being very honest.
Overall, I think this book was an okay part of a potentially promising whole. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read and tbh I’m not going to rush to read the second book. But it was an interesting and different read for me. If you like dark academia with magical elements then you’ll probably be super in your comfort zone with this one.
I’d sum it up by saying this is a seductive novel that challenges your thoughts and ideals. Would you betray all your morals for a chance at true power and almost infinite knowledge?
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, Suicide, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Murder
clairelisebella's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Murder
Minor: Violence
crypticspren'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
3.75
Although it was a bit of a slog to begin with, the conclusion to the book definitely left nothing to be desired and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it's overall done a good job of setting up the world and the sequel should (hopefully) have much better pacing.
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
franzis_buecher's review against another edition
4.5
But apart from that I really enjoyed listening to this!! The audiobook and the different narrators are great, thanks to the voice actors! And I especially love Nico as a character, and his relationship to Gideon (which is probably meant to be a platonic, very deep friendship but tbh I do kind of ship it romantically).
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings
mhyland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
moonysraccoons'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexual content, Murder, Death, and Suicide
rhogosch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
als ich das Buch gekauft habe, habe ich ja mit vielem gerechnet, aber ganz sicher nicht, dass sich das Ganze zu nem philosophischen Thriller Drama entwickelt (ja das Genre gibt es und zwar seit genau jetzt).
Die Fantasy ist dabei gar nicht im Fokus. Blake verwendet wenig Zeit auf Worldbuilding und versucht gar nicht erst die Mechanik ihres Magiesystems zu erklären. Und wieder erwartend stört es null. Von Anfang an treten die Figuren und ihre Charakterisierungen in den Vordergrund. Im ersten der acht Teile störte es mich noch richtig, dass vermeintlich massiv wichtige Gespräche und Szenen die eben zum Worldbuilding und Charaktereinführung beigetragen hätten einfach gescipt werden. Doch sobald ich mich von meinen Erwartungen gelöst hatte ein Fantasy Schwergewicht zu lesen, Boom unglaublich geniales Storytelling.
In diesem Buch geht es um die Fragestellung was unbegrenzte Macht mit den verschiedensten Persönlichkeiten macht. Wie ihr Ehrgeiz ihr, Streben, bzw. ihr „Hungern“ sie zersetzt und verändert. Würdest du morden um die Naturgesetze formen zu können, jeden Menschen wie ein Buch lesen und umschreiben zu können, um einfach allmächtig zu werden?
Eine Besonderheit spielt dabei Blakes Schreibstil. Wer braucht lineare Zeitachsen wenn man zeitlich zwischen den Kapiteln springen kann und dadurch eine Szene wieder und wieder in neuem Licht betrachten kann. Nur um einfach jedes Mal neue Facetten zu offenbaren und mich zu zwingen meine Meinung jedes Mal zu revidieren. Gedachtes, gefühltes und gesprochenes geht ineinander über. Das hat zur Folge das man wirklich mit den Figuren denkt. Ihr Handlungsmotive nachfühlt und die Szene quasi selbst erlebt. Das hat aber auch zu Folge gehabt das ich Seiten wirklich dreimal gelesen habe und jedes Mal anders verstanden habe. Was schlussendlich darin geendet ist, dass ich den „“ für wörtliche Rede einfach nicht mehr getraut habe.
Als Krönung verändert sich die Art des Textes immer zu den Figuren. Blake verschafft den nervösen Ticks von Libby sprachlichen Ausdruck, genauso wie ich Callums Passagen auch ohne die Überschrift identifizieren konnte, einfach an dem kalten rationalen Satzbau und Wortschatz. Ich würde so weit gehen zu sagen, dass wenige Sätze in diesem Buch zufällig gewählt worden sind.
Einziger Kritikpunkt: Leute bekommt mal eure Triebe unter Kontrolle! Also ernsthaft jetzt. Keine einzige Sexszene hat mich gestört, weil sie nicht einfach nur eine Beschreibung des Aktes waren. Sondern weil auch hier das offensichtliche in den Hintergrund getreten ist und dafür Charakterentwicklung betrieben wurde. Entscheidung wurden während diesen Szenen besiegelt, bzw. dem Leser zum ersten Mal erklärt wieso so gehandelt wurde. Aber letzten Endes war es mir dann doch ein zu großes Handlungsmotiv. Jeder hatte auf einmal ein verstecktes Verlangen, eine geheime Liebe, oder ein darauf bezogenes Trauma. Dabei hätte man noch so viel aus den Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Figuren rausholen können.
Absolute Empfehlung. Dieses Buch sorgt für frischen Wind und Abwechslung. Gerade für so high Fantasy verwöhnte Menschen wie mich. Achso hab ich eigentlich schon den Cliffhänger am Ende erwähnt…
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Murder, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Suicide
Minor: Genocide and Rape
monstrouscosmos's review against another edition
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Infidelity, Bullying, Incest, Rape, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, Medical content, Death, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Child abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, Sexism, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence
I put all the triggers I remembered in "moderate", though some would definitely be better described as "minor" or "graphic".hjb_128'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: Gun violence, Violence, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicide, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
greenrowan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide