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kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
I enjoyed my time with this one! I think I read it in its original format, but I remember nothing from that. The lore was developed really well and I liked the social commentary. Not sure if I will continue, but I'm open to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Lesbophobia
motypeandroid's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I only finished this because I paid 10 of my hard earned dollars for it, but it was bad. It’s just fantasy racism centering on a biracial girl with like no nuance whatsoever. Black ppl only suffer all the time and white ppl hate them bc they have magic and are “dangerous” and dark like…girl you couldn’t come up with nothing else. But don’t worry the white prince is good and him and the main girl are gonna end racism w their love. Like I have to laugh.
On top of that, the magic system is so underdeveloped it’s not even funny. Earthsong does whatever you want it to: healing, earthquakes, empathic powers, flying, giant storm, etc. just stupid.
dumbest of all is that after they kill the bad guy the goddess lady just…gives jasminda the full magical capacity of a powerful monoracial earthsinger because…she earned it?? But 5 days ago she was fine to get special treatment over all her fellow black ppl as they were huddled together getting macroagressed and threatened by soldiers. Okay.
On top of that, the magic system is so underdeveloped it’s not even funny. Earthsong does whatever you want it to: healing, earthquakes, empathic powers, flying, giant storm, etc. just stupid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.0
This busy series starter kicks off a fantasy romance saga that holds a lot of promise. Our protagonists are Jasminda and Jack. Jasminda's a brave, no-nonsense farm girl with no family left in the world and one foot each in two warring countries. Her father was a magic-wielder from Lagrimar, her mother disowned from her Elsiran family for who she loves. Jasminda has experienced fear and ridicule in Elsira for her Lagrimari magic and appearance. On the verge of losing the family farm, she rescues Jack, an Elsiran soldier wounded and captured by Lagrimari who assume she will be on their side by looking at her. Sparks fly between Jasminda and Jack from the start, even though there are even more barriers to keep them apart than Jasminda knows.
Although I was a bit overwhelmed at first, I was firmly settled into the world by the end of the book. It has a historical vibe with technology like airships, radios, and cars. The book largely avoids info dumps. Each chapter kicks off with an adage from the world's legends, and Jasminda explores an important moment in history, the schism between Elsira and Lagrimar, firsthand through a magical object. I enjoyed how even though the 1920s/30s accoutrements made the world a bit familiar, it still feels fresh and intriguing.
In terms of romance, since that's the main engine for the plot, you can expect a star-crossed, us against the world feel with some open door steam. It's a bit instalove or at least a whirlwind, but the intensity of their experiences together made it slightly less perplexing to me.
I will warn readers that in addition to the fun sexual content on the page, there are some violent near-misses in terms of sexual assault for both leads. There is also copious sexual harassment directed Jasminda's way. Wartime violence extends to the attack of unarmed or underpowered refugees on multiple occasions. It is a hard book in those respects.
While the particular central romance was nice but not amazing for this reader, I feel very invested in the world and its trajectory by the end of this book. Now that world-building is established, I am excited to pick up the sequel and see if its romantic tropes are more to my taste because I think the series has a lot to offer.
Although I was a bit overwhelmed at first, I was firmly settled into the world by the end of the book. It has a historical vibe with technology like airships, radios, and cars. The book largely avoids info dumps. Each chapter kicks off with an adage from the world's legends, and Jasminda explores an important moment in history, the schism between Elsira and Lagrimar, firsthand through a magical object. I enjoyed how even though the 1920s/30s accoutrements made the world a bit familiar, it still feels fresh and intriguing.
In terms of romance, since that's the main engine for the plot, you can expect a star-crossed, us against the world feel with some open door steam. It's a bit instalove or at least a whirlwind, but the intensity of their experiences together made it slightly less perplexing to me.
I will warn readers that in addition to the fun sexual content on the page, there are some violent near-misses in terms of sexual assault for both leads. There is also copious sexual harassment directed Jasminda's way. Wartime violence extends to the attack of unarmed or underpowered refugees on multiple occasions. It is a hard book in those respects.
While the particular central romance was nice but not amazing for this reader, I feel very invested in the world and its trajectory by the end of this book. Now that world-building is established, I am excited to pick up the sequel and see if its romantic tropes are more to my taste because I think the series has a lot to offer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Gun violence, Physical abuse, War, and Violence
Minor: Lesbophobia, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
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