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livelaughlesbian99's review against another edition
3.75
And that’s kind what it’s supposed to be, so I’m not judging my rating on that. This takes place in a brutal world where slavery is normalized across many cultures. If that does not sound like a horror you can stomach do not read this book. I can understand why some say this romanticizes slavery, but I saw it more as trying to explore how cultures of the past treated sexual slavery (which is a horrific but prominent part of the human past… this content isn’t based off of nothing. Ancient Greeks and Romans had cultural practices similar to the practices in the book).
Personally I appreciate the focus on how those who were enslaved would have been impacted by societies like this. Between Damen and Erasmus’ perspective you learn a lot about how these systems are justified. I do not believe including morally wrong beliefs in characters means the text condones them. But I completely understand why people have issues with this book and it’s fine if you do. For me books with subject matter like this are also horror books, and like horror books, there can be catharsis in exploring the worst of humanity.
That being said, oh my GOD did I love this book’s political intrigue. It really is as good as people say. While this book is really preamble for the rest of the series, which is why I rated it the way I did, the ending was fantastic.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Rape, Slavery, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death, Pedophilia, and War
lisareadingbooks_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Torture, Sexual content, Rape, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
30something_reads's review against another edition
4.25
Yes.
And now I have to go get the other ones because I am invested.
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Violence, War, and Blood
Minor: Rape and Animal death
hoppyread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Slavery, Drug use, Child abuse, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury
dontaadme's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Slavery, and Rape
Moderate: Violence, Pedophilia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
giulia_rossi's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Bullying, Torture, Death, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Pedophilia
raineedayreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Slavery, War, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
dahliaden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Slavery, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, War, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Child abuse
brdiaz1123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Slavery, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, War, Blood, Animal cruelty, Death, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Sexual content
zoey_blk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Slavery, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Classism, Blood, and Drug use
Minor: War and Alcohol