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claudiamacpherson'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
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Gun violence, and Forced institutionalization
ember_eyes_are_for_tigers'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
- Talking about the murders I really enjoyed discovering who it was, as I was certain it was Tatiana. Instead, I really enjoyed the reveal and the ending. With the reveal of Cordelia being sworn as a Paladin to Lilith (and perhaps it’s just me) but, at the moment, I do not see how troubling it must be.
Perhaps it was not emphasised enough or perhaps I simply think that Cordelia shouldn’t shy away from the power Lilith is offering, and embrace it for the time being. But, I can see how being sworn to a demon can be bad- although, I’m certain there will be a resolution so I’m not quite worried.
- Instead I’m worried about Lucie and Jesse, and Mathew and Cordelia in Paris:
On one hand I know that Paris will be a disaster and I’m certain that both Cordelia and Mathew will realise so. Mathew’s promise to remain sober will not last and I’m actually really excited to see the fallout of that and Cordelia having to realise that Mathew is far more similar to her father than she wants to believe.
On the other hand, there’s Lucie. Her arc throughout the book was so fascinating, I really enjoyed how it’s subtly shown how, as she becomes more infatuated with Jesse and more time went by, the more her morals skewed. From being against necromancy she revived her ghost boyfriend and I really enjoyed that.
I can’t wait to see the fallout of her having to face what she did and having her family and friends having to come to terms with it.
However, I will also admit that while I enjoyed the book there were certain details I wish would be different. Mostly with Anna and Ariadne/Kamala, and Filomena.
With the latter I was really excited about her character, but, she ended up dying rather soon and not really having a time to shine. Nevertheless I really enjoyed every scene she was in, although there was the scene where Cordelia and Lucie where in the training room and Filomena interrupted and later made a comment about James’ shoulders, I believe, that had me quite uncomfortable.
Another character that I was really disappointed from was Anna.
She was my favourite character in Chain of Gold, and I related so much to her in Every Exquisite Thing, as a nonbinary lesbian, but her character felt incredibly unrealistic throughout the book. The detail that most threw me off was not how she reacted to Ariadne/Kamala wanting to return into her life, but how she doesn’t acknowledge her privilege as a queer presenting white woman.
There were so many small details about her that made me furious, even the instance where she keeps the names of her “conquests” in a small book- that was such an unnecessary detail.
I hope, however, that in Chain of Thorns she will have an actual character arc. But, for the moment, I believe that Ariadne/Kamala deserves better.
I also really hope to get more scene with Alastair, he’s a really fascinating character and I’m really rooting for him (and to have some friends).
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Blood, and Alcohol
Moderate: Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
books_with_mads'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
Minor: Alcoholism and Violence
brookey8888'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: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There's a lot to be straightened out in the last book in this trilogy, and you know I will definitely be reading it. Even though it just feels like these books just keep getting longer and longer.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
sunsetcity'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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
gm_vak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Violence, and Blood
melaniereadsbooks'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
I can't wait for Chain of Thorns.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
pannonianbookworm'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Mental illness, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
lyderz_'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
5.0
We have a dark and moody winter in London. We have Edwardian era fashion (I seriously had to look up what spats are). We have tea. We have a murder mystery. We have literal chess games and metaphorical ones too! What more do you need?
This book in particular felt very character driven, which I typically enjoy. There are obviously dangers driving things along, but it is so focused on the complex interpersonal relationships between the main characters that I found the mysterious murder plot secondary to all that for most of the book. It all did eventually gain momentum but I honestly thought the main showdown was a bit anticlimactic. I wanted more action, it’s strange because the threats in this book are very cosmic and impending, and yet they don’t feel very immediate. With all of that said, I understand that the vibe of this trilogy is focused on the drama, and let's be honest, that is what I am really here for. I love reading about all the social gatherings and the gossip. Every scene with the Merry Thieves all gathered together is so fun to read, I am obsessed with their group dynamics. These characters have such contradictory relationships because they are so closely entwined and care for each other so deeply and yet they can be very closed off from each other when they are struggling the most. Each have their own things going on, and their own juicy secrets as well. We got to see some new sides to these characters and I was surprised by how vastly my opinions of some of them have shifted since Chain of Gold, for better or for worse…
Like many Shadowhunter stories, the themes of this book are intensely centered around love. But in this case, we’re exploring the ways that love can be damaging. Or in the sense that harmful things can be disguised as love. We see time and time again these characters holding back, turning inward and keeping quiet because of their love rather than using it as a driving force for the goodness that they all strive for, which seems to perpetually remain out of reach. There are so many toxic and angsty things going on that it makes me want to scream but I’m looking forward to getting some resolutions in the next book, hopefully. In all honesty I’m sensing tragedy, I have some theories about what's next and I feel like I picked up on some foreshadowing. By the Angel I hope I’m wrong.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Murder
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Death of parent