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sofiacazares'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
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Child abuse, Sexual assault, War, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Death, and Sexism
jellyfishym07'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: Death, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
sammysamsam'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Racism, Kidnapping, Death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Suicide, Child death, Gore, Torture, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Grief, Gaslighting, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Self harm, Medical content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Homophobia
dasnessie'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: War, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Death and Slavery
starccato'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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Slavery
Moderate: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Medical content, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, and Self harm
Minor: Ableism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Vomit
eviecate'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
4.5
This series has been a rollercoaster. When this book picked up at the conclusion of the last one I was scared. The first book was, in my opinion, the most intense and with the main character going back to the site of the majority of her trauma, I didn’t have high hopes. However I found this book to be the strongest in the trilogy. By the time I read this book I already had a strong connection to the characters and found myself on the edge of my seat for the majority of it. I did have a bit of difficulty navigating Lei’s first-person POV with Wren’s third-person but I got used to it. While the second book focused on relationships this one was mainly driven by the war. I think that made it stronger however my favorite moments were when characters were vulnerable with each other. Lei and Wren’s connection to one another is where this book really shines. The way they help each other cope with their traumas is beautiful. Ngan does a really good job of making the relationship balanced and not just sidelining Wren as only Lei’s love interest. These characters have both faced intense trauma and their different coping strategies really make them feel like distinct characters. I really liked how the series ended and i felt like everything was wrapped up nicely. This book made me feel every emotion. I didn’t cry but I came close. At the end of the day this book is about women learning to cope with extreme trauma in a society that is built to tear them down. I can have respect for a dystopian fantasy that has real world implications and this one definitely did.
My biggest problem with this book and series as a whole is the marketing to a young adult audience. I picked up the first novel in 2018 when it came out looking for a YA fantasy with a lesbian relationship and while it delivered on this I was shocked by the violence and sexual assault. While there is a trigger warning it is small and easy to miss. I think this marketing is a result of the author being a woman of color and the characters being 17-18 over the course of the series.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent
morgankailackerman'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
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, War, Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Toxic relationship