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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
When the devil puts up walls, men smash them, and if they cannot smash them, they despair, or they walk away. But women must trickle through the cracks, they find a way through, because they have no choice, because they have nowhere to go, and nothing to smash with. (238)
Speculative elements tied to an atypical historical setting and plucky, endearing characters that came together in a sort of chimera and mostly worked well!
A courageous and creative book that includes varied women, each of whom are strong in their own way, though difficult and different in concert, a trans man who knows himself though many others are unsure, and a background of transformed beast-people with weapon, instrument, and animal parts melded with their former human bodies: a definition of character, soldier, actor somewhere between grotesque and cool.
I want only desperate men beside me.(229)
Some flaws in editing, missed periods and typos, and one page—with the bishop’s verdict on revenant property—entirely missing! I consider this a fair price to pay for original, non-romance, queer historical fantasy… but it was in addition to not quite being the novel I wanted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Murder, War
Moderate: Child death, Transphobia, Dysphoria
Minor: Sexual assault
It was just so meh. The plot and pacing were great, and I loved the world building, but there was something about the writing that activity pushed me away. I don't think it was bad, it just wasn't good.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had me invested in the first 20 pages and kept me engaged in both the cast and world till the final page. I can't recommend this book enough!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
adventurous
dark
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes