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larkspurlane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Child death
Minor: Abortion
abbyschalupa's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Grief, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Torture, Vomit, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Abortion
carolined314's review
- 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
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Death, and Stalking
Minor: Abortion
mar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion and Forced institutionalization
madarauchiha's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I think the magic system was the most interesting part of the plot. I absolutely do not care for the MC being a 'fantasy cop'. I feel like they could've been a random, lower level government official that got caught up in a conspiracy and that would feel less like copaganda.
Aside from that, it's pretty interesting and original, plot and setting wise. The writing is very lovely and pleasant to read.
The author is white so they do some weird things with the black(?) characters / characters of color. Particularly with religious muslim dress codes. [see below]
There's also weird transphobic shit about nonbinary people having to be perfectly balanced fem / masc presenting. I don't think that was necessary and isn't realistic. Yes I know this is a story about magic masks. But listen, if it's not realistic to the culture and society you're creating, it wil pull me out of the story. And if examples become more egregious it will reflect poorly on the author to me. It's particularly odd because there are multiple pronoun types used.
The serial killing vaguely reminded me of From Hell / Jack the Ripper. It's not a complete copy but there were similarities.
I appreciate that the plot felt cohesive as it coalesced into the finale. I didn't realize or notice that this is a series. I thought the ending was fairly solid, but there are explicitly unanswered questions and newly posed questions that may discourage those not interested in following along to the next book. I'll probably read the sequel if the plot looks interesting.
โช She thanked the gods for her dark complexion. Maybe he wouldnโt notice her flush or fluster.
Uhh not sure that's how blushing works on dark skinned people? I'm not sure how dark skinned the MC is supposed to be.
"...the priest said in a tempered lilt that was neither high nor low, masculine nor feminine."
I deeply hate this transphobic shtick where nonbinary people have to perfectly straddle a line between masculinity and femininity. You could've and should have left it as they were nonbinary clothed as per the religions rules.
โช They consulted a silver watch pulled from deep in the folds of their burqa.
I'm not muslim much less a niqabi but like this is a very specific outfit for muslim people. Just say robes. I disagree on using this wording.
Content warnings:
minor: age gap, emetophobia, work camps,
medium: unsanitary, abuse, child abuse, NSFW, emetophobia, forced institutionalization, child abuse, alcohol use, pregnancy, domestic abuse, child abuse, abortion, blood, cults,
major: guns, body horror, child death, medical content, violence, prisons, police, torture, police brutality, police abuse, prison abuse, gore, injuries, blood, violence, cults, violence, blood, death, brainwashing, domestic abuse, familial abuse, medical content, kidnapping, drugging, gore, animal violence,
major anti sex worker sentiment / whorephobia. Context:
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Vomit, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit
janeivy11's review
- 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, Body horror, Death, Gore, Medical content, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Kidnapping
Minor: Abortion, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
katieconrad's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, Violence, Murder, and Medical content
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Abortion