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lilifane'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
4.0
It is a little too long and info dumpy at the beginning, but I enjoyed it a lot and couldn't put it down in the end. I'm still confused by the very obvious inspirations for the nations in this world. They feel rather cliché and like lazy world building, although the other parts of the world (the history/myths/magic) are really cool and interesting. I'm definitely curious how the mystery regarding the magic and the prophecies will unfold.
I really like the main characters, I'm intrigued (but also a little frustrated) by their dynamics. Even though a few scenes felt weirdly out of character. Curious about some of the side characters, who have a lot of potential, too.
As for the plot... there was a lot of getting to know the characters and the political atmosphere first, and it felt like the plot wasn't going anywhere. But it definitely picked up towards the end and held some surprises. It's funny how I expected certain things to happen, but then they happened in a way I wasn't expecting. So that was fun.
What was not fun, was one cruel development at the end. I get why it is there and what it means to the plot. But it involves a child, and I really think it didn't need to be one. Feels like a cheap method to create shock value, tbh.
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Chronic illness, Toxic friendship, Classism, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Drug use, Medical content, Murder, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
peeyarlmarie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Drug use
signebrum'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
Spoilers below:
Speaking of eating books up, this one was a thrill! I loved Castallane and the new world. The characters all had their charm and flaws, I don’t really know who to trust, but funnily enough, the criminal overlord of the ragpicker king is one I would trust.
Most Cassandra Clare fans probably expect romance, and while there’s definitely some (please let Conor and Lin get together), it’s mainly hinting towards it. I’m sensing that it will be more abundant in the next book, but it isn’t necessary for the story.
Overall, I loved this book, it was beautifully written and I’m excited for the next installment
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, Alcohol, and Medical content
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Rape
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, Sexual content, Child death, Gore, and Misogyny
Moderate: Classism, Medical content, and Mental illness
Minor: War, Confinement, Alcohol, Colonisation, Vomit, and Genocide
natashaleighton_'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: Violence, Death, Child death, and Blood
Moderate: Terminal illness, Drug use, Racism, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Genocide
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, Vomit, and Sexism
taryn_g's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Blood, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Torture, Alcohol, Medical content, and Genocide
Minor: Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and War
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Racism, Sexism, Cursing, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence