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This series has a set of novellas that occur before the start of this book. I recommend reading those first. It gives insight into the MC and its nice to have context on the events she refers to throughout the story. Plus I don't think I would have liked her as much had I not known about her past.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Murder, Classism
Minor: Genocide, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Grief, War
I wasn't expecting anything actually. None of it at all. It just kind of jumped out and it felt so random, but not in a bad way, I'd say its more like a shocking topic added in the plot that I ABSOLUTELY adore! It was such a fun read and there was a lot going on I didn't want to put it down. And honestly I didn't. AND OMG the love triangle?! AAHHH! It was so, so so, good!
And the introductory to magic was just- AHHHH! SO COOL!
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Death, Vomit
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Racism, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Abandonment, Classism
Minor: Child death, Genocide, Rape
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder
Minor: Drug use, Sexism, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
The beginning of this book does have its annoyances. It took me a while to get into this style. It’s in 3rd person, but it’s like SJM wanted to show us some of those deep, inner-thought insights like she did in ACoTaR. They seem a little off or forced in some places because we’re NOT inside the character’s head…
With that being said, once you do get through some of the world building I actually found this book to move FASTER than the ACoTaR series because it is a little more plot driven without those long inner monologues. It does feel like it takes longer as a reader to feel connected to Celaena without her thoughts - especially if you read this book first. In hindsight, I wish I had started with Assassins Blade!
There are definitely parts where the writing seems… a little unedited…? I know it’s her first series/book so maybe it’s just that? (The rest of the series doesn’t come off that way to me- just this book.)
There are a lot of loveable characters in here - and of course a few you love to hate! I’m excited to read book 2 😁
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Gore, Slavery, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Death of parent, War
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism, Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail