elizajaquays's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

stateofiction's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

you can't be morally grey and whiny about it

overall, the story was fine. though the ending kind of leaves me wondering how the plot could possibly continue in a second book

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wicked_bibliophile's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kylieqrada's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • 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

5.0

Um ok, but, Kylie???? There is no way that this is your debut!!!!!!! I was absolutely just enthralled by this one. Like, couldn't put it down, ignoring all phone notifications, my left hip hurts from sitting badly on the couch, super hungry past time for lunch, enthralled. If you like morally gray characters, biracial bad-asses, Japanese folklore, and/or action-packed journeys to find oneself, you will like this. 


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • 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? Yes

4.0

Ooo this was dark! And full of Japanese mythology. If you're looking for a book that has a morally gray main character who does some questionable things, this is the book for you. Baker does an excellent job creating this world and pulling you in with these characters. The entire book is atmospheric and engaging.

I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator absolutely helped make the story for me. She pulled me into Ren's story and helped with the world building and enchanting nature of the story. With that ending, I can't wait for the second book!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

rachelwierick's review against another edition

Go to review page

I’m in the middle of an important action scene and I FELL ASLEEP. 
But for real…there is a totally unnecessary animal death scene, and yes I dnf’d the book, but as far as I can tell it didn’t add anything to the plot other than to be upsetting. After the protagonist gets to Japan, the book just seemed repetitive and slow, and I got so bored I started falling asleep during important scenes.  

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

shadesofkate26's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Really enjoyed the sibling relationship. Liked the mythology and historical setting. Overall enjoyed this book.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mariahkindareads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-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? Yes

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wai's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • 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? Yes

4.25

I really enjoyed this novel. My mom is half Japanese and half white and has talked about facing issues of racism/xenophobia in both America and Japan because of it, yet it's still relatively rare to see representation of that. Plus I love the mythology of this world and I want to know more - I want to know about all the different cultures versions of reapers. 

I know a lot of people have mentioned not liking Ren, but personally I like that she's difficult and cold. It's interesting to see the discrepancies in what she said she was like vs her actions and reactions to things. And I've read books with male characters who were far more unlikable who we're supposed to sympathize with. But I do feel bad for Neven and think he deserves much better as well. 

I'm really interested in this as a duology and am not sure where the second book would go from here. I'll definitely be picking up a copy when it comes out.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lynneliu's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...