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adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I caved and took a chance to read one of the most popular and talked about books all over social media and the internet. I wanted to see if it lived up to all the hype I have heard about it, it wasn't bad but it honestly wasn't all that great either. I'm not sure why it got such hype and praise, I don't think it doesn't deserve as much as it has been getting.
The one plus I did enjoy was the dragons and how there was sort of an art to speaking and connecting to the them. The idea of being able to draw from a dragon's magic and use it to fight only if you have earned their trust that was a very cool idea to explore. It also fit into the mythology of dragons where people have to earn their respect before riding or using their magic. I also liked the marks that the dragons leave on the skin of their riders as sort of a symbol for the humans they chose to put their faith and respect into.
The other parts was where my interest started to wane, the characters in particular were what got me a little bit disinterested. I felt like the main romance was while not rushed I felt like the atmosphere and base of their relationship was too sexual for my taste. There was also another portion that made me feel weird considering the magic and bond of dragons. I didn't like that part and felt like it could have been cut. I just hope that the other books could add some more to these characters, though right now I'm not too sure if they can.
The book didn't go easy on the brutality I will say that but some of the characters didn't have the emotional impact that it would have if we knew more about them. I guess that was the point of it being brutal but still.
I wish I could say more positives about this book but it just didn't do it for me like I thought it would. I don't know if I want to continue this series or just not read the others after this one. If I do I hope it gets better.
The one plus I did enjoy was the dragons and how there was sort of an art to speaking and connecting to the them. The idea of being able to draw from a dragon's magic and use it to fight only if you have earned their trust that was a very cool idea to explore. It also fit into the mythology of dragons where people have to earn their respect before riding or using their magic. I also liked the marks that the dragons leave on the skin of their riders as sort of a symbol for the humans they chose to put their faith and respect into.
The other parts was where my interest started to wane, the characters in particular were what got me a little bit disinterested. I felt like the main romance was while not rushed I felt like the atmosphere and base of their relationship was too sexual for my taste. There was also another portion that made me feel weird considering the magic and bond of dragons. I didn't like that part and felt like it could have been cut. I just hope that the other books could add some more to these characters, though right now I'm not too sure if they can.
The book didn't go easy on the brutality I will say that but some of the characters didn't have the emotional impact that it would have if we knew more about them. I guess that was the point of it being brutal but still.
I wish I could say more positives about this book but it just didn't do it for me like I thought it would. I don't know if I want to continue this series or just not read the others after this one. If I do I hope it gets better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Grief
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
Addictive and couldn’t put the book down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, War
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, War
adventurous
dark
fast-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
Absolutely riveting! The book is paced really well. I love the friendships and camaraderie. Violet is a complex heroine, who works hard to strengthen herself and learn the skills she needs to survive, while also being a compassionate person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Better on the re-read after reading Iron Flame. The first time I thought I struggled because there were editing issues - however, turns out they were intentional hints towards an Iron Flame spoiler.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
My initial response - that it needed more editing was because the first book annoyed me with the repetition. The novel is constantly stating what Violet is she feeling, then Xaden repeats it without Violet verbalising it. Or Xaden will change the conversation in accordance with her thoughts as opposed to what they were supposed to be discussing. It didn't make sense. Additionally, Xanden leads a secret rebellion against an entire kingdom and just happens to confide in - not only a complete stranger, but also the daughter of his enemy. So the fact that Iron Flame revealed that Xaden was a mind reader that could quickly read someone's intentions made SO much more sense.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
This was so fun! Maybe the plot twists were quite predictable, but I got really invested anyway, and couldn't put it down.
I really appreciated that the main heroin is not a damsel in distress and tries her best in a bad situation, allowing herself to change, at the same time having realistic limitations of her abilities and powers.
Loved the tension between the characters from the very beginning.
A really unexpected surprise from this, will definitely read the next one!
I really appreciated that the main heroin is not a damsel in distress and tries her best in a bad situation, allowing herself to change, at the same time having realistic limitations of her abilities and powers.
Loved the tension between the characters from the very beginning.
A really unexpected surprise from this, will definitely read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent