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anna_geyer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book. The plot and magic system are pretty simple and straightforward, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I love Schwab’s writing, even when it’s fast paced it’s lyrical and she paints beautiful pictures without dragging on.
Overall it’s a fun book, I’ll definitely continue the series.
Overall it’s a fun book, I’ll definitely continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Sexism, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
zannayo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was written well enough and had a lot of potential. I liked it less as I kept reading it though, most of the characters grated on me quite a bit. I'm a sucker for meaningful bonds between characters and there just wasn't any of that here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism
mikuriina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
this book is lacking in characters. there are a few named figures who have enough relevance to feel like they exist, but the rest are there to serve the plot and die immediately after with very little personality to show for it
i really liked lila -- i have a major soft spot for masculine women, especially when they're deeply flawed. kell was alright but i felt kind of annoyed by him because i thought rhy and holland were far more intriguing but they barely got to be fleshed out. the villains were nothing
i'll probably give the second book a shot because i did enjoy the writing (when the plot picked up), i just hope the characters beyond lila and kell are given some more attention
also, anyone who tells you this is an lgbt book is a fraud! there is one lgbt character whose sexuality is alluded to at the beginning of the book and never comes up again, it's barely anything. i got my hopes up before being hit in the face with straight romance teases
i really liked lila -- i have a major soft spot for masculine women, especially when they're deeply flawed. kell was alright but i felt kind of annoyed by him because i thought rhy and holland were far more intriguing but they barely got to be fleshed out. the villains were nothing
i'll probably give the second book a shot because i did enjoy the writing (when the plot picked up), i just hope the characters beyond lila and kell are given some more attention
also, anyone who tells you this is an lgbt book is a fraud! there is one lgbt character whose sexuality is alluded to at the beginning of the book and never comes up again, it's barely anything. i got my hopes up before being hit in the face with straight romance teases
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
12dejamoo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Nothing really happened in this book, but not in an 'ooh it's character driven it's just quirky' way, more in a massive build-up for absolutely no payoff. And Lila is one of the most insanely irritating characters I've ever encountered. Kell is constantly telling her that he knows more than her about the magic stuff (which he obviously does) and she just blatantly ignores him. Also she decides to lowkey sexually harass him on their second meeting and it's really glossed over (???????).
This book does win on concept but I think the execution wasn't anything to write home about. Every time a funny/interesting/fun side character was introduced, they were either killed off or disappear from the story, or just end up being such background characters they may as well not be there. Even Kell is kind of just a boring character - where is the book about Rhy's antics because I'd rather read that than this.
This book does win on concept but I think the execution wasn't anything to write home about. Every time a funny/interesting/fun side character was introduced, they were either killed off or disappear from the story, or just end up being such background characters they may as well not be there. Even Kell is kind of just a boring character - where is the book about Rhy's antics because I'd rather read that than this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment
saurahsaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, Slavery, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture and Abandonment
A short note regarding the sexual violence:jenniferpalmblad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Classism
renreadsfantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
i enjoyed this book and i do think i'll read the sequels but there's a lot that i wish it handled better. it takes a while to get going and didn't really grab me until halfway through. and then there's the misogyny 😭. the treatment of lila just left a bad taste in my mouth. i really don't understand introducing her by showing an attempted rape and having every character imply sexual advances towards her if there's never any discussion of it or growth from it. i just don't know what purpose that served. I also found it frustrating that her gender non conformity was constantly faced with trying to pass / people seeing through it and realizing she was "actually" a girl. i really think this book was fun and adventurous i just think lila deserved better than the way she was written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
radiocryptid's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This story feels a lot simpler than how many words it took to tell. Could have been cut down 100 pages but good nonetheless. Very interesting world but mediocre characters
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, and Sexual harassment
livreaderlife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
It was a delight to enter this magical world. I'm a sucker for portal fantasy and this setting explores three different worlds: White London, Red London, and Grey London. The characters all have distinct personalities, and they all piqued my interest from the start. Lila, Kell, and Rhy in particular make themselves stand out on the page. Lila and Kell have incredibly contrasting upbringings and there is a lot of social commentary pertaining to growing up with privilege and how that changes your outlook on things. Despite his more privileged upbringing, Kell still feels like an outsider in many ways. He has been blessed with the magic of a dying breed and has the love and support of his adoptive brother and parents. Still, he feels that the love his family has for him is conditional. This makes for very interesting character development for him as the stakes in the story get higher. Lila on the other hand, has never belonged and has been forced by circumstances to learn how to survive the world on her own. This makes her a great foil to Kell. She is one of the few people who treat him like an equal (other than his brother) and she consistently challenges him. It makes for a lot of interesting development in their relationship from strangers to friends. The villains aren't too far behind are incredibly memorable as well.
Additionally, the contrast between each London was palpable. For the scenes set in Red London you could feel the magic in the atmosphere. Grey London felt just as dull as Red London was vibrant. White London felt dangerous, imitating the tension I feel while watching a horror film. The descriptions really added to the reading experience and made it incredibly easy to differentiate the different Londons.
Overall, this book and world were fun, interesting, and made me want to keep reading. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series, especially knowing that Schwab is currently working on more sequels. If you enjoy portal fantasies with interesting characters and great world building I would definitely recommend this one.
Additionally, the contrast between each London was palpable. For the scenes set in Red London you could feel the magic in the atmosphere. Grey London felt just as dull as Red London was vibrant. White London felt dangerous, imitating the tension I feel while watching a horror film. The descriptions really added to the reading experience and made it incredibly easy to differentiate the different Londons.
Overall, this book and world were fun, interesting, and made me want to keep reading. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series, especially knowing that Schwab is currently working on more sequels. If you enjoy portal fantasies with interesting characters and great world building I would definitely recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, and Sexual harassment