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bripepper'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
5.0
Sciona, a prodigy in mapping spells, becomes the first woman in a century to join the High Magistry. With only one fellow Highmage in her corner she is tasked with developing a city expansion method to compete against the entries of her favored male counterparts. When given a janitor as her academic assistant, Sciona must persevere to truly prove herself against all odds. This requires catching her assigned lowly Kwen up to speed on the basics of reading, organizing, and mechanics of siphoning. As the deadline draws nearer and she spends more time alongside Thomil, her idyllic world view is directly challenged by his life experiences. Sciona must grapple with the downfall of her picturesque dreams coming true and make a decision that will change Tiran forever.
This was one of the more detailed and unique magical realism settings I’ve read. The industrial, dark academic city against the snowy mountain ranges jumped off the page. The spellograph and magic system were very well described to the audience. I felt I could probably create my own mapping and spell web after reading. The character development and interactions gave me a lot to think about. I would recommend this as a strong fantasy standalone with heavy themes that make you reflect on real world systems.
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry
bluuj2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While’s it’s certainly not the same world/setting, there are laws of alchemy such as you can’t create something from nothing. So the law of equivalent exchange reigns supreme and this has a unique take on how this is achieved.
Wang has a way of entrancing me in her writing and world building. It’s excellent detail but not too much that you’re overwhelmed. At times, the dialogue/debate pieces were a bit too lengthy for my taste, but I understand why they were included. This truly was the only thing keeping it from a solid 5/5 for me. (Which I actually had 4.75 but I think it’s more like a 4.9, so a 5/5 it is!)
I finished this book with a week and that’s uncommon for me, so it speaks to the greatness of this book and characters in it! 10/10 recommend!
Moderate: Cursing, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Minor: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Rape, and Vomit
the_library_of_mary'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
Sciona, our FMC, starts the story being very " i'm not like other girls" in an academic magical setting. The society is DEEPLY misogynistic and she is constantly being talked down to and restricted. You start the story rooting for her, even though she is incredibly self-centered and borderline narcistic because you want her to prove all these men wrong. As she proves herself and begins interacting with Thomil, her world views are challenged. She them becomes insufferable( but in a good way as a reader) as she is forced to really look at her racist society and her own racist beliefs. She reminds me of the specific "white feminist" viewpoint where you are focused on your own well being and rights, but not those around you.
There is some romance, but eh, I really wouldn't consider that a focal point of the story. I thought that Thomil and Sciona's relationship was interesting regardless of the romance. This book has characters constantly challenging each other, and thats what I enjoyed about their scenes.
If you enjoy dark academia, interesting magic systems, and challenging ideals, here you go.
I'm happy that Sciona died in the end, not because I necessarily wanted her to die, but because the end of the book has her character transforming into someone that tries to be selfless. If she had been miraculously saved in the end, I think it would have taken away from her promises and words to Thomil.
Graphic: Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Classism
lexihworth'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
This is one of the darkest stories I️ have ever read. It is also one of the most masterful works of storytelling I️ have ever read.pierrereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death, Slavery, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
quietabyss'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
spatterson7's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Genocide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Gun violence, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lcampbell1003'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
Moderate: Genocide, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
ktbelliss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
because it did lose momentum a bit around 70% of the way through, but the ending was still satisfying (in a way). Would definitely recommend!
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Classism
Moderate: Rape and Suicide
Minor: Infertility
Contains a single sexual assault/attempted rape scene and mention of other women previously raped by the assailant.gennfos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment