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liv_graceish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
drawde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
marysunburn's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
I HATED Harrowhark when I started, and I am so glad she managed to change my mind.
The worldbuilding was heavy and at times confusing, but the dialogue was engaging and refined and the fight scenes were cinematic.
The worldbuilding was heavy and at times confusing, but the dialogue was engaging and refined and the fight scenes were cinematic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Body horror, Cancer, Classism, Death, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Medical trauma, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, Terminal illness, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Chronic illness, Gore, Medical content, Grief, and Religious bigotry
itst's review against another edition
4.0
I hope for more opportunities to explore Muir’s curious world, full of quirky characters, old stories, and dirty secrets.
inkyun's review against another edition
3.0
It's not a bad book.
It's just not for me.
I didn't hate it, but it did take some effort to not drop it. The descriptions of things were a bit all over the place for me, and I could barely follow along. Granted, that may be my lack of vocabulary. But still, I was pretty much just hoping the story itself would save the writing itself, and it almost did. I was just never invested in any of the characters, and I almost was.
This whole experience was like trying to inhale deeply, and every pull of air left me unsatisfied and with an ache in my lungs. (Asthmatics can relate.) Truly wish I could say more, but that's all there was: empty air.
It's just not for me.
I didn't hate it, but it did take some effort to not drop it. The descriptions of things were a bit all over the place for me, and I could barely follow along. Granted, that may be my lack of vocabulary. But still, I was pretty much just hoping the story itself would save the writing itself, and it almost did. I was just never invested in any of the characters, and I almost was.
This whole experience was like trying to inhale deeply, and every pull of air left me unsatisfied and with an ache in my lungs. (Asthmatics can relate.) Truly wish I could say more, but that's all there was: empty air.
jamo_etc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
The most interesting parts of this story aren't given much focus and instead the focus is an uninteresting magic competition.
Entirely too many characters. I forgot who most characters were shortly after they left the scene. The mystery was lacking as a result.I genuinely forgot the princess was a character when she showed up at the end. Also didn't care for the narrator's voice for her. The reveal of Dulcinea was decent.
The emotional moments are not earned either.I'm not opposed to Gideon+Harrow but the way the book executes it pretty poor and feels forced rather than anything natural.
Gideon as a protagonist varied from childish and annoying to entertaining and witty, so that's a mixed bag.
Overall this seems mostly like wasted potential. I was really on board for the first 20%.
Entirely too many characters. I forgot who most characters were shortly after they left the scene. The mystery was lacking as a result.
The emotional moments are not earned either.
Gideon as a protagonist varied from childish and annoying to entertaining and witty, so that's a mixed bag.
Overall this seems mostly like wasted potential. I was really on board for the first 20%.
st3llz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
jane23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
keyskritiques's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
It took me a while to get into this book. I probably would’ve stopped reading if I hadn’t decided to listen to the audiobook. The narrator was amazing! In the end, I enjoyed it and was entertained. I’m not sure where the next book will go, but I’m willing to try it.
It took me a while to get into this book. I probably would’ve stopped reading if I hadn’t decided to listen to the audiobook. The narrator was amazing! In the end, I enjoyed it and was entertained. I’m not sure where the next book will go, but I’m willing to try it.
vaguewhisperings's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
Thought I knew what was going on, and then completely lost it by the end. Writing is fantastic, and there's so many different layers happening. Made me feel like I was 13 again. One of my favorite books that I read last year.