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clockworkbook's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 - I love this series. Powerful themes and beautifully written. I would have rated this 5 stars, except the beginning was a bit slow.
guardyourhonor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Technically not much happened and the slow burn is not yet burnt, but I still really enjoyed it. I could critique some things (pace, one dimensional characters) but honestly none of it took away from my enjoyment of the book.
jaide_monroe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Finally finished this. Took me more than a month, but I can’t entirely blame the book for that (life got busy); although it did get a bit dry with all of the politics, but for this story, that was necessary.
If I’d have had more time to dedicate to this book, the rating would’ve been higher. I think I’ll take a bit of a break from this series and wait until I have more time to easily digest this story.
If I’d have had more time to dedicate to this book, the rating would’ve been higher. I think I’ll take a bit of a break from this series and wait until I have more time to easily digest this story.
emilav's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
sjvind7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
(Again, no original review, so these notes are from my Dec 2023 re-read.)
I enjoy this series, even as it stresses me out. The stress is just from good storytelling with legitimately scary possibilities looming, and awful things happening to our characters...or scary near-misses (but in a way justified by the story, not gratuitous bullshit).
Ellie is coming into her own, though she's been compelled to be afraid of her magic ... both literally (a weave cast on her as an infant, to hide her magic from the bad guys) and by her adoptive mother (she's a religious zealot asshole who equates all magic with evil). It means the parts where she's wobbly about it are justified, even if they are annoying. But it also means seeing her slowly embrace all that she is is a really gratifying story.
Some heartbreaking stuff happens in this book (hence the stress), so have some kleenex at hand.
Also, in case it isn't obvious from the "religious zealot asshole" comment above, I hate her mother. Nothing justifies what she does, how she acts, or what she brings about. Fuck her. Additionally, fuck the Celierians, across the board. They deserve what's coming, especially with their bitch of a queen doing her best to make things worse.
Anyway, enjoying the re-read of this one.
I enjoy this series, even as it stresses me out. The stress is just from good storytelling with legitimately scary possibilities looming, and awful things happening to our characters...or scary near-misses (but in a way justified by the story, not gratuitous bullshit).
Ellie is coming into her own, though she's been compelled to be afraid of her magic ... both literally (a weave cast on her as an infant, to hide her magic from the bad guys) and by her adoptive mother (she's a religious zealot asshole who equates all magic with evil). It means the parts where she's wobbly about it are justified, even if they are annoying. But it also means seeing her slowly embrace all that she is is a really gratifying story.
Some heartbreaking stuff happens in this book (hence the stress), so have some kleenex at hand.
Also, in case it isn't obvious from the "religious zealot asshole" comment above, I hate her mother. Nothing justifies what she does, how she acts, or what she brings about. Fuck her.
Spoiler
I'm glad she's gone, because there is no way she could have survived that shitshow and been part of Ellie's life without me shitcanning the series. You don't forgive and embrace someone who is so fucking racist and holier-than-thou that they willingly set you up for torture. She's a bitch, and her death trying to help stop the horror she caused is the only fucking thing that wipes that slate clean.Anyway, enjoying the re-read of this one.
mnwild32's review
3.75
I want to like this series because I feel so many current romantasies are based on this, but I'm struggling to be invested. The fmc feels so young to me (audio narrator could be to blame, or the Costigan use of mama), and it's hard to keep all the characters and new words straight.
moonlightfog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
ashley_bitton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
krstnpck's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
4.25