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blewballoon's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I'm not sure how to rate this because I didn't really have any strong feelings about the book. I had mostly a bland reading experience. Apart from maybe Violet, I didn't feel attached to any of the characters, and that made it harder to care what was going on with them. It felt like I was just skimming the surface level of plot and characters for the most part.
The writing style reminded me of Sabriel by Garth Nix, which is nice, but that style doesn't help when the text is fairly repetitive and the book is mostly predictable.There are several twists towards the very end, but if you know there is a twist and you try at all to predict what it is, you will probably figure them all out long before the characters do. I didn't feel like any of the twists improved my opinion of the book or gave me that "oh I want to re-read now that I know the twist!" type feeling that would re-contextualize the story, and they didn't make me excited for a sequel. It's more that the whole first 90% of the book feels like it was just filler.
I'm trying not to be too harsh, but there really isn't much I liked, despite wanting to like it and having high hopes for it. It has elements that sort of reminded me of other books I do like, but as if I only got the seltzer drink wisp of flavor of the real fruit. I don't even mind when stories are predictable and characters are a bit cliche as long as the book is still immersive and fun to read, but I didn't have much fun with this. I didn't hate it, though. For me, the book was a lot of death and dullness, and it's the combination of sad/bored that risks putting me into a reading slump if I don't find something good to snap me out of it. I will say the audiobook narrator is very good, but I kept speeding the poor man up (I think I finished on 1.6 speed) because I wanted it to be over.
The writing style reminded me of Sabriel by Garth Nix, which is nice, but that style doesn't help when the text is fairly repetitive and the book is mostly predictable.
I'm trying not to be too harsh, but there really isn't much I liked, despite wanting to like it and having high hopes for it. It has elements that sort of reminded me of other books I do like, but as if I only got the seltzer drink wisp of flavor of the real fruit. I don't even mind when stories are predictable and characters are a bit cliche as long as the book is still immersive and fun to read, but I didn't have much fun with this. I didn't hate it, though. For me, the book was a lot of death and dullness, and it's the combination of sad/bored that risks putting me into a reading slump if I don't find something good to snap me out of it. I will say the audiobook narrator is very good, but I kept speeding the poor man up (I think I finished on 1.6 speed) because I wanted it to be over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Torture, War, and Confinement
Minor: Body horror and Child death
pitsikakku's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Slavery
offthecarousel_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Hmm.... this book left me pretty conflicted. I liked the characters, the plot seemed teased throughout the book so things seemed to come along mostly naturally, though a couple things felt a little choatic. Once again, I've stumbled into a book that's probably too dark for me, but I want to trust the author that there will be comfort at some point later in the trilogy (I've read something of theirs before). Based on reviews of the second book though it seems like I'll be waiting for book 3 for that lol. I've tipped it to 4 because I realize I think parts of this book just aren't aimed with me as the audience in mind.
One thing that seemed strange to me were that the events of the book seem cyclical. The main characters would sneak out of the sanctuary to do something dangerous and then go back in. Then they'd sneak out again to do something and go back in. Then, wouldn't you know it, the book ends with a character sneaking out once again. It just felt repetitive when those are the big moments in the book.
The other thing that frustrates me is when a character is one of the main POVs of the book but a good chunk of their thought process is hidden from us because of plot twist reasons. I felt like for Violet's POV, we got a lot of internal thoughts and feelings, but Will's POV was more distant with lots of his thoughts and feelings hidden from the reader. Will's full thoughts are only revealed after he's made a decision or done some action. When that happens I'm very tempted to say, "Just don't have things from his POV then," but... I feel that it's done deliberately so the reader's feelings echo Violet's in the end. It's frustrating for me, and not a stylistic choice I'm a fan of, but it's done fairly well.
That said, I do enjoy a lot of the dialogue between characters and the way their friendships and trust developed. I'm semi-interested in reading the rest of the trilogy.
One thing that seemed strange to me were that the events of the book seem cyclical. The main characters would sneak out of the sanctuary to do something dangerous and then go back in. Then they'd sneak out again to do something and go back in. Then, wouldn't you know it, the book ends with a character sneaking out once again. It just felt repetitive when those are the big moments in the book.
The other thing that frustrates me is when a character is one of the main POVs of the book but a good chunk of their thought process is hidden from us because of plot twist reasons. I felt like for Violet's POV, we got a lot of internal thoughts and feelings, but Will's POV was more distant with lots of his thoughts and feelings hidden from the reader. Will's full thoughts are only revealed after he's made a decision or done some action. When that happens I'm very tempted to say, "Just don't have things from his POV then," but... I feel that it's done deliberately so the reader's feelings echo Violet's in the end. It's frustrating for me, and not a stylistic choice I'm a fan of, but it's done fairly well.
That said, I do enjoy a lot of the dialogue between characters and the way their friendships and trust developed. I'm semi-interested in reading the rest of the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Torture, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Animal death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
Major Character Death is definitely applicable here.smartie_5748's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, Torture, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Animal death and War
nillech'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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Kidnapping, and Torture
Minor: Animal death and Blood
badbud's review
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
4.5
will come write a proper review later i. i need a minute
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Racism
diana_raquel'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
4.75
“I think what people were is less important than what they are. And what people are is less important than what they could be.”
[Moment of fangirling: WHAT WAS THAT ENDING???? ALSO, PACAT, JAMES AND WILL BETTER BE ENDGAME!!]
Look, its very simple: everything Pacat writes, I read! I love every single book! This book is filled with mystery, intrigue and truly unexpected plot-twists. It also has a well-structured plot and well-developed characters. It has everything to be a favorite of mine! And it is! I loved it!
I can't wait for Dark Heir. Totally recommend!
[Moment of fangirling: WHAT WAS THAT ENDING???? ALSO, PACAT, JAMES AND WILL BETTER BE ENDGAME!!]
Look, its very simple: everything Pacat writes, I read! I love every single book! This book is filled with mystery, intrigue and truly unexpected plot-twists. It also has a well-structured plot and well-developed characters. It has everything to be a favorite of mine! And it is! I loved it!
I can't wait for Dark Heir. Totally recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Child abuse, Torture, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Genocide, Death of parent, War, and Violence
spooderman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, Classism, Murder, Emotional abuse, Blood, Violence, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Confinement, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Pedophilia, Xenophobia, Racism, Trafficking, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexism, Infidelity, Incest, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual assault, Self harm, Slavery, Outing, Child death, Child abuse, and Abandonment
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
This book broke me. So if this sounds appealing to you, and you read it based on my review, please don't complain afterwards.
The start was very promising, but then there was a lot of world building and getting to know characters for like 30-50% of the book. Enough action and plot twists to keep me interested, but also very few bread crumbs of what I really wanted to read about to make me impatient. The second half is just a wild ride.
It is supposed to be YA and I recognize the typical tropes coming with a YA fantasy books. But most of them have a spin or are resolved in a new way, which I really loved. You expect things to happen, and then they do happen, but in unexpected ways to mess with your head. In fact, I truly believe, the author just wrote this book to mess with my head specifically. Especially with the ending, which makes me question everything I thought I knew about myself.
Anyway, this book also seems a little too brutal for YA? The stakes are definitely higher than usual, and the author isn't afraid of showing it.
The world building is interesting, and the mysteries are intriguing, but what I loved the most were the intense and intimate scenes between the characters. I held my breath so many times I lost count, tbh. Thank goodness, the sequel is coming out next month. Can't wait to get my heart ripped out and trampled on again.
The start was very promising, but then there was a lot of world building and getting to know characters for like 30-50% of the book. Enough action and plot twists to keep me interested, but also very few bread crumbs of what I really wanted to read about to make me impatient. The second half is just a wild ride.
It is supposed to be YA and I recognize the typical tropes coming with a YA fantasy books. But most of them have a spin or are resolved in a new way, which I really loved. You expect things to happen, and then they do happen, but in unexpected ways to mess with your head. In fact, I truly believe, the author just wrote this book to mess with my head specifically. Especially with the ending, which makes me question everything I thought I knew about myself.
Anyway, this book also seems a little too brutal for YA? The stakes are definitely higher than usual, and the author isn't afraid of showing it.
The world building is interesting, and the mysteries are intriguing, but what I loved the most were the intense and intimate scenes between the characters. I held my breath so many times I lost count, tbh. Thank goodness, the sequel is coming out next month. Can't wait to get my heart ripped out and trampled on again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, and Violence
xiggy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Torture, and Toxic relationship