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kathleencoughlin'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? No
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Torture, Car accident, and Eating disorder
Minor: Xenophobia, War, Gaslighting, and Blood
eamily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Car accident
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, War, Violence, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Infidelity
sarahna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The book starts of with Kiem, a scandal ridden prince who's in need of a partner to secure and represent an intergalactic treaty that secures stable relations and peace. Jainan on the other hand is a dutiful diplomat who just lost his husband Taam under mysterious circumstances and gets paired up with Kiem only a month later. As expected, their relationship starts of rocky due to the arranged marriage between them but the mutual pining soon follows and gets resolved in a very angsty slow-burn manner.
Spoilers:
I really enjoyed it and found myself rereading certain pages that highlight the romantic beats between them such as the moment where Jainen had to leave a diplomatic dinner and Kiem went after him worrying that he's not fine but Jainen quickly apologized for embarrassing them to cut a conflict short (showing signs of trauma because of the domestic abuse he had to endure being with Taam). Kiem didn't expect that in the slightest, having thought that he pushed Jainen to far.
p.124:
Jainen realized he'd pressed a finger to his temple. He took it away. "I don't know what you want me to say."
"I don't want you to say anything!" Kiem said. He was pressed against an incongruous row of fur coats behind him. It felt faintly absurd, like they were having an argument in the closet. Taam had never shown this much emotion outside their rooms. "Did I say something wrong at lunch, before you left? If it was anything I said about Thea, and if ther's any way I can fix it-"
"Will you please be clear, Jainan said, his frustration making it come out louder than he meant it to. "I don't. I cant. I can't read your mind. Will you please be clear what it is you want from me."
Because it's so ludicarous that Kiem would possibly care for you beyond your diplomatic relationship... Moments like these just tug at my heartstrings and I loved how caring and understanding Kiem was from the get go which I didn't expect since he was portrayed as this gigolo. Jainen's character was insanely well fleshed out as well and I love how his previous abusive relationship actually scarred him in a way that made sense (loss of self-worth, insecurities etc) and he ended up growing from it once things between him and Kiem were more serious. The relationship with Bel also helped in finding his worth and strength again. Just so well done. Of course the story was tropey at times because it has its roots in fanfiction but that's a good thing in my eyes.
I redacted one star because the latter half switched the focus from the romance onto the very sci-fi heavy mystery surrounding Taam and his death and embezzlement of the military. I wish the focus stayed on one of these things to make it flow more but I liked it overall. I wish we got a few chapters after the story concluded just so they could be happy with each other. Looking forward to the next book by this author which is supposed to be set in the same universe!
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping
yavin_iv's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Torture
Moderate: Alcohol and Blood
Minor: War and Sexual assault
rainbowshelves'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: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Torture, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Violence
Minor: Medical content, Gun violence, and Grief
nillech'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
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Torture, Murder, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, and Blood
Minor: War and Alcohol
axelstudies'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
4.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Torture
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Sexual harassment, and Medical content
irlchaosdemon'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
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
firefly'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
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Blood, Kidnapping, and Medical content
imrereads's review against another edition
4.5
This is essentially a queer space opera. It has quite a heavy political theme, but I felt the balance between that aspect and the interpersonal aspect was done wonderfully.
I love the arranged marriage trope when done right. I'm often sceptical of it in a queer setting, but in this universe it makes perfect sense. I love the diversity in terms of gender and sexuality.
If I have any complaints, it would be that I wish some of thr more tense scenes laster a bit longer. There are also a few time jumps where we skip a week or so, and I wish I had gotten more of the quiet moments in between the drama. There certainly were scenes like that, but I would have loved more.
Overall I thought it was a wonderful book, and I'm sold on the genre. I need more queers in space!!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, and Blood