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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
was highly recommended, but I found myself very frustrated and disappointed with it. Jude was constantly making wildly impulsive choices and ignoring what was right in front of her. I found the scene with the fairy fruit extremely uncomfortable, and the trauma just kept hitting after that! I found the twists predictable, and the love interest was just kind of shitty. The "romance" did not feel earned at all, it felt like the main character just did a total 180 switch for no reason. I will not be continuing this series.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
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:
N/A
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't lie, I went into this expecting heavy romance, but the romance is like a very small part. Barely there. That's my bad. I listened to the tiktok girlies too much on this one. (Spoiler-heavy review incoming)
But that being said about the romance, I think this book would work just as well or even better without the romance. I can forgive the Locke subplot here, but Cadan? Did we need that? I didn't need Cadan to be into her, not for them to have some sort of romantic tension between them. It would work just as well if they simply joined forces for personal gain. Perhaps it's because her betrayal hits harder that way, but they've been barely friendly (and I'm being generous with the word "friendly") long enough for me to think they won't actually betray each other. One more thing about Cadan; it takes perhaps 80% of this book before we get a real conversation between these two. I do not care about the relationship between them, platonic or romantic or simply professional. I don't even care about Cadan. None of it matters, really. It simply happens too late in the book. For most of it, he is a cruel bully. Really, the reveal that he (in part, at least) bullies her because he's attracted to her is almost insulting. We can leave it at his racism and end it there. I suppose his attraction to her is also part of the racism, so I can't be too mad about it, but the way she almost seems attracted to him as well? I could do without. There's no reason for her to be. I think it actually damages Jude's character, and I'm not somebody who hates enemies to lovers or the bully/victim couple. I have no issues with all that, but Cadan does not change from beginning to end, so there's no real reason for Jude to treat him differently or see him in a new light. (Btw I know she's not like in love with him. She doesn't even really like him, but the kiss that kick starts their partnership felt unnecessary to me. It would be fine, good, if she did solely to manipulate him, but it doesn't read that way.) BUT the romance is such a small part of this story that I can actually forgive it. Whatever. Its barely a romance at all. She, at most, thinks he's hot lol
Anyway, onto the important stuff. First: Jude. I like Jude. I think with a lot of YA, the protagonist is ill-defined, or they are described as having certain traits without actually exhibiting those traits at all, but Jude isn't like that. Jude actually is a very confused character. I still really like her because I think it makes sense like 90% of the time, but she changes her mind like a girl changes clothes. (Also, she states that she is a good spy like several times in this book; is she? Is she a good spy? I mean, she's not bad. There are worse spies, for sure, but is she good? Like what are her accomplishments?) But overall, in the beginning, Jude seems more concerned with proving herself than anything. Because she is never seen as an equal, she is constantly struggling to either be bett5rhan them, or eventually, being worse. At some point, she accepts she is different than the faeries and they will never see her as one of them. I think this was the most interesting part of her character and I don't mind that her goals or attitude about it shift throughout the book.
I think her relationship with Maddock could be better. I found it weird that she eventually went on to Not Hating him. He murdered your mom in front of you? I know Maddock is sincere in his love for his children and I don't mind that sort of complex, maybe even oxymoronic, duality to his character. But Jude's reaction to it feels weird. Has she lived with him for years but only now decided to talk about this? She suddenly had a change of heart? I logistically understand how we got to that point, but it felt like it softened Jude's character.
I think her relationship with Maddock could be better. I found it weird that she eventually went on to Not Hating him. He murdered your mom in front of you? I know Maddock is sincere in his love for his children and I don't mind that sort of complex, maybe even oxymoronic, duality to his character. But Jude's reaction to it feels weird. Has she lived with him for years but only now decided to talk about this? She suddenly had a change of heart? I logistically understand how we got to that point, but it felt like it softened Jude's character.
By far, the most interesting relationship we have is with Jude and Dain. I loved this duo. I loved that they could never fully trust each other. I like that she still held some loyalty to him, even post-death, up until she decided he's evil. I mean, I never trusted or liked Dain, but I did enjoy seeing these two interact.
Jude and Tyron ALMOST have an interesting relationship. It is, in the beginning, but I think it's sort of ruined with the Locke thing. I didn't care for that subplot at all. There are other ways, more interesting ways I think, to create conflict between these two. It's even set up from the beginning that Tyron is treated differently despite the same mortal status she has, so to just have it be a cheating subplot? Like, okay I guess. Whatever. Ruined a perfectly good character. Its fine. Vivian; honestly, she's just cool. I don't have much to say about her. She's fine, but I won't say the dynamic she has with Jude is interesting.
The real issue is maybe that the pacing is sorta wild here. The first half spends a good amount of time just examining Jude and really taking it's time, only for it to really kick up at around 70% of the way through. I know a lot of things happen at that point, but it felt sorta jarring. It almost felt like I was reading a different book.
Anyway. Idk. I really enjoyed the first half of this book (it seems like a lot of people actually hated the beginning bc it was slow, but it was my favorite part 🫣) I enjoyed a lot of parts of this book. But I'm not really sure it's excellent in any way. So many things happen in this book and I feel like 30% could be cut out. It was okay. I liked it. Im not usually a fantasy enjoyer, but that's because I feel the world are too big. I never felt that way here because it's the kind of setting that is a fantasy realm that is like a secret from the mortal "real world". It focuses on Jude a lot, and I really appreciate that. Apparently some people didn't like her. I do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Murder
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Compelled me!
adventurous
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
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot