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aed2655'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
4.0
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Blood, War, and Classism
bakeybeans'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
5.0
Immediately after finishing the book I feel it’s 5*.
The plot is steady and things are revealed at a good pace to keep it engaging but nothing is revealed too soon. The way the characters search and find answers feels natural. I didn’t really experience a lull in the story. There were parts that felt like context for the characters but later in the story you realise it was foreshadowing or helps answer a question.
The pace definitely speeds up through the story, but reflects the story and as the urgency the characters face in the story increases the pace matches.
I liked the use of common phrases throughout the book which felt out of place at first but as you learn more I felt it fed into the theme of history repeating and civilisations rising and falling, leaving lasting memories despite the source being unknown.
The switching narratives helps develop the theme of history and knowledge twisting throughout history. I found the narratives blended well, with one sometimes offering answers to the other. The narratives also felt distinct to me, I felt the self-assuredness in Livira . With the pace of her opening chapters being slower but speeding up as her thirst for answers and knowledge increased. Opposed to the more cautious and careful approach from Evar.
It feels like a story written by someone who loves books, stories and libraries. The plot follows the characters but there is an underlying thread of this running throughout.
It made me think about how much I love books and how important they are.
Not only as we read them but what they will teach the people who come long after us. It made me appreciate books/libraries as portals to the past and possible futures. It created a feeling that books are special and the words within them hold a universe within the story.
Is it a perfect book, no. No one book ever could be. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and ordered the sequel when I realised how close I was to the end as I’m not ready to let the story finish.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
dkamada's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, Slavery, Blood, Violence, Classism, Death, Xenophobia, Grief, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Self harm
peregrinwho's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Everything I thought was set up for a specific pay-off later was indeed paid off. It gave me so much joy to see the story unwinding to those points and being able to scream, "yes! I was right!" as characters solved the mysteries. A satisfying story with a fun journey. I laughed, I cried, I sat staring at the wall contemplating some of the author's words like a nexus point as the world turned around me. Can't wait to follow these characters into the next book💜.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
Minor: War and Slavery
theaceofpages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A library seems like a great place to hunker down with all that's going on in the outside world. Especially one this large and magical.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: War
Minor: Classism and Racism
dani_reis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Most definitely the best book of 2023.
I am undone knowing this is an unfinished series--and would do anything to reread this for the first time all over again.
Audio ch 41 I think restarted near the end. If you encounter that chapter: skip to about 7 min left and you'll be where you need to.
Graphic: Confinement, Religious bigotry, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
Minor: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Slavery
wrendezvoused's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Grief, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, War, and Violence
sophieamreacher'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Murder, War, Blood, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Violence