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nineinchnails's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Grief, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Incest
inkdrinkers'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
Technically a prequel to Zodiac Academy (and set during Ruthless Boys), this short follows Darius at fourteen having his early Awakening, and the fateful night Lance Orion lost his future.
This was TOUGH to read after just finishing seven. I won't lie, it was a little like willingly stabbing myself with multiple swords, but I'm really glad I picked this up. I was already curious about this (because we get details, but not much in the grand scheme of things) from the main series, but I really enjoyed how succinctly it spanned the "true beginning" of the series.
I would highly recommend only reading this after getting through book four/book five! I think it made the reading experience better knowing certain plot points.
Content warnings: Child abuse/physical abuse (on page), Death, Incest (mentioned in arranged marriage), Confinement, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia/abuse of power (brief mention)
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Incest and Pedophilia
hannahwriightt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Confinement, Incest, and Injury/Injury detail
briochebun's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Violence, Death, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Body shaming
Moderate: Incest
crinkledmochi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
another thing that frustrated me about this prequel was that we learned so much yet so very little. most of what i read towards the end was a big question mark.
on to the positives:
this was way more refreshing i guess since there wasn’t a huge romance focus and a bit more lore/backstory so i really appreciate that
the stakes in this felt high even thou you know the characters are gonna be fine, i wish book one read more like this as it felt more of a large info dump
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Self harm, and Torture
Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Incest, and Misogyny
Minor: Pedophilia