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jmckendry's review against another edition
4.0
First off, let me just start by saying that I really enjoyed reading this book a lot more than I thought I would. It gave me Game of Thrones vibes (the TV show, not the books, I haven't gotten around to reading those yet so idk how they compare).
That being said, there was a lot of opportunity for the author to explore other facets of the world and of interpersonal relationships that she simply did not go into. For starters, this is a novel with a LOT of characters, and not a single one of them is LGBT+. While I don't think novels NEED to include LGBT+ characters to be good, it was kind of ruined my "suspension of disbelief" when you find out that hundreds of women who are "unwanted" by society are all forced to live in this building together, and not a single one of them has any homosexual feelings or urges, or even a deep spiritual love or connection to the other women who suffered with them. In a society where men treat women so terribly (for the most part) not a single woman thought to be with another woman instead of a man?
As a white, cisgender, pansexual woman, I wasn't really BOTHERED by this, but it did make the world a lot less believable to me and I wish the author had explored those parts of the world a bit more.
I also thought it was weird that the only overweight person in the book is a really awful guy. Like...it's a bit strange. All of the good men in the novel are like perfectly toned and in shape, which I really don't think is fair.
HOWEVER. The world she created was vivid and the way magic works in this world is REALLY COOL. The writing itself was easy to understand and evocative. I could feel what the characters felt, even the bad ones. I am definitely excited to read the next book in the series, the author did a fantastic job with bringing her characters to life, even if the world she built is lacking in some aspects.
That being said, there was a lot of opportunity for the author to explore other facets of the world and of interpersonal relationships that she simply did not go into. For starters, this is a novel with a LOT of characters, and not a single one of them is LGBT+. While I don't think novels NEED to include LGBT+ characters to be good, it was kind of ruined my "suspension of disbelief" when you find out that hundreds of women who are "unwanted" by society are all forced to live in this building together, and not a single one of them has any homosexual feelings or urges, or even a deep spiritual love or connection to the other women who suffered with them. In a society where men treat women so terribly (for the most part) not a single woman thought to be with another woman instead of a man?
As a white, cisgender, pansexual woman, I wasn't really BOTHERED by this, but it did make the world a lot less believable to me and I wish the author had explored those parts of the world a bit more.
I also thought it was weird that the only overweight person in the book is a really awful guy. Like...it's a bit strange. All of the good men in the novel are like perfectly toned and in shape, which I really don't think is fair.
HOWEVER. The world she created was vivid and the way magic works in this world is REALLY COOL. The writing itself was easy to understand and evocative. I could feel what the characters felt, even the bad ones. I am definitely excited to read the next book in the series, the author did a fantastic job with bringing her characters to life, even if the world she built is lacking in some aspects.
thegeekybibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
Wow... what a fantastic book! Hopefully it's not too much of a spoiler to say that the ending was brutal in more ways than one. I was expecting some sort of upheaval, given the circumstances, but this? It was far more devastating than anything I imagined might happen. That event changes everything. Things cannot proceed as I'd thought they would... not after this.
I won't say anything more, other than I'm very much looking forward to reading the second book in the series.
(The above was written immediately after I shelved it as read.)
Highly recommended!
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Del Ray via Netgalley.
I won't say anything more, other than I'm very much looking forward to reading the second book in the series.
(The above was written immediately after I shelved it as read.)
Highly recommended!
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Del Ray via Netgalley.
vesryn's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a little formulaic, but overall pleasant, intriguing, and highly enjoyable. Its pacing was pretty good - on average, I felt compelled to read more than I felt 'ah, this is a little slow' - which, to me, is a success!
I understand what some reviewers meant by it 'bashes you over the head with feminism' but uh...duh? I'm all about that (though I do think the way Glass writes could have been a little zippier and 'tighter' about it, no lies there).
I was surprised by the twist at the end - I didn't think Glass would take it that far but she did and it paid off. I have a feeling this will be the first in at least a trilogy and I'd love to get my hands on that!
I understand what some reviewers meant by it 'bashes you over the head with feminism' but uh...duh? I'm all about that (though I do think the way Glass writes could have been a little zippier and 'tighter' about it, no lies there).
I was surprised by the twist at the end - I didn't think Glass would take it that far but she did and it paid off. I have a feeling this will be the first in at least a trilogy and I'd love to get my hands on that!
jdalton's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this fantasy novel full of equality and feminist power where women get to fight against the patriarchy and make a change in the world.
newwaystodream's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
sunrae17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
lacheri's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 it was a good filler. Interesting plot, I will definitely stay tune for the sequel.
margretjones's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
karireads's review against another edition
The cartoonishly evil villain is, as we are reminded every time he appears, fat. He seems to be the only one in the book who is. Also, it's supposed to be astonishing that a woman could love him. Doesn't she see he is fat?
More serious, to me, is the really trite plot device of a society where only men are allowed to learn magic. I hoped there would be enough virtues in plot, prose, and characters for me to overlook this, but there weren't.
Also, in a world where women are discarded to an abbey and all the rejected women live together, I guarantee you that some of those women will be lovers. This book doesn't seem to even recognize the possibility.
This is just not a book for me.
More serious, to me, is the really trite plot device of a society where only men are allowed to learn magic. I hoped there would be enough virtues in plot, prose, and characters for me to overlook this, but there weren't.
Also, in a world where women are discarded to an abbey and all the rejected women live together, I guarantee you that some of those women will be lovers. This book doesn't seem to even recognize the possibility.
This is just not a book for me.