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maggiekms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
if_books_be_the_food_of_love's review against another edition
Didn’t grip me in the first few pages. World building wasn’t quite there
kamomo's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the premise of this book quite a lot. I thought the setting of a fantasy land controlled by military dictatorship that took over from a corrupt and venial elite was interesting, especially since it neither condemned nor praised the current regime. So many fantasy books involve a rebellion against a corrupt empire, so it was kind of refreshing to have a different and more complex take on that trope. The main character was likable. However, I found the romance rather sudden and one-dimensional (though entirely predictable).
millifis's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
eberlin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
verihapunkt's review against another edition
2.0
Also das war enttäuschend. Dnf at 85%, ich mag einfach nicht mehr. Das Buch ist absolut nicht character driven, was aber nicht das Hauptproblem ist. Es ist einfach flach erzählt und überhaupt nicht spannend. Schade. Nächstes Buch.. :)
allivenger's review against another edition
5.0
"Everyone makes choices in life. Some bad, some good. It's called living, and if you want to bow out, the go right ahead. But don't do it halfway. Don't linger in whiner's limbo."
I listened to this as an audiobook and it was SO GOOD. I can't accurately explain why it was so good but between the story and the author's voice for her characters it was a fantastic book. It might not be for everyone with it's flowery descriptions but I enjoyed that in this book.
Yelena is bound to be executed, as her world allows no other sentence for killing someone but death. But when the time comes for her to die she is offered a different choice instead: live and become the food taster of The Commander. Not wanting to die she jumps at the chance, hoping to one day be free of all of this. But it comes with a catch. Valek, the Commander's chief of security, gives her a poison to keep her in line. Because if she does not get the antidote to the poison every day..she will die.
This was filled with magic and political intrigue, both of which Yelena must move around or face death. For, on top of everything else, The Commander does not tolerate those with magic. But those with magic want Yelena. But even they do not have a cure for the poison she was fed that first day. So she must wait, and plot, until her freedom no longer makes sense in the scheme of her life. She must work with her enemies to figure out what the rebels have in store for Ixia. Or die trying.
If you like political intrigue in the setting of magic and poisons with a strong and cleaver main female lead then this book is for you. I enjoyed every minute of listening to it and I loved both Yelena and Valek. I can't wait to read the next book.
I listened to this as an audiobook and it was SO GOOD. I can't accurately explain why it was so good but between the story and the author's voice for her characters it was a fantastic book. It might not be for everyone with it's flowery descriptions but I enjoyed that in this book.
Yelena is bound to be executed, as her world allows no other sentence for killing someone but death. But when the time comes for her to die she is offered a different choice instead: live and become the food taster of The Commander. Not wanting to die she jumps at the chance, hoping to one day be free of all of this. But it comes with a catch. Valek, the Commander's chief of security, gives her a poison to keep her in line. Because if she does not get the antidote to the poison every day..she will die.
This was filled with magic and political intrigue, both of which Yelena must move around or face death. For, on top of everything else, The Commander does not tolerate those with magic. But those with magic want Yelena. But even they do not have a cure for the poison she was fed that first day. So she must wait, and plot, until her freedom no longer makes sense in the scheme of her life. She must work with her enemies to figure out what the rebels have in store for Ixia. Or die trying.
If you like political intrigue in the setting of magic and poisons with a strong and cleaver main female lead then this book is for you. I enjoyed every minute of listening to it and I loved both Yelena and Valek. I can't wait to read the next book.
peachypqstry's review against another edition
3.0
Oof, so, this was really weird.
I mean, the plot was good, but it kind of bored me a lot. And the romance had almost no build-up
3/5
I mean, the plot was good, but it kind of bored me a lot. And the romance had almost no build-up
3/5
narcissia's review against another edition
5.0
I really like the premise of the story, the characters and the dynamics of their relationships. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book.