Reviews with content warning for Self harm - What We Devour

A MC with a found family and a world in which she holds a dangerous power? What more could I want? The world building in What We Devour is amazing. I loved this idea of a forbidden magic but also this magical door which is the only thing which stands between us and the Vile a force which would spell our doom. It's a multi-faceted world that only gets more intriguing as the story continues.

And throughout What We Devour, our relationship to monstrosity only becomes more complicated. Powers which demand sacrifice, but which become ours by necessity. In a world where our powers and guilt can seal our downfall, What We Devour is about power. How it becomes interwoven with ourselves and also can eat away at ourselves. As Lorena's world expands - and her knowledge of the power within her - she must figure out the power differentials. The ways in which she has always felt so removed from people's perceptions of her.

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canderson's review

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I’m still confused as to what the Noble and Vile are and what the difference between them is… the world building was a bit lacking and I felt like there were inconsistencies and contradictions to plot throughout. Overall, concept was interesting and the last quarter of the book held my interest.

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anniereads221's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

One of my absolute faves of the year

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astralbooks's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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epsyphus's review

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

I struggled a little bit with the way she went about worldbuilding and, I think as a result, with connecting to the characters, but I really liked the magic system. It was a very intriguing concept, plus, the title really piqued my interest and only made me think more about it as I was reading. I think I'll enjoy this more on the reread when I don't feel so stuck in the worldbuilding.

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anapthine's review

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adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Concept was great, I just think it could have been written a bit better. I felt that events just appeared out of nowhere and with no explanation or build up. I was confused what was happening most of the time. However, the inclusion of non-binary and queer characters woven into the storyline was great.

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spookynerd00's review

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

Morally grey protagonists + asexual protagonist + eat the rich + cool magic system + a satisfying ending = a fun read for me

It takes a little time to get into the book, the first few chapters drop a lot of magic system terminology and world lore. Not is a very dumpy way, but you also need some context clues or the ability to glaze over these things until you figure ut out. But once you do, the magic is really cool and you get to watch our cast of characters explore what they can do with it in a lab setting.

The characters are also cool, you can only say a few of them are genuinely good people, but I adore exploring morality and power dynamics. If you read a book and wish your main character would just shut up and kill a few people, this book may be for you.

I loved the depiction of Lorena’s asexuality. Her yearning for understanding and intimacy, both in the form of touch and emotional, is something I highly relate to. Her primary relationship respects this asexuality, and the final act of the book and this relationship ends in a way I find beautiful and very real. I just really loved it I’m not good with words but this relationship made me feel many emotions. It’s also how I think a lot of people would react to the monstrous prince situation, at least the most realistic way I would react so far.

I had to remind myself this is YA though, as the eat-the-rich message, while greatly appreciated, is really in your face. Every chapter there’s a good page of “this is why the rich suck” and I’m like “yes Lorena I know this.” It’s one of those books where you’re explicitly told the social commentary instead of it being laid out in only in broader meanings. I prefer books where I get to make the connections myself instead of a step-by-step guide, but that is just my preference.

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jamielikestoread's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
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

3.5

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