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lanid's review
challenging
dark
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Acephobia/Arophobia, Body horror, Classism, Self harm, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Confinement, and Torture
spookynerd00's review
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Grief
heytherekaity's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Violence
bookcheshirecat's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Self harm, Death, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Acephobia/Arophobia
sunshinestark's review
5.0
If you've been searching for a story with a main character where their sexuality (asexuality to be exact) is not the focus of the story, look no further than this dark fantasy. Linsey Miller fantastically weaves a story about monsters and the potential end of the world with a variety of queer characters that will have you racing through each page. Born into a world where some people are gifted with powers of either creation or destruction through lineage from beings called the Vile or the Noble, Lorena has kept her powers a secret. She is one of the rare few who are gifted with both Vile and Noble powers. After outing herself in order to save someone she loves, Lorena is forced to work with Prince Alistair to stop a sentient door keeping the Vile at bay from opening. The Prince's reputation as cruel and terrifying is well known, but the more Lorena gets to know him, the more she sees there's more to him than the rumors let on. As they become closer and her former relationships are pushed to the breaking edge as secrets are unveiled Lorena must decide what she's willing to sacrifice to save those who most deserve it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Self harm, and Violence
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