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summzies's review against another edition
5.0
Love love loveddddd this, honestly I am always impressed with Ausma's books, her mystery series has been an excellent read and covered some super relevant real world topics (that are often overlooked) in a very digestible way without compromising the plot arc/character development. But wow, The Bloodprint was phenomenal, fantasy has a special place in my heart and this hit the spot. Definitely recommend going into this book blind, read the synopsis and agonize over reviews if that's your thing, but this one is a fun read without a preview! Can't wait for more, props to the author!
jess_segraves's review against another edition
1.0
So... I clearly did not love this book. I was really excited about the premise but it fell incredibly flat for me.
Some of the problems:
- Not enough character development. The way the characters are written, it's very hard to connect with them. That's especially problematic since you're supposed to be rooting for the protagonist Arian and her band of cohorts on a perilous quest.
- Too much telling via stilted dialogue.
- Too many new places, things, and philosophies. While being dropped in media res isn't a bad thing, it is if it leads to confusion.
MINOR SPOILERS
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Arian is so beautiful that no man can resist her. Sinnia and Arian are supposed to have this partner-level connection, which I did not glean at all from how Sinnia and Arian's relationship was described. Sinnia also ends up as this secondary POC who Arian frequently either forgets or ignores.
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To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. I wanted to love this book but as time went on, I felt more frustrated by what wasn't happening than by what was.
Some of the problems:
- Not enough character development. The way the characters are written, it's very hard to connect with them. That's especially problematic since you're supposed to be rooting for the protagonist Arian and her band of cohorts on a perilous quest.
- Too much telling via stilted dialogue.
- Too many new places, things, and philosophies. While being dropped in media res isn't a bad thing, it is if it leads to confusion.
MINOR SPOILERS
.
.
.
.
.
Arian is so beautiful that no man can resist her. Sinnia and Arian are supposed to have this partner-level connection, which I did not glean at all from how Sinnia and Arian's relationship was described. Sinnia also ends up as this secondary POC who Arian frequently either forgets or ignores.
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To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. I wanted to love this book but as time went on, I felt more frustrated by what wasn't happening than by what was.
codyleigh's review against another edition
LOVED THIS BOOK! SO SO GOOD *Review to come*
aimee632's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
amyjoy's review against another edition
2.0
Ugghhh, I wanted to like this SO MUCH MORE than I actually did. First, I am not a huge fan of Epic Fantasy, which this is, with all the cultures and people and politics and relationships and religion that goes with it. A lot of it felt needlessly confusing and just Too Much. I do really like the non-Western setting, and the powerful, smart heroine, but a lot of the world building just didn't do it for me.
The story started to really pick up towards the end, and was very action packed (FINALLY!), but then it ended on a MAJOR cliffhanger.
I think this a well written book, but it wasn't for me.
The story started to really pick up towards the end, and was very action packed (FINALLY!), but then it ended on a MAJOR cliffhanger.
I think this a well written book, but it wasn't for me.
ginnad's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. Really struggled with this one, as I wanted to like it. But the characters just didn't engage me, and they didn't seem to behave or interact like actual human beings.
It also seemed way too much like a video game, with the various quests and challenges. Start by saving the slaves, rescuing the boy. Travel to city, get cloak (first enlist help of old lover, who is randomly running a bar, and somehow she knew that?).
The Bloodprint quest just boggled my mind with its various challenges. (A tower that destroys itself after you figure out the puzzle!) I kept putting the book aside, then forcing myself to come back to it. Eventually this just seemed to be a waste of time.
It also seemed way too much like a video game, with the various quests and challenges. Start by saving the slaves, rescuing the boy. Travel to city, get cloak (first enlist help of old lover, who is randomly running a bar, and somehow she knew that?).
The Bloodprint quest just boggled my mind with its various challenges. (A tower that destroys itself after you figure out the puzzle!) I kept putting the book aside, then forcing myself to come back to it. Eventually this just seemed to be a waste of time.
anatomydetective's review against another edition
1.0
This was a painful slog, even though on the surface it was completely up my alley. I found the characters flat, the plot interesting but meandering, and the pacing absolutely terrible. I will not be wasting my time on the sequel. The best thing that could possibly happen in this series is its end.
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
2.5
I wanted to love this book but the pacing didn't work for me and while the world created was vivid there wasn't enough explanation to the worldbuilding. There was also a very problematic ableist trope used for one of the villain characters (see content warnings if you would like to know what it was) and this took the book down a star for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Ableism, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
ryan_dm's review against another edition
3.0
A generic fantasy novel with a South West Asian setting. Book burning and the oppression of women as per. Doesn't have an ending to be read as a standalone.
2 and a half stars rounded up.
2 and a half stars rounded up.
songbirdz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.0