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pinxsol's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Holy shit. This book was almost too hard to read. I have 3 more books with these characters to go, and yet in the middle of this I was genuinely worried that they were both gonna die. The story is just that well written, the suffering so real that my brain can't even comprehend the obvious, logical conclusion that they're gonna get through this. I had to take so many breaks in between some chapters to clear my head, because some scenes were just that oppressive.
I honestly applaud this book, for how much of a challenge it was. The emotions it put me through, I swear. It's like, the tea is piping hot, but it's the wrong kind of tea and you're choking on it but also kinda hating it and loving it both at the same time.
Traitor's Moon had me by the throat, but this one... has me like that *gestures at Khenir's nethers*
I honestly applaud this book, for how much of a challenge it was. The emotions it put me through, I swear. It's like, the tea is piping hot, but it's the wrong kind of tea and you're choking on it but also kinda hating it and loving it both at the same time.
Traitor's Moon had me by the throat, but this one... has me like that *gestures at Khenir's nethers*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Gaslighting, and Body horror
Moderate: Child death and Sexual assault
the_real_al_cal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow. Okay, so before I started this book, I spoiled myself on some of it by reading the other reviews, and I have to say, I completely agree with the assessments that this book is basically a bunch of different literary tropes in a trenchcoat. But at the same time... I kind of loved it. I thought I would hate it, but where book three in the series took me a month to finish, this one took me three days. I could not put it down.
Don't get me wrong, the tropes are definitely overdone at this point but Flewelling has a way of breathing new life into them through the tactile nature of her world's magic systems. To be honest, sometimes it still put me off and I was originally going to rate this a 3.5 or 4, but the last few pages really brought the entire story together so neatly that I actually gasped at the surprise revelation at the end:Finding out from Magyana that Sebrahn is dragon-like! What does it mean?!
What struck me right away is how much Flewelling's writing style changed between book 3's release in 1999 and book 4's release in 2008. Neither style is bad, and I enjoy both a lot, but it was very noticeable! I would say the earlier three had more of a classically-rosy style similar to Robin Hobb or George R.R. Martin. Book 4's style felt very fluid and was easier for me to read (because my attention span is garbage these days), but perhaps more along the lines of the quick action/short descriptions that a lot of popular authors follow these days. Again, neither is bad, and I inhaled this book all the same.
At the end of the day, I enjoy these stories because I enjoy the characters. They have all come such a long way from book 1, thanks to Flewelling's masterful character development. Where I enjoyed the characters before, now I feel invested in what they will do next.
Don't get me wrong, the tropes are definitely overdone at this point but Flewelling has a way of breathing new life into them through the tactile nature of her world's magic systems. To be honest, sometimes it still put me off and I was originally going to rate this a 3.5 or 4, but the last few pages really brought the entire story together so neatly that I actually gasped at the surprise revelation at the end:
What struck me right away is how much Flewelling's writing style changed between book 3's release in 1999 and book 4's release in 2008. Neither style is bad, and I enjoy both a lot, but it was very noticeable! I would say the earlier three had more of a classically-rosy style similar to Robin Hobb or George R.R. Martin. Book 4's style felt very fluid and was easier for me to read (because my attention span is garbage these days), but perhaps more along the lines of the quick action/short descriptions that a lot of popular authors follow these days. Again, neither is bad, and I inhaled this book all the same.
At the end of the day, I enjoy these stories because I enjoy the characters. They have all come such a long way from book 1, thanks to Flewelling's masterful character development. Where I enjoyed the characters before, now I feel invested in what they will do next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Trafficking
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Excrement, Vomit, and Xenophobia
teargarden's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
this one was miserable to get through but very good still 😵💫 i just want some peace for alec please can i get th- *gunshot sounds*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Vomit, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
ryllio's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Body horror, Confinement, and Torture
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
You can tell almost a decade went by between the previous book and this one was published. There are some continuity mistakes and a time jump where nothing seemed to change.
I liked going into this without reading the summary as it kind of spoils a twist that turns the book's direction. It's darker than the previous ones but not as graphic as Stalking Darkness.
I wouldn't recommend waiting long after Traitor's Moon as some of the characters mentioned there are still relevant. New characters are introduced and some threads are left open for the rest of the saga.
I liked going into this without reading the summary as it kind of spoils a twist that turns the book's direction. It's darker than the previous ones but not as graphic as Stalking Darkness.
I wouldn't recommend waiting long after Traitor's Moon as some of the characters mentioned there are still relevant. New characters are introduced and some threads are left open for the rest of the saga.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Slavery, Rape, Torture, and Trafficking
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Animal death, and Suicide
charlieleelee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
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