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5aru's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Whew. This took a while to read — not the least because I've been on a huge reading slump, but also because I wasn't as invested in the story as I'd hoped. It really picked up near the end, which is why I'm still giving it a good rating, but I do wish it had picked up a little sooner than that.
In truth, my biggest qualm was with the worldbuilding. Though it is solidly done, and the world mythos is quite interesting, there is so much infodumping in this book. The characters are constantly learning new things about the world through chunks of explanation given in dialogue, and though the content is interesting, the scene itself turns out boring, because so much is being told rather than shown through the action. I don't remember Captive Prince doing it nearly as much, but I might be biased...
That's much of what kept me from finishing it as quickly as I would otherwise have, because I was really quite invested in the main quartet of characters. Will, James, Violet and Cyprian were all very well developed, and their relationships feel appropriately nuanced. Katherine and Elizabeth are... okay. They definitely fall short when compared to the rest, probably because their story is barely there in comparison (which works to keep the mystery going, but not to flesh out their characters and make one properly interested). There's also the fact that the relationship between Katherine and Will was rather poorly executed, and Elizabeth hardly there at all — though I expect this will change in future instalments. As for the ending,though I did begin to see the twist coming, I couldn't be mad about it — not when it's as good a twist as this. And I have to say I definitely wouldn't be mad about a pretty corruption arc in the next books, either... The focus is most certainly on Will and James, and I'd quite like it kept there, thank you very much. They share by far the most interesting dynamic, and while it is possible to see echoes of Damen and Laurent in some of their interactions, they are very much their own characters, which is great to see. I'll be looking forward to seeing where Pacat takes the story next.
In truth, my biggest qualm was with the worldbuilding. Though it is solidly done, and the world mythos is quite interesting, there is so much infodumping in this book. The characters are constantly learning new things about the world through chunks of explanation given in dialogue, and though the content is interesting, the scene itself turns out boring, because so much is being told rather than shown through the action. I don't remember Captive Prince doing it nearly as much, but I might be biased...
That's much of what kept me from finishing it as quickly as I would otherwise have, because I was really quite invested in the main quartet of characters. Will, James, Violet and Cyprian were all very well developed, and their relationships feel appropriately nuanced. Katherine and Elizabeth are... okay. They definitely fall short when compared to the rest, probably because their story is barely there in comparison (which works to keep the mystery going, but not to flesh out their characters and make one properly interested). There's also the fact that the relationship between Katherine and Will was rather poorly executed, and Elizabeth hardly there at all — though I expect this will change in future instalments. As for the ending,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Slavery and Child abuse
Minor: Confinement
harmonique's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Gaslighting, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
littletiramisu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Good LORD! The ending just BLEW MY MIND. I need a sequel!! I cannot live without a sequel!!! Omg omg omg!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Torture, Murder, War, and Violence
bugcollector's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
what is this bs
and when is the next one coming out 👹😀
and when is the next one coming out 👹😀
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Torture, Violence, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, and Grief
corin_134340's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Rape
ibjilln's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I don't think I've been more bored reading a book than I have been while reading this one. The narration was so dry 5 chapters felt like 20.
I was so frustrated while reading this, the premise was promising, and there were elements that typically make a great fantasy read for me, but this just wasn't it and I wanted it to be so bad that I kept going. I finished it, unfortunately.
It's been made clear to me after the fact that this is apparently the first installment of a series, but I can guarantee this one is staying in the proverbial grave for me.
I was so frustrated while reading this, the premise was promising, and there were elements that typically make a great fantasy read for me, but this just wasn't it and I wanted it to be so bad that I kept going. I finished it, unfortunately.
It's been made clear to me after the fact that this is apparently the first installment of a series, but I can guarantee this one is staying in the proverbial grave for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Classism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Classism, and Kidnapping
sunsetcity's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Blood, Confinement, War, Violence, Toxic friendship, Torture, Sexism, Murder, and Gaslighting
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Emotional abuse, and Torture
bennoyb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.25
What a twist!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Blood, Genocide, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Incest
thenovelbookshelf's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
This is an epic adventure of a book.
Will was told to run by his mother just before she was killed. Now he has been found. Not just from the bad guys, but by the ones that want to stop darkness from happening.
In a time before anyone can remember there was a fight for everything. Good Vs Evil, Light Vs Dark. The light side only just overpowered the Dark King, but before he died, he vowed to return. The Light has kept vigil through the ages.
Now the Dark King is ready to rise. The Stewards of the Light prepare for battle, and Will must decide what to do. Run or fight.
This story does not disappoint. There is action, adventure, romance, friendship, bravery, death. It takes a bit to get to what happened in the past, but it weaves beautifully into the present (1821).
This is the first of the series.
Will was told to run by his mother just before she was killed. Now he has been found. Not just from the bad guys, but by the ones that want to stop darkness from happening.
In a time before anyone can remember there was a fight for everything. Good Vs Evil, Light Vs Dark. The light side only just overpowered the Dark King, but before he died, he vowed to return. The Light has kept vigil through the ages.
Now the Dark King is ready to rise. The Stewards of the Light prepare for battle, and Will must decide what to do. Run or fight.
This story does not disappoint. There is action, adventure, romance, friendship, bravery, death. It takes a bit to get to what happened in the past, but it weaves beautifully into the present (1821).
This is the first of the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Animal death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Racism