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mngwa's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Dysphoria, Bullying, Death of parent, Suicide, Confinement, Child death, Grief, Murder, and Body horror
sharron_joy_reads's review against another edition
- 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 a techno gothic sci-fi murder mystery horror story and it is incredible. It is fantasy but the world building is shared as the story is told, it leaves the intricacies of this world to the reader to decipher, this is quite common in sci-fi , not so much in fantasy. I loved this as it enabled me to construct the world bit by bit in my head like a puzzle and I love puzzles! There are a lot of characters but they are all listed at the front if you get lost and after a while they are easy to remember.
The magic systems in this are gloriously gothic, living skeletons from fragments of dust, constructs of bone, flesh and sinew, it is so visceral! The solar system they are in is fuelled by the power of death and the energy of life.
Gideon is a hell of a woman, acerbic and irreverent, her contemptuous relationship with Harrow, who has tormented her since they were children, is vicious from both sides but with a rich vein of dark humour. I loved them both!
It is a murder mystery in a crumbling gothic mansion. It is Medieval knights on a quest, loyalty and fealty to one’s House, duty and honour. It is powerful sorcery using blood, bones and magic. It is trials to the death and solving the clues to find the key. It is a remarkable read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
jillian8's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Gore, Toxic friendship, Violence, Body horror, Child death, and Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
Minor: Genocide, Cannibalism, and Child abuse
lmaloney's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Violence, Terminal illness, Physical abuse, Vomit, Torture, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, War, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Child death
erinoco's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Cancer, Terminal illness, Suicide, Medical content, and Medical trauma
amsswim's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
I have a weird relationship with multi-book series, regarding if the story of a book is self contained with individual books in the series. I tend to like every book to a have a fully contained plot which, without spoilers, this book does very well. Maybe I'll try #2, unsure as of now.
My main complaints would be around dialog, which felt silly sometimes, and side character development, which was really good some spots but lacking in other areas. Generally though it was a good read and has motivated me to actually read all the Brandon Sanderson books my partner has!
Graphic: Genocide, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Death of parent, Blood, Cursing, Grief, Violence, Death, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Torture and Medical content
lucaeartz's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Grief, Murder, Violence, Cursing, Mental illness, Genocide, Gore, and Blood
sourkiwi's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Genocide, Murder, Terminal illness, Violence, Body horror, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Child death, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Suicide
grrrbinsky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Self harm, Body horror, Death, and Gore
bookmark3brodi's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, and War