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kiwij96's review
- 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
The importance of history, community, family, heritage, and love was strong in this. Within the first three chapters, I already knew the characters and fully enjoyed following them on their journey through this book. It was fast paced, and even the longer chapters were quick and easy to read, packed with drama and emotion and foreshadowing to a degree, and not a single page was wasted - it all flowed together wonderfully without filler.
There were a couple of things that I didn't enjoy:
1. The use of informal/slang language is one which confuses matters in books for me (the use of "fire" as a description of bread was one, and "dope" as a description for furniture/aesthetic was another. Obviously, these are words I know work as descriptions in the verbal sense, but I personally don't know how well they hold up in the written sense).
2. Clem oftentimes came across as irritating.
3. MAJOR SPOILER
4. MAJOR SPOILER
Anyways, 100% a brilliant story and a fantastic read from start to finish. Really looking forward to reading Blood Justice when I buy it! Fully recommend.
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death, Bullying, Grief, Slavery, Racism, Rape, and Torture
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Homophobia, Infertility, Sexual content, Gore, and Infidelity
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Drug use, and Domestic abuse
amberinpieces's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Homophobia, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Classism, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Hate crime, Slavery, Drug use, Stalking, Infidelity, Bullying, Medical content, Vomit, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
hobbithopeful'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
To say this book went above and beyond my expectations would be a lie. It BLEW my expectations out of the water! This is one of the best debut novels I've read, and if I could read it for the first time again I WOULD! The storyline was tense and kept me on the edge of my seat, and even though there was a wide and varied cast of characters, it was never too confusing. Each person introduced felt like they were so different and complex, it was never hard to keep track of them. I couldn't even tell you the amount of times I flipped to the family tree to try and suss out the mystery before it was revealed on page. I loved the inclusion of history, of queer characters, and the depiction of intergenerational trauma. This is one of the best magical systems I've seen depicted in books. All the rituals and spells that are shown felt so real, I almost expect to see people harvesting moonlight the next time I look outside at night.
This is definitely a heavy read. Benton does not shy away from discussions of race, appropriation, and injustice. I saw so much of myself in Cris, realizing justice is reserved for the white and privileged has been the hardest pill I've had to swallow. (And it's still stuck in my throat to be honest...) I would burn down cities if it meant getting justice and vengeance for those I believe are truly evil.
The book had the perfect amount of loose ends, not too many where you felt the story wasn't resolved, but the right amount where it sticks in your brain and you wonder what's going to happen in the next book. (I have so many theories it's insane!)
I truly cannot wait for the sequel, I know it's going to put me through the emotional wringer, and I will thank it when it does so!
A must read! SERIOUSLY! READ THIS!
Graphic: Murder, Racism, Violence, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Hate crime, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Sexual assault, and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse and Slavery
eliselerario's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Child death, Confinement, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Gun violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, and Racism
Minor: Car accident