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erynpaige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexism, Racism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Xenophobia, War, Police brutality, Murder, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death, Confinement, and Child death
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
grisgrisgris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I bought the next one right after I read it
Moderate: Homophobia
readingpicnic's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
giuliaprim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Classism, and Confinement
emilywasbored'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
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Homophobia, and Child abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Child death
sidarines'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
4.0
Minor: Homophobia
fictionalportal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Abandonment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Drug use
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
plumpaperbacks'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? No
4.5
I loved Nirrim and Sid right away. The latter gave me Nikolai vibes, as both characters have an effortlessly confident and flirtatious façade they only let those they trust and love see past. Though I’m not nearly as in love with the Grishaverse as I was a few years ago, I still love Nikolai, and I love Sid even more.
The girls’ interactions had me smiling as soon as they met, and I loved seeing their relationship develop. I felt their affection deep in my soul, and I was so happy every time they had a moment that brought them closer. The yearning, the tenderness…. be still my gay heart!!! Every single time I read a book featuring a sapphic couple, I get immensely happy, and by the time I finish the book I’ve got a massive crush on at least one of the girls. This time, it’s Sid. Holy wow. Girl thoughts. Head lesbian. 😍
I felt so bad for Nirrim, and how the two people she was closest to were so abusive and manipulative. Seeing her come out of her shell, learn about the world, and become her own person was so satisfying. I want to give her the biggest hug, honestly.
The world Rutkoski created was unique and well-written. Readers are purposefully left in the dark for most of the book, slowly learning more alongside Nirrim, getting answers that also bring more questions. Despite this, I wasn’t confused or frustrated by what I didn’t know; I was intrigued by the possibilities and curious to see how she would tie everything together. In the end, there were multiple things revealed that I in no way saw coming. While not the most mind-blowing twists I’ve come across, they were still surprising, and set the stage nicely for the sequel.
Speaking of the sequel, I’m anticipating pain. Between the current state of Nirrim and Sid’s relationship and the events of the epilogue, I’m concerned. Very concerned. Also, the second book’s title makes sense now, and although I’m looking forward to said book, I just have a bad feeling. Like, I’m excited, but there’s a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach, because I’m desperately hoping for good things but expecting bad things.
I wouldn’t call this a new favorite, but it’s certainly a story I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend. Fingers crossed I can read the next book sooner rather than later!!
Representation
- sapphic protagonist of color
- biracial lesbian love interest
- sapphic romance (f/f)
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Terminal illness, Child abuse, and Child death
Those tagged minor are mentioned throughout the story but occurred prior to it.zoemaleah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Blood
deadbookishsociety's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was way more than what I expected it to be , it's not just a fantasy world but one way too similar to our won , where rules are made , people are divided and a system that supports and prefers one to another , why and since when people don't know and people are scared to question or maybe don't want to because it's just the way it has been until Nirrim does , until Sid a traveler comes in her life and makes her question everything she has been through. Makes her question why was the world divided into the way it was between high kith the ones who get to makes the rules and everything they want , earthlings the people in the middle and half kith the ones that suffer all of the consequences, over work themselves for the high kith and get nothing in return .
Nirrim is our main character who has shown to have such an amazing development throughout the book , from a timid girl who thinks about everyone else before her to someone who is ready to rebel against the system and take risks to get the answers she wants , Sid our lovely Sid , she is one of those characters who just make every scene they are in so much more charming, with her wit , flirtiness and mysterious personality she is one to look out for .
This book just in 300 pages was able to set up a magical world with characters so detailed that I was hooked right from the beginning to the end . So if you like short books with magic people and Sapphic main characters read this , read this , read this !!!
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Murder, Racism, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence