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emilymax21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
I definitely recommend it to all fantasy readers and anyone looking to diversify their reading list
My only real complaint is there were a few moments where modern references make sense but sometimes it felt awkward.
Some of it was a little predictable, but for every one thing I could predict there were two that surprised me.
The emotions that the characters and I go through in this book are such a wide range of complex feelings and I was entranced. This book addresses racism, classism, grief, and anger in ways no nonfiction book ever could, while still creating a compelling and engaging fantasy world.
My only real complaint is there were a few moments where modern references make sense but sometimes it felt awkward.
Some of it was a little predictable, but for every one thing I could predict there were two that surprised me.
The emotions that the characters and I go through in this book are such a wide range of complex feelings and I was entranced. This book addresses racism, classism, grief, and anger in ways no nonfiction book ever could, while still creating a compelling and engaging fantasy world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Slavery, Death, Car accident, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual violence and Transphobia
victoriaemull2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual violence
racheldonna14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
If I could give this book six stars I would.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death, Sexism, Slavery, Misogyny, Hate crime, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, Vomit, Stalking, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Medical content, Abandonment, Car accident, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
maistfu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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 might just be one of the best books I've ever read.
The world building in first books of a fantasy series are tricky but this was done so wonderfully. And I loved the way the author incorporated and addresses trauma, therapy, racism, intergenerational trauma experienced by descendants of enslaved people and their history and mythology is amazing.
The world building in first books of a fantasy series are tricky but this was done so wonderfully. And I loved the way the author incorporated and addresses trauma, therapy, racism, intergenerational trauma experienced by descendants of enslaved people and their history and mythology is amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual violence
cturn's review
adventurous
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Blood, Grief, Violence, Death of parent, Rape, Classism, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Infidelity, Slavery, Car accident, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and War
hmogie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
I can see why there is so much hype around this book! Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read. I loved how the book explored grief, loss, and longing through an adventurous plot. I also loved the exploration of borrowing versus taking something that is sacred. As a YA novel, I thought it did a great job capturing the teenage experience, particularly through the relationship between Bree and Alice. I can remember being a teenager and wanting to be there for a friend who can't express/share what is happening to them. I thought the exploration of race dynamics and racism was done well for a YA audience, and I loved the author's note adding some history to the Root magic system.
As for some weaker areas, I did find the magic system to be a little confusing. I also had a little bit of trouble keeping up with the minor characters and where they fit into the magic system. This lessened some of the emotional impact that the book could have had. I also wasn't a fan. of a straight up villain monologue that was in the book. I thought Patricia was great as a character, but I couldn't help laughing at how poor she was as a therapist in terms of confidentiality (which was fun to have a chuckle at). Although this is being very picky, I also thought all the characters having the first syllable of their names as nicknames to get a little tiresome (Tor, Sar, Sel, etc)
I am very excited to read the next book in the series!
As for some weaker areas, I did find the magic system to be a little confusing. I also had a little bit of trouble keeping up with the minor characters and where they fit into the magic system. This lessened some of the emotional impact that the book could have had. I also wasn't a fan. of a straight up villain monologue that was in the book. I thought Patricia was great as a character, but I couldn't help laughing at how poor she was as a therapist in terms of confidentiality (which was fun to have a chuckle at). Although this is being very picky, I also thought all the characters having the first syllable of their names as nicknames to get a little tiresome (Tor, Sar, Sel, etc)
I am very excited to read the next book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual violence
quel_g's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Racial slurs, Murder, Death, Slavery, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Misogyny, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Racism, and Sexual violence
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, Blood, Misogyny, and Police brutality
maggies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.0
An enjoyable listen, the narrator was fantastic, but I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. I wish it had been more new adult than young adult—I couldn't really get over the fact that Bree's only 16, and I think it would have been better if she was slightly older, especially because the world-building was pretty complicated for a YA book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Death of parent, Grief, War, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Confinement, and Abandonment
Minor: Police brutality, Sexual violence, and Rape
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.75
Bree has just lost her mother when she enters an early programme at university. If grief and this new life weren’t enough to deal with, she witnesses an attack by creatures who clearly aren’t human and suddenly her world expands. She discovers secret truths running through the fabric of what she knew, and finds herself in the midst of a very white secret society where she has to fight to prove she belongs even though she’s not sure about that herself.
This very clunky synopsis doesn’t cover half of what makes this book exciting. Although I’m not drawn to stories of evil creatures threatening the world, the way Tracy Deonn works with her tropes is stellar. Bree’s story of resilience and grief and blackness is intricately woven with a fast-paced narrative that had me reaching for this book over and over again. This book draws on some ancient themes (Arthurian legends, Black history in Southern USA) and shines a fresh, modern light on them. This book is admittedly more dark than academia, but there were very thoughtful narrative points in which the characters discovered untold truths about the past and their family histories. My favourite part may have been the balance between male, white, secret but official power, and the legacy of hidden Black power passed from generations through women. The way all the threads gathered between Bree’s fingers was extremely satisfying from a narrative point of view, and very moving as well.
I may not have been sold instantly on this book, but the speed at which I read the last hundred pages is a testament to how efficient it is.
Rep: Black MC, various LGBTQIA+ secondary characters including non-binary representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Sexual violence
emkplatts's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
I liked this book way more than I expected!!! It was so good! I love King Arthur retellings/adaptations, so I was pleasantly surprised when I started this book. My only critique is that I wanted more exploration of her powers and identity, but I'm hopeful that will come in the rest of the series. I also found the magic system a bit confusing with all of the medieval terms and rules etc. I thought the book discussed race and gender really thoughtfully. It integrated those real life elements into the fantastical world beautifully. It had a lot of important discourse woven into the fabric of the story, making it was easy to process. Which I felt was especially important for younger readers. I'm super excited to read the sequel and anxiously awaiting the third book to be released! also my merthur heart is singing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, War, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Classism, Sexual violence, War, Violence, Slavery, Kidnapping, Death, and Car accident
Minor: Rape, Transphobia, Pregnancy, Murder, Kidnapping, and Colonisation