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jasper_is_atypical's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Torture
Minor: Classism, Death, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
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
4.0
THIS GOLDEN FLAME is a story of exploitation, personhood, and substrate chauvinism in a fantasy version of technically-not-ancient-Greece.
Karis is trying to get free of the Scriptorium and find her brother, whom she last saw seven years ago. Alix is an automaton Karis finds before escaping, and a large part of his arc revolves around figuring out the extent to which his mechanical origins define him, how much it matters to how he goes about existing in the world.
The worldbuilding is mostly in the background and in little details, like the clothing. This isn't a book that sets out to dazzle with the setting, the setting exists to support the characters rather than to be a huge presence itself. The plot is pretty linear, and I don't want to spoil it. This is a very character-driven book, with most of the tension revolving around the characters deciding how to proceed based on a few key factors which they can't affect much. Where this really shines is in characterization and character development. They don't become totally different people or something, but rather they become more confident and self-aware versions of themselves as they gain allies and figure out their path forward.
Karis is trying to get free of the Scriptorium and find her brother, whom she last saw seven years ago. Alix is an automaton Karis finds before escaping, and a large part of his arc revolves around figuring out the extent to which his mechanical origins define him, how much it matters to how he goes about existing in the world.
The worldbuilding is mostly in the background and in little details, like the clothing. This isn't a book that sets out to dazzle with the setting, the setting exists to support the characters rather than to be a huge presence itself. The plot is pretty linear, and I don't want to spoil it. This is a very character-driven book, with most of the tension revolving around the characters deciding how to proceed based on a few key factors which they can't affect much. Where this really shines is in characterization and character development. They don't become totally different people or something, but rather they become more confident and self-aware versions of themselves as they gain allies and figure out their path forward.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Slavery
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
3.5
Scrappy crew on a quest to find a missing brother and maybe overthrow an oppressive organization on the way? Gimme. I love the honesty in this book between Karis and Alix. It's so refreshing and I love to see friendships built on trust. I also really enjoyed the concept of the automatons and all the Scriptwork! And, aro-ace protagonist!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse and Confinement
Minor: Death of parent
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
This book was fun and adventurous. I thought that the Grecian touch to the worldbuilding was enjoyable, and I liked how unique the magic system was, and that it was used differently in different places in the fantasy world. Also, it had a big pirate presence, which is always a bonus. The character development was pretty strong; I really liked where Karis, Alix and Dane ended up personally.
There were two main issues with this book for me. The first is that it was told in 1st person POV, alternating between Karis and Alix - the alternating POV was necessary, but it definitely needed 3rd person not 1st, as Karis and Alix's "voices" were so so similar. The second issue is that I think this may have been better off as a duology. The ending just felt a little rushed, and I don't think there was enough time in this book to build up the magnitude of the "final battle".
There were two main issues with this book for me. The first is that it was told in 1st person POV, alternating between Karis and Alix - the alternating POV was necessary, but it definitely needed 3rd person not 1st, as Karis and Alix's "voices" were so so similar. The second issue is that I think this may have been better off as a duology. The ending just felt a little rushed, and I don't think there was enough time in this book to build up the magnitude of the "final battle".
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief, Death, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Blood
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
This was a fun and adventurous fantasy with pirates, androids (?), and ace rep! I enjoyed the story, but there wasn't a lot that really stood out to me about it. I wish that the character development was a little more in depth and that I could have learned more backstory about them. I liked some of the side characters better than the main characters and wished they were in it more. But definitely a fun story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Slavery, Violence, Gun violence, Torture, Death of parent, and Ableism
monilib's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, and Trafficking
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