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ellyrium's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Child abuse, Suicide, and Animal death
akaspiderlily'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? No
5.0
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Gore, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Alcoholism
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
This book reads as a long prologue and essentially sets the stage for the second book.
It is indigenous high fantasy & in my opinion, is mostly character-driven as not *too much* happens as far as moving the plot along. Most of the notable action happens in the last 100 pages of this 454 book, which makes sense because it gets you revved up for the sequel, Fevered Star!
I felt myself invested in Xiala and Serapio’s journey to Tova. Xiala is an exiled Teek who becomes a ship captain who has singing powers over the sea, while Serapio is a blind, seemingly “harmless” young man on a mission to fulfill his destiny (which his mother convinced him of in the first chapter of the book, when he was younger). I enjoyed Serapio and Xiala’s dynamic (reminiscent of hurt/comfort) and was curious to see where it would go next, especially after the end of Black Sun.
There is also a subplot of Naranpa, who used to be a beggar in the Maw, and now holds a position of high authority in the priesthood. Nara’s ending was intriguing and I think that is when most readers will become much more invested in her storyline!
Read if you want a diverse fantasy with prophecies, morally grey characters, and beautiful writing!
see content warnings below <3
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Violence, and Blood
blakeandbooks'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
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, and Body horror
Minor: Sexual content
ash_ton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Torture, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Addiction, Biphobia, Vomit, Alcohol, and Suicide
casdelvo'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: Death, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Body horror
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, Homophobia, Animal death, and Confinement
that_boi_eliza's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: War, Suicide, Alcoholism, Blood, Violence, Xenophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Trafficking, Classism, Misogyny, Rape, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Animal death, Cursing, Gore, Drug use, and Death
Minor: Ableism and Confinement
samseyz's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Genocide, Murder, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Animal death
Minor: Kidnapping
rkfmiller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Body horror, Death of parent, Violence, and Gore
jaynovara's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death of parent, Self harm, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Torture
Minor: Religious bigotry, Cursing, and Sexual violence