Scan barcode
esterareads'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: Rape, Animal death, Sexual assault, Blood, Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
suddenbreakdown'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Homophobia
mevanalt's review
Graphic: Homophobia and Rape
sneaky_snake22'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
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Murder, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Homophobia
maggienack's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Kidnapping
ceeceegee'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Rape, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Outing, Death of parent, and Homophobia
lady_wallflower_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
The good:
I really enjoyed the world building. The book focuses on two countries, Ralia and Tithena. Ralia is very conservative and Tithena is a country where people of all genders and sexual preferences are celebrated. I loved seeing how inclusive the world was and the way the author built the culture was really captivating.
The main relationship was also really well done! Vel and Cae were both individually wonderful and I loved seeing their relationship grow. The entire book takes up only a few weeks of time so there will be a lot more to investigate when it comes to their relationship development. I'm looking forward to reading book 2 to see how things progress!
The questionable:
Velasin, one of our main characters, is raped in chapter 2. A lot of this book is also about his response to that and how he works to move forward. It's graphic, on page, and it was a bit shocking to happen so early into the book. The author did provide content warnings at the beginning of the book and I would highly take those into consideration before anyone were to read this book.
It took me some time to get used to the writing. For the first 60% or so of the book I found myself having to go back and reread paragraphs because I felt like I missed something. Either I got used to the writing style in the later half or the author found a better groove. Likewise, some explanations came across as a bit heavy handed concerning the investigation into the murders and other happenings. I would have been interested in more 'show' than 'tell' because it felt like a bit of a lecture at times.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
sorayah11's review
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Stalking, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia, War, and Classism
bookishmagpie'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? It's complicated
3.75
I don't know if I'll continue this series, but not for a lack of enjoyment. It felt like a satisfying enough ending with just enough ambiguity and loose-ends to justify a sequel, but not so much that I'm rushing to read it.
If you pick this up please heed the trigger warnings!
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Outing, and Stalking
voidature's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Mental illness, Murder, Outing, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Ableism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Vomit and Transphobia