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bmaeus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Gotta come in with the (nearly) five-star review because too many people are doing this one dirty. This was actually one of my favorite Tortall books, and probably my favorite of the Immortals series. I understand people's beef with the romance but a relationship that transcends its age gap and/or power imbalance seems very classic Tamora Pierce, at least considering both of Alanna's romance arcs in Song of the Lioness. This is the bare minimum but I was actually glad to see Numair and Daine's relationship framed as inappropriate. It's shown that Numair is very wary of manipulating her and wants her active consent, which is more than we can say about our beloved George. And ultimately none of this cancels out the fact that the romance is tremendously well done. It's been building up for a couple of books and while I agree it's ridiculous and everyone should make fun of Numair forever, it's so fun to read and easy to get swept up in.
Onto the actual meat of the book. All the creatures and gods and myths and new magics are so crazy and weird and exciting. It's sick worldbuilding and perfect fantasy adventuring. All of Daine's relationships—with herparents, her old friends, her new friends, her enemies, her gods—are nuanced and well-written. The little darkings are funny and cute and wonderful. The book, like the rest in the series, shows with care both the violence and tenderness of being alive. It really cements the theme of being bound to your own nature, the creature you were made to be, and how goodness is not a morality to be ascribed to. What's "good" is living your life as the creature you were made, free and whole and in alignment with your heart. It's not a common theme in YA and made me appreciate Daine as a character all that much more. The pacing was a little wild toward the end but overall a great ending to a great series.
Onto the actual meat of the book. All the creatures and gods and myths and new magics are so crazy and weird and exciting. It's sick worldbuilding and perfect fantasy adventuring. All of Daine's relationships—with her
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
charm0nix's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
nicheinterests's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Animal death
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault