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o_mcg318's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Emotional abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Cursing and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicide and Addiction
coinmanatee's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Its... Okay. I don't know if its the YA nonsense Im objecting to or not. If it is... then this book is great if you like faery bullshit set in Toronto.
Otherwise, I'm disappointed, I suppose. I feel like its 500 pages of set up for something that might not happen for another thousand pages or more? If I knew for definite it was only a two parter Id be more accepting, but for Reasons I suspect itll be more and I do not have the patience for that.
The worldbuilding was not exactly creative. It felt more like it smushed basic tropes together and I found myself skimming through a lot of description because I already knew what things would look like, or smell, or geel, because it was exactly like every other faery book in the world.
I will say the character voices are good and I do very much enjoy Nausicaas existence and mindset.
Could have done without the romance. (I dont trust any of these children to have healthy romantic attachments) but the attraction was well written and fairly believable
Otherwise, I'm disappointed, I suppose. I feel like its 500 pages of set up for something that might not happen for another thousand pages or more? If I knew for definite it was only a two parter Id be more accepting, but for Reasons I suspect itll be more and I do not have the patience for that.
The worldbuilding was not exactly creative. It felt more like it smushed basic tropes together and I found myself skimming through a lot of description because I already knew what things would look like, or smell, or geel, because it was exactly like every other faery book in the world.
I will say the character voices are good and I do very much enjoy Nausicaas existence and mindset.
Could have done without the romance. (I dont trust any of these children to have healthy romantic attachments) but the attraction was well written and fairly believable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death
Minor: Addiction
miabellawymer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Child death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
thecourtofreading's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"heroes went through so much hardship. heroes were the stuff of tragedies."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Gun violence, Body horror, Racism, and Emotional abuse
melaniereadsbooks's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Wow, I loved this book so so much!
I was immediately hooked by Nausicaa's point of view. She is so sarcastic and absolutely hilarious, but also super passionate! I love her so much. And then there were a bunch of other pov's I also loved! Arlo, Vehan, Aurelian! There are so many interesting characters in this book!
The plot is also great. There is a lot going on, but it comes together super well and it isn't hard to follow at all. There is enough mystery to really be left on the edge of your seat!
I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel to this one!
I was immediately hooked by Nausicaa's point of view. She is so sarcastic and absolutely hilarious, but also super passionate! I love her so much. And then there were a bunch of other pov's I also loved! Arlo, Vehan, Aurelian! There are so many interesting characters in this book!
The plot is also great. There is a lot going on, but it comes together super well and it isn't hard to follow at all. There is enough mystery to really be left on the edge of your seat!
I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel to this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Gore, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Drug use
leahjanespeare's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Here's the book for those of us who grew up in the world of the Mortal Instruments and are now searching for something darker, grittier, but with that same comforting feel--the blurry lines between the mortal and faerie realms. The scope of worldbuilding is unparalleled, and it's only just beginning to flesh out, because not only do we meet the fae, but also ancient gods and other creatures of lore across time. But the heart of this book is in the characters. The casually all-queer cast solidifies that everyone deserves to be represented in magical stories and have adventures, and who are not defined by their sexuality or gender. Each of them contributes a different magical background from all corners of the Courts. The fallen deities, ironborn, the troublemakers, the snarky nerds. The world is not prepared for them but like it or not, they're here to shake things up. Holly Black may be the Queen of Faerie but Ashley Shuttleworth has secured their place in the Seelie Court.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Mental illness
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