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sarahflanders'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Murder, Sexual content, War, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, and Death
jennie_serine'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: War, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Deportation, Grief, Murder, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Blood, Cursing, Deadnaming, Chronic illness, Violence, Body shaming, Bullying, Outing, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship
asourceoffiction'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
I have to admit, for the first few days I wasn't sure I understood the hype. I liked it from the beginning, but wasn't completely hooked.
And then.
Much like the dragons, I felt like the book was sinking its claws into me until I couldn't put it down. I don't know if it was the dragons themselves, the vast, complex world-building, the brilliant characters and Violet's found family, or a combination of everything. I love the concept, Violet is an awesome FMC (she's broken, she's strong, she's bloody fierce) and her connection with Andarna and Tairn is EVERYTHING. Xaden too, but I was here more for the connection between him and Violet than the smut.
But then it's the way the plot just runs wild. Was it entirely unpredictable? No. But was I utterly obsessed anyway? Absolutely. It had the audacity to pull at all of my emotions, and I'm still not over the final scenes. I am itching to get my hands on the next book and find out where this is all going!
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Child death, and Death of parent
Moderate: War and Bullying
natashareadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I know, I know - what took me so long to read this book?! And I have no idea. Seriously, if you have been holding onto this book but haven't read it yet, READ IT!
4.5⭐ out of 5⭐
Nov 17, 2023-
In a world at war, young adults can enter the war college to face the challenges of possibly becoming a dragon rider, and protecting their lands. But the challenges at the college is just as capable of killing them as any dragon or opponent can. The only options of the college once you enter, is graduate or die. So when Violet is thrust into the Rider's Quadrant - Violet who can barely make it up the stairs with her pack without getting winded, Violet who's joints can pop out at any inconvenience, and bones snap easier than others- she is viewed as the weakest link, and becomes target number one. Especially from the marked ones. Being the daughter of the general who helped execute their parents who led the rebellion six years ago. So her main objective- don't die, and stay away from Xaden- the one who wants her dead more than any other... But staying away from Xaden becomes infinitely more difficult when their lives become tied together.
So, I reread this book - not only to read the bonus chapters but also to prepare for Iron Flame.
And I loved it just as much the second time around.
I loved the world, the magic & dragons, and the characters.
It has great world building, - that isn't overwhelming. It has the nostalgia feel of dystopian novels, with the fantasy element of dragons, and dragons woven in.
And the characters.
Violet's illness may make others view her as a liability - she's more brittle, weaker, smaller than everyone else- yet she is stronger- maybe not in muscle but in her compassion & personality & also dealing with pain on the daily- and smarter & more cumning than those around her.
Rhiannon who is smart, loyal & a great friend.
Liam who is protective, sweet & caring.
Xaden who is dark, brooding, lethal & ruthless but more than he seems.
I loved this book and cannot wait to dive into Iron Flame - dive more into this wonderful world of magic & magnificent dragons & see more from this characters. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
4.5 ⭐s out of 5⭐.
3🌶️ out of 5🌶️. Multiple scenes throughout in detail.
Tropes:
→ fantasy romance /romantasy
→ enemies to lovers
→ forced Proximity
→ academy (war college)
→ New Adult romance
→ chronic illness (h) representation
→ morally gray H
→found family
→ slow burn
→ overcoming adversity/underdog
→ dysfunctional family
Minor: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Child death, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, War, Animal death, Blood, Death, and Bullying
madradstarchild'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Animal death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Child death, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Gore
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Drug use, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
solarel'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
4.25
So world-related plot holes aside, it’s well worth the read. And it’s very much my jam. (The sexual scenes were probably the best written smut I’ve read in a long time. Well done.)
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child death, Violence, War, Sexual content, Murder, Medical content, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, and Blood
thewarbler'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
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child death
anoelle896'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: War, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Cursing, Chronic illness, Animal death, Ableism, Violence, Sexual content, and Bullying
Moderate: Death, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, War, Violence, Sexual content, Murder, Chronic illness, and Body shaming
Minor: Death and Death of parent
meshell's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Medical content, Sexual content, Murder, Child death, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
emmahe'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
5.0
Graphic: Death
Minor: Death of parent and Child death