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anastashamarie'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
4.0
SJM builds a complex and fascinating world in the Crescent City series. Because of this, there is a pretty big info-dump in the first few chapters of this book detailing the history of the city, its people, and the social and political hierarchies. I wouldn't say the world building is any more complex than any other fantasy series, but it did make the first few chapters drag on for me. ⚠️ WARNING: AVOID THE FAN WIKI AND SUBREDDITS IF YOU'RE STILL READING. They are both filled with unmarked spoilers. If you do want to look up a guide for any of the background lore, I found a mostly spoiler-free guide that I'll gladly message you. ⚠️ Aside from the initial mountain of information, the world only added to the story overall, and the sociopolitical context became much easier to follow as the story went on.
Along with the info dump, I didn't initially relate well to the FMC, Bryce, and her "party girl" attitude. I didn't dislike her by any means--she's fiery, intelligent, and complex--but she didn't initially resonate with me on a personal level. As the story progresses, though all this changes. After the first 100-200 pages, I couldn't put this book down. I fell in love with the banter and sass that Bryce's character natural brought to the story, and the chemistry between her and the romantic lead had me giggly. I also fell in love with the portrayals of friendship and family, as I'm finding is characteristic of SJM's books. Some of the friendship scenes, especially toward the end, quite literally had me sobbing.
I also thought the murder mystery of this plot was nicely done. All the clues (and red herrings) tied together nicely in the end, providing a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this for fantasy readers who also enjoy crime shows: think Criminal Minds meets the Mortal Instruments. Very enjoyable read and I'm already looking forward to the next one.
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Slavery
Minor: Domestic abuse, Racism, and Vomit
localcat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Sexism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Grief, Violence, Alcohol, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
Minor: Vomit, War, and Domestic abuse
begentile'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
Moderate: Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Eating disorder, Murder, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, War, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, Gore, Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Vomit
ahirsch00'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Cursing, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Classism, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Murder, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, War, Vomit, Abandonment, Classism, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Torture, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, and Slavery
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Sexual content, Drug use, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Suicide, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Animal death, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved the overall plot and the mystery it held. It kept me going with all of the twists and turns. I gasped, I regretted what happened, I loved what happen and by the end, I sat there with the book staring at the wall whispering "What the fuck. What the fuck." As I had to comprehend how everything ended and went down. I also thought "Thank the gods that book two is out now and I don't have to wait a couple of years.". I also liked that all the plot points from the start of the book were resolved and because they were resolved, there are now new plot points for the next book due to consequences. In a book that is 803 pages long, I would have been really annoyed that one of the plots points was not resolved for 'reasons'.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. There was a fun range of them and I also enjoyed jumping to different characters. Ruhn was one that I really enjoyed reading and watching interact with everyone. I found a lot of the characters in this book felt really well rounded and had their own lives, issues, and priorities. Granted not all were as all fleshed as others, it also comes down to how much they are written in the book and at what times. I am very excited to see who returns in the next book, and no doubt the new characters that Bryce and Hunt will work with and against.
Graphic: Drug use, Torture, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Sexism, Murder, Alcohol, Addiction, and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Cursing, Xenophobia, Abandonment, War, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Pregnancy, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After 100 pages I already was quite certain it would be a five star read and now I wish I could give it more than five stars. I just finished it so I might think a bit differently about this in a few weeks but this book is in the top 5 of all books I have ever read. I am still debating whether I liked it more than ACOTAR but I might have..
I was so immersed in the story that I physically could not stop reading. I finished it in 2 days and everytime I wasn't reading I was still thinking about the plot and the characters.
Most of the plot twists I did not expect or even if I expected them, the way it happened was still spectacular.
When I started reading today around 2 pm I wanted to get through about 300 pages and finish it up tomorrow.
I don't know what happened it, feels like time just passed me and I didn't realise what was happening around me. I feel like the world could have ended and I still would not have stopped reading. When I finally finished the 800 pages my whole body hurt and it was already 00:20. I thought it was early afternoon..
This book once again showed me why I like SJMs writing so much and why she is such a popular author. It is not for the smut which some people like to say (and which luckily was only like 2 pages in the whole book). She is incredibly talented and absolutely deserves the hype she is getting!!
I loved the characters and I cried for them. I felt their pain and I don't know if I will ever get over this book.
It is the best thing I have read in a long time and I cannot wait to read the next book!
I am really grateful for the ending though. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger so at least I can go to sleep now. :)
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Thoughts of my 2. read-through:
THIS BOOK IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK EVER I CAN'T HELP IT.
I also cried again. A lot.
This book hurts like hell but I also giggled SO MUCH.
I love the characters. I love the writing. I love the plot. I love the setting. I love the drama. I love the silliness. I love the friendships. I love everything because this book literally has everything I could ever want.
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Drug use, Slavery, Death, Violence, Murder, War, and Addiction
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, Drug use, Police brutality, Sexism, Torture, Cursing, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Abandonment
christas_catalog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, War, Slavery, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
redus_reuse_recycle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Gore and Slavery
Minor: Domestic abuse
emmas_shelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Blood
Moderate: Sexism and Death
paolina's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty