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rorikae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
'In the Ravenous Dark' is a deliciously dark story that celebrates queerness.
It centers on Rovan, a bloodmage in the city of Thanopolis, who has been hiding her powers ever since her father was killed. When she discovers that her father's death wasn't quite what she thought and her powers are discovered, she is forced to come to the palace to be bound to a shade. As she learns more about the bloodmages and the world that surrounds her, all while also falling for a princess, she begins to question what is going on in the world and how she can free herself.
A.M. Strickland creates a decadent world wrapped up with intriguing characters and a fascinating magic system. Their extravagant writing matches with the gaudy setting, all while creating a captivating story. Two of the things that stand out the most to me are the characters and the writing. Strickland's world comes to life under her lush prose that provides great detail in a world that is dripping with intricacies. Settled down into this world are characters, some that you love, some that you hate, and others that you may not like but still care deeply for. Rovan is a complex and flawed heroine but I never once stopped liking her, even when the story got especially dark. The queer love stories and the polyamory were perfectly matched to the world.
The only hiccup is that there were some moments where the love stories felt like they moved a bit too quickly though this didn't bother me a great deal. Strickland has created such great characters and the bonds of friendship and family are so strong that things moving too quickly only barely caught my attention. This is such a great book though incredibly dark. I will definitely be picking up more of Strickland's writing.
It centers on Rovan, a bloodmage in the city of Thanopolis, who has been hiding her powers ever since her father was killed. When she discovers that her father's death wasn't quite what she thought and her powers are discovered, she is forced to come to the palace to be bound to a shade. As she learns more about the bloodmages and the world that surrounds her, all while also falling for a princess, she begins to question what is going on in the world and how she can free herself.
A.M. Strickland creates a decadent world wrapped up with intriguing characters and a fascinating magic system. Their extravagant writing matches with the gaudy setting, all while creating a captivating story. Two of the things that stand out the most to me are the characters and the writing. Strickland's world comes to life under her lush prose that provides great detail in a world that is dripping with intricacies. Settled down into this world are characters, some that you love, some that you hate, and others that you may not like but still care deeply for. Rovan is a complex and flawed heroine but I never once stopped liking her, even when the story got especially dark. The queer love stories and the polyamory were perfectly matched to the world.
The only hiccup is that there were some moments where the love stories felt like they moved a bit too quickly though this didn't bother me a great deal. Strickland has created such great characters and the bonds of friendship and family are so strong that things moving too quickly only barely caught my attention. This is such a great book though incredibly dark. I will definitely be picking up more of Strickland's writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Gore, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, and Suicide
libraryofdoe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
A queer-normative dark fantasy with an intricate magic system and political intrigue. What can I say without gushing? Nothing. A new all time favourite has emerged and it’s here to stay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Suicide and Sexual assault
mhs_197's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Body horror, Rape, and Suicide
vaniavela's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Torture, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Outing, Gore, and Death
wrenxavier's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? N/A
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Kidnapping and Suicide
luckykosmos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
I don't think this book is for everyone, but it was firmly for me, with the blood magic and criticism of gender and found family. Rovan is an absolute delight as a protagonist - messy and stubborn, here for a fun time not a long time. The LGBT+ characters, I think, are handled super well - there's acknowledgment of bigotry they face, but we don't see them suffer for the sake of their identity, they simply Are (and there are so many of them!). I wanted a book like this so deeply, and as finite as the ending is, I wish there was more.
My one criticism, I would say, isthe villain's main motive is to Live Forever, and little beyond that . I still rounded up despite this because every other component fit together so beautifully for me, but in light of how fleshed out every other facet was, this one thing fell flat.
My one criticism, I would say, is
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
qace90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
Yeah, AM Strickland has just further cemented themselves as a fave author whose books are auto-buy. Full review closer to release, but def pick this up if you’re a fan of dark fantasy and polyamorous romance arcs!
Full review:
After how much Beyond the Black Door meant to me, In the Ravenous Dark has been one of my most anticipated releases, and I nearly cried when I received an advance copy. This book was wonderful and emotional and dark and gritty, and I couldn’t put it down!
When Rovan was a young girl, her father from another kingdom always warned her to keep her magic secret, and after seeing him murdered and dragged away by the warded bloodmages, she spent the last 13 years keeping her head down. When she accidentally reveals herself saving her friend, a series of events begins that will change the very landscape.
This book is so strongly made up of chosen family and how hard doing the right thing can be. I loved the discussions of what love is and the ways the characters’ biggest concern is that their partner(s) are happy and fulfilled. I love the friendship with Japha and honestly see their relationship with Rovan as a QPR of sorts.
I just, I loved this book and I don’t want to give too much away because figuring stuff out and seeing the development was part of the fun, but suffice to say I absolutely adored it! I love the magic and the mythology and the characters all so much! If you enjoy books with dark magic and characters trying to fix the world as they know it, plus polyamorous relationships, you’ll definitely wanna pick this book up!!
Yeah, AM Strickland has just further cemented themselves as a fave author whose books are auto-buy. Full review closer to release, but def pick this up if you’re a fan of dark fantasy and polyamorous romance arcs!
Full review:
After how much Beyond the Black Door meant to me, In the Ravenous Dark has been one of my most anticipated releases, and I nearly cried when I received an advance copy. This book was wonderful and emotional and dark and gritty, and I couldn’t put it down!
When Rovan was a young girl, her father from another kingdom always warned her to keep her magic secret, and after seeing him murdered and dragged away by the warded bloodmages, she spent the last 13 years keeping her head down. When she accidentally reveals herself saving her friend, a series of events begins that will change the very landscape.
This book is so strongly made up of chosen family and how hard doing the right thing can be. I loved the discussions of what love is and the ways the characters’ biggest concern is that their partner(s) are happy and fulfilled. I love the friendship with Japha and honestly see their relationship with Rovan as a QPR of sorts.
I just, I loved this book and I don’t want to give too much away because figuring stuff out and seeing the development was part of the fun, but suffice to say I absolutely adored it! I love the magic and the mythology and the characters all so much! If you enjoy books with dark magic and characters trying to fix the world as they know it, plus polyamorous relationships, you’ll definitely wanna pick this book up!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, and Vomit
Minor: Gore, Rape, Sexual content, and Suicide
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