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courtnoodles's review
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Points awarded for a sharp as nails main character, witty dialogue, and incredible mainstream LGBT rep. Including but not limited to:
- pansexual mc
- lesbian li
- male and female love interests for the mc
- nonbinary ace sc
-
Points taken for:
- Literally everything else
- pansexual mc
- lesbian li
- male and female love interests for the mc
- nonbinary ace sc
-
Spoiler
m/f/f polyamorous relationshipPoints taken for:
- Literally everything else
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
achingallover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
1.0
Really stuck how to rate this.
First 2/3 the characters were inconsistent, shallow and annoying.
Last 1/3 the plot was really interesting, fast paced, with super cool magic. But still didn't make much sense.
It's almost like the last 1/3 was a different book.
Japha was the only good character, and they weren't developed well.
First 2/3 the characters were inconsistent, shallow and annoying.
Last 1/3 the plot was really interesting, fast paced, with super cool magic. But still didn't make much sense.
It's almost like the last 1/3 was a different book.
Japha was the only good character, and they weren't developed well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, and Vomit
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
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing for the e-arc of this book.
Rovan has been hiding the fact that she is a bloodmage her whole life--ever since she watched her father die for being one. Bloodmages are surrounded by death and forced to work for Theopolis, and Rovan will do anything she can to avoid that life...except letting her friend die. When she reveals she is a bloodmage, she is forced to the palace to except a bloodline and a life she wants no part of, and is beset with a Guardian--a spirit that seems to be more there to guard others from her than her from them. But there is something else going on in the city, causing the world-wide blight, and it stinks of death. Rovan will risk her own life to find out what it is.
I was all in on the premise of this book: the bloodmage, reluctant hero, secret plots and royal intrigue! The setting is also really interesting and I was so curious to find out what was causing the blight. There are a lot of twists and reveals that I didn't see coming, and I was kept on the edge of my seat for the entire time! I really love the plot.
The queer rep in this book is also amazing! Rovan is pansexual and polyamorous. There is a main character who is nonbinary panromantic-asexual, and lots of other queer characters. I thought it was all well-done and was glad that it wasn't looked down on in this world (as long as characters still reproduced, that is).
The only real complaint I had with this book (and not much of one) is that I didn't really feel the connection between Rovan and her love interests until...very far into the book. I didn't think the chemistry between them was that great and it seemed like much more of a visual-only attraction for a long time. It did get better though!
The found family element made me want to cry. So precious. Definitely get this book!
Pub Date: May 18, 2021
Rovan has been hiding the fact that she is a bloodmage her whole life--ever since she watched her father die for being one. Bloodmages are surrounded by death and forced to work for Theopolis, and Rovan will do anything she can to avoid that life...except letting her friend die. When she reveals she is a bloodmage, she is forced to the palace to except a bloodline and a life she wants no part of, and is beset with a Guardian--a spirit that seems to be more there to guard others from her than her from them. But there is something else going on in the city, causing the world-wide blight, and it stinks of death. Rovan will risk her own life to find out what it is.
I was all in on the premise of this book: the bloodmage, reluctant hero, secret plots and royal intrigue! The setting is also really interesting and I was so curious to find out what was causing the blight. There are a lot of twists and reveals that I didn't see coming, and I was kept on the edge of my seat for the entire time! I really love the plot.
The queer rep in this book is also amazing! Rovan is pansexual and polyamorous. There is a main character who is nonbinary panromantic-asexual, and lots of other queer characters. I thought it was all well-done and was glad that it wasn't looked down on in this world (as long as characters still reproduced, that is).
The only real complaint I had with this book (and not much of one) is that I didn't really feel the connection between Rovan and her love interests until...very far into the book. I didn't think the chemistry between them was that great and it seemed like much more of a visual-only attraction for a long time. It did get better though!
The found family element made me want to cry. So precious. Definitely get this book!
Pub Date: May 18, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Body horror, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
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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