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victoria_elaine'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? N/A
3.75
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Torture, Murder, Gore, Violence, Grief, Physical abuse, and Blood
Minor: Trafficking and Vomit
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
First and foremost, this is the best of the audios so far. I think the fact that the book is comprised of a series of novellas makes it that much more listenable as, while there are important plot points throughout, each individual story contains reminders of key moments. You're therefore less likely to miss things, but equally the reminders don't disrupt the flow of the current tale. As previously, I do think this is partially dependent on the speed at which you listen, but at the same time because we're looking at short stories there's also less opportunity for a lull in the action, which keeps you focused and the story moving.
There are also moments in this one that 'hit' better with the audiobook, particularly in the last novella. The narrator has a great grasp of exactly where pauses are required for dramatic effect, where the voice needs to be louder or quieter and so on. That being said, it did feel like she was perhaps starting to run out of different voices by the end of the book - just a few too many characters are sounding similar to other works of hers.
This time around, I was able to pick up on few nice little Easter Eggs within the stories that I didn't see before. For that reason alone, I can understand why this perhaps shouldn't be read first (even though the events occur before Throne of Glass). Likewise, I think for a first time reader, the emotional gut punch of this book would be better felt reading it after 'Crown of Midnight'. However, although it did forge a deeper connection to Sam for me, for my own personal enjoyment of the series I think I'm better off putting it up front. But then I'm not sure I'd have picked up on the Easter Eggs if I had listened to it first! It's a tough one to call!
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Trafficking, Toxic friendship, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
piyumya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Vomit
mrsplace22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Murder, Torture, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Death, Slavery, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Violence, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence
allie_treacherousreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Confinement and Vomit
asimpson7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Torture, Bullying, Violence, War, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Vomit, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Emotional abuse
spatterson7'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
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death, Grief, and Body horror
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Torture, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, Drug use, Vomit, Death of parent, Cursing, and Excrement
barbarianmissy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ouch…. I knew exactly what was gonna happen but it STILL. HURT. ME!
I loooooooove that “My name is Celaena Sardothien and I will not be afraid” is from the one person she had left in her life that truly loved and cared for her. I gasped when he said it the first time and needed a moment to cope! Rip Sam, you were one sweet pea.
Arobynn, I hope you get brutally murdered in later books, I said what I said, and what I said is that you’re a stupid skank.
AS FOR THE BOOK AS A WHOLE!
I really enjoyed reading this prequel! It made me understand Celaena a lot more and appreciate her as a character and where she comes from. Dorian and Chaol better step up their game cause Team Sam alllllll the way, baby!
One small thing I did notice though was that, for the world’s greatest assassin, Celaena sure does get betrayed and captured a lot in these novellas. But it made for a fun time!
ONTO THE NEXT!
Minor: Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Blood, Gore, Sexual assault, Vomit, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, and Torture
annikenr'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
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Vomit, Blood, Death, and Violence
allydoessomereading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Body horror, Sexism, Slavery, Stalking, Torture, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, War, Confinement, and Vomit