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takarakei'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
A joy to read. I truly loved the world Rebecca Roanhorse has created. I think my favorite thing is that with the multiple POVs you are really getting attached to all these characters because they are complex and interesting, but they are (seemingly) on opposing sides so you're just wondering how it's going to play out. I love the inclusion of a character list, and maps! the only thing that would've pushed it over the top was a little glossary since this is a high fantasy (I found myself a bit confused mainly on the hierarchy of The Watchers and The Sky Made Clans).
As always check content warnings - there are some pretty dark things that happen, in particular with Serapio's backstory. The backdrop of the plot is political/religious tensions and power struggles.
This book also has fantastic LGBTQ+ and specifically nonbinary rep. There are unique non-gendered pronouns aside from she/her and he/him. Several of the characters are queer, and Xiala is definitely bi or pansexual.
It's definitely written as the first book in a series, so the ending is very unresolved, but in a way that you are just so excited to read the next books and find out what happens.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Gore, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Minor: Religious bigotry
mutilation/scarring (of a child)ameliabee33'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
5.0
Xiala, I would die for Xiala. She is a boat captain, a lover of beautiful things and people, and with a hidden past that readers just get a glimpse of. She is also a Teek, legendary women known to use their Song to manipulate the sea and men alike. She was such a strong, resilient chatacter throughout the book that I just kept wanting more and more chapters about her.
Serapio is the avatar for the crow god. Grandfather Crow. Blinded by his mother at a young age, he has grown up and taught that his purpose is to be the vessel for the crow god, which will emerge during the Convergence. I just wanted to protect Serapio this entire time 😠He wanted human connection and love and so much was standing in his way. I will support him always.
Naranpa is the Sun Priest from the wrong side of the tracks, for lack of a better phrase. As a part and leader of the religious order of Watchers, Naranpa tries to implement institutional change in the order, which has a bloody past and prejudice riddled everywhere. I was left wanting more from her chapters, just more history of her ascension to Sun Priest as well as a more in depth description of her tried and failed changes.
Okoa is the head of the Shied for the matron of clan Carrion Crow. He is a fighter and rider of a raven named Benunda. While he grieves the murder of his mother he gets involved with Grandfather Crow cultists, which want the Watchers killed and their power stripped from them. We had the least amount of chapters from this character, but I have a feeling he will play a more important role in the upcoming books.
Overall there was rich storytelling and great world building inspired by cultures in the pre-Columbian Americas as well as Polynesian. I am so glad I picked this one up for Native American Heritage Month 😊
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, Violence, and Gore
Minor: War and Sexual content
ishtar_n'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse
jackiepreston's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Body horror, Alcohol, and Sexual content
haylzno'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
Other than that, WOWOWOWWOWOW
As I am writing this, I have already finished reading the sequel, Fevered Star, and I can tell you the story only gets better.
High/adult fantasy has always intimidated me a bit, but I found this to be very easy to read. The world, magic system, and characters are all amazing.
I can't wait for the third book!
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: War and Murder
sohva'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Animal death, Death, Blood, Cursing, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Homophobia, War, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Sexual violence
bunny_boy'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
drlove2018'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Animal death, Genocide, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Sexual content, Suicide, and Xenophobia
maxxdangers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Classism, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Racism, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Misogyny, Suicide, Sexual content, Slavery, and Transphobia
solenekeleroux'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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Xenophobia, Genocide, Violence, Gore, Body horror, Death, Suicide, Child abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Confinement