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scam_lark'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
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, Murder, and Alcohol
sarah_speaks'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
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Slavery, and Transphobia
pinkhyxteria'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Torture, and Alcohol
remie'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
robliophile'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
4.5
The intermingling plot threads of Serapio's determined journey of annihilation, Xiala's aimlessness-turned-purpose, and the fragile balance of power's scales being tipped in Tova dance around one another until the pivotal climax that sets up Fevered Star, the sequel. For all of the exciting build-up to that climax, these books would be nothing without their characters. Serapio, Xiala, and Naranpa feel distinct and deserving each of the screen time they get. Even the supporting cast oozes originality and subverts expectations more than once.
A great start to a trilogy that promises to be a breath of fresh air!
Moderate: Body horror, Torture, and Xenophobia
Minor: Colonisation
Shoutout for a fantastic use of non-binary characters as part of a cultural setting and allowing them to feel like authentic, real people instead of caricatures of inclusivity!theasbookworld'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Religious bigotry
in_love_with_bookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I am the only storm that matters now, and there is no shelter from what I bring.
The story focuses on four main characters that are linked together with prophecies, massacres, and vengeance. And even though some of these characters don’t interact at all in this book, I can’t help but feel a sense of connection between them as the author takes time to establish the dynamics between all the characters with care and complexity.
The world-building is engaging and done really well. I was a little confused at the beginning but by the end of the book, I felt capable of envisioning the world and feel its history.
There are only two kinds of men: ones who betray you sooner and ones who betray you later
But I think we spend a lot of time where nothing happens plot-wise and I didn’t mind that because we had the chance to really know the characters, understand their motivations, and dig deeper into who they are and what are they capable of.
I also appreciated the balance between the fantastical elements of the book and the political intrigue as well as these two elements clash together to create a story that’s equally phenomenal and disturbing. Forbidden magic from one side and political intrigue from another, as all the characters converge to the same destination, we understand that things will turn out gruesome and bloody for them. It’s that sense of dread that keeps you from putting the book down.
A man with a destiny is a man who fears nothing
The only thing that I can complain about is that some of the characters felt sidelined and underutilized. They didn’t do much or offer much to the plot and they didn’t feel as incorporated in the conflict as well as the others but I think this could definitely be fixed in the next book. I also find the ending to be a little bit underwhelming but I guess it certainly opens up a lot of possibilities to the sequel.
The costliest mistake one can make is to underestemite one’s opponent through low expectations
All in all, this was an exhilarating experience filled with all the elements that make a great fantasy read, a great world-building, engaging plot, and well-written characters that have complex and fascinating dynamics. This is a unique story told in an engaging way and executed nearly perfectly.
Violence should only be used in defense, and even then, it corrupts. If you must kill your enemy, do it quickly and be done. To linger only invites humiliation of both the victim and the self, and there is no honor there.
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death
enbygolem'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
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Murder
melaniereadsbooks'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
This is a fantasy of absolutely epic proportions. I loved every single bit of it. Xiala is one of my new favorite characters of all time. I was immediately hooked on her storyline and character development.
I also loved Serapio and his story. There is so much going on there, and he is such an interesting character.
The plot of this book really took me by surprise. There was so much going on, from political rivalries, to religious sects, to sirens and villains and cults and everything, but it all flowed together really well.
Roanhorse's writing is delightful and accessible. I absolutely love how well she incorporates so much world-building in without making it feel like exposition drops or overly explanatory writing.
Honestly this book was incredible and I can't wait for the sequel.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Murder
whysomanysams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia