Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Red Sister

Albeit an interesting read, filled with wonderful writing, thoughts and several "perfect sentences", I can't help but feel let down by the blandness of the clichéd world and characters. Pretty predictable in most cases, the world-building is uninspiring and the antagonists are one-dimensional.

The world seemingly tries not to be Earth, yet they use the Arabic alphabet. That was pretty unnecessary and immersion shattering. Then, the main villain of this book is evil just because he is, fueled by his genetics that make him strong way above average ("fingers around which a child can't wrap their own fingers", and then predictably he gets possessed by demons and becomes even eviler. Give me a break.

None of the characters seem to matter or their deeds to carry enough weight. It is obvious what everyone's next move will be, there's no surprise, whole most of the storyline could have happened without them. When they perish, that fact doesn't really do much in this grim world.

A tortured donkey elicits a bigger emotional response than most of the people who have very little to their character besides some quirks. Possibly because that is the only instance where some sort of justice isn't served instantly.

There are some other clichés, like an implied sci-fi past, which is fine though not much is revealed, and two types of magical power sources: the one that can be "tapped" into at the risk of corruption, and the other that grants more power while in the proximity of some sort of "phlebotinum". Yet, my biggest issue with the whole book was obviously the troublesome eugenics trope. Not only is it boring that some people are different without merit, but it is a stupid and dangerous idea, as anyone with common sense has already realised. This idea doesn't help the narrative as it doesn't involve me, as a reader, deeper into the lore. It doesn't serve as a key element to the plot, the book could have done without it. I just shake my head whenever it is mentioned. And then there are "blood mixings" with some of the people being "pure" while others even a "perfect mix" of sorts. Don't get me wrong: the book is not racist in the modern sense, but this idea – that some are born to be better in some way than those of different bloodlines – is just lame to me and averts me from the world of the novel.

In many ways, it is an ambiguous novel, with some qualities shining through the lines, while some problems drag it down into the mediocre. Exposure is often written just a few breaths before they become relevant, while some events are embedded throughout and serve as a genuine surprise in retrospect. It often reads like a young adult novel, with ideas that have been old and overused more than twenty years ago. Yet, there are plentiful gems inside it in terms of engaging, masterful writing and witty thoughts that make it rise above the average young adult novel (and increase my rating). For that alone, it was a worthwhile journey.

Sadly the ending, while pretty much sudden and a cutting off with a cliffhanger, doesn't draw me to explore further.

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kimia_hyperfocuser's review

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adventurous dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I'm glad I followed my curiosity and read this, assassin nun training school is an intriguing setting that could have easily been ruined with overdone tropes and cheesiness. Luckily, it wasn't!
The world building is so creative, and it gives the story such bitter grey vibes. It's set in the distant future when the Sun is not as hot anymore, so the earth is covered with ice except a narrows corridor along the equator. Aliens landed on earth at some point and mixed with humans, which is how we get the magic system. I also loved the combination of the magic system and the theology of the Path. Very original.
The LGBTQ representation is also my favorite kind: casual. The same sex couples are just there, not fetishized but also not hidden. They don't get persecuted within the world of the story (I can forgive the implausibility of an agricultural society not being patriarchal), and their relationship has a role in the plot without taking over their entire characters.
Also, am I reading too much into this or is Nona, the main character, neurodivergent? She's bad with people, she zones out in class, and it annoys her that something square-shaped is called "the ring". It may just be that the writer is trying to give her quirks, tho.
Some things I didn't like: how the

betryal for money

was so obviously going to happen. The clues were so in-your-face that I thought it was definitely a red herring, but nope. Also there are some plot necessities that I just can't get with, like how adults have important conversations right in front of children, or how ~~Dumbledore~~ the trustworthy dependable adult just happens to be unavailable when the children finally decide to go to them with their crisis.
Other than that, though, I'm looking forward to book 2.

Content Warnings

kylieqrada's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

4.5 ⭐s. This d e f i n i t e l y lived up to the hype!?!?! So many things I love in my fantasy: magical assassin nuns, magic school setting, sapphic romance, strong female characters (written by a man, like what?), intense magic system, great world building, betrayal, NEED I SAY MORE?? I'm so ready for the next book.

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