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scrubsandbooks'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
4.0
It was, however, a slow go for me because there was a lot going on at once. I took down one star because there were a wide amount of characters whose POVs we got to see but I felt not enough time was spent with them. When some characters were killed off, I felt nothing, and I felt like I was unsure if I was supposed to or not. I feel like having less POVs telling the story would have made for a better story but I am absolutely going to be picking up the sequel of this.
Graphic: Drug use, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, War, Body horror, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Misogyny and Classism
seabanshee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This isn’t a bad book by any means. Many people adore the pacing and characterizations whereas I felt that nothing was happening for 70% of the book. I rated it higher than what I intended because there were some parts that I really enjoyed, and I thought the creative execution was stunning. And subjectively, I don’t think this book deserves a 1 or 2 star rating because it’s a great book for what it is.
Characters
Priya’s a great protagonist. She’s clever, kind-hearted, determined to do what she feels is right despite others telling her she’s wrong, and just fierce. She’s a survivor with a rich yet traumatic pass, and her conflict between past, present, and future is an interesting take. She and Rao were my favorites; I felt they had the best characterizations in the book.
Malini was my least favorite. I found her incredibly unlikable despite her circumstances and unfair position (maybe that’s the point, but it’s still unclear). Every time I read her POV, I was filled with frustration and anger. She was always lying and trying to use people, and I understand that was the only tactic she had. It’s understandable. However, having her POV and witness her true intentions toward Priya, the incredibly likable main protagonist—it’s a tall order to ask me to like her. Not to mention the number of times Malini made mental notes of how Priya wasn’t lovely or pretty appearance wise. Such a turn off. Every time she said “I’ve always been my true self to you” or “I’ve never lied to you,” I rolled my eyes because she, of course, was lying. The only time I really felt any sympathy for her was when she reunited with her brother, and he was a cowardly dick to her due to his chosen ignorance of her pain.
Rao was very likable, like Priya, and I felt his setup was incredibly interesting albeit predictable. I knew from the moment I met Malini that she wouldn’t sit on the sideline; she’d rule. I feel the course of events made that very obvious, so it makes me wish Rao’s prophecy was a bit more…unpredictable or grand? But it served its purpose.
Romance
As I mentioned, I didn’t like Malini or how she constantly wanted to use Priya, so I genuinely could not care about their romance. Their interactions felt incredibly dull after knowing Malini’s perspective. Then when they finally kissed, it felt so rushed and out of place because I felt zero chemistry from them considering their situations and mindsets. It really felt like insta-love despite it happening around the 70-80% mark. I feel like Priya had more of an interesting relationship with the Yaksa.
Lore
Hands down the best part of the book for me. The lore was crafted so well, and my reaction was a mix of awe and horror. From the rot-ridden corpses to their shapeshifting abilities to the sacred wood daggers for hollowing, it was beautifully executed and was singlehandedly the only thing that kept me reading. I don’t know if I’ll continue this series, but I would love to read more on this cosmic creatures shrouded in mystery.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Moderate: Death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Classism, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Torture, and Sexism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
raneyak'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
4.5
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Ableism, Colonisation, Death, and Classism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Domestic abuse
drlove2018'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Suicide, Lesbophobia, Classism, War, Drug use, Death, Addiction, Confinement, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror
mistyfoot19'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
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Abandonment, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Blood, War, Sexism, Pregnancy, Medical content, Homophobia, Grief, Classism, and Colonisation
kilic'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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Violence, Child death, Death, Gore, Grief, and War
poetry_shaman'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
3.75
Graphic: Classism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Child abuse, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
lore369'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
3.75
Graphic: Drug use, Gore, Classism, Violence, and Death
doubledevour's review against another edition
Graphic: Colonisation, Child death, Genocide, Classism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Religious bigotry, Grief, Body horror, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug use
mlovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The main characters are writting so well. Buhmika, Priya, and Malani are so fleshed-out and interesting.
I cannot wait for the sequel.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation