Scan barcode
quasinaut's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
And while I adore Elliot and his (mis)adventures the most, I also deeply love how the author has built this world that's filled with magical creatures and adventure, but also militaristic hubris and sexism and xenophobia.
So good. No notes.
Graphic: Xenophobia, War, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
nishana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this is a character-driven story that follows our protagonist, elliot, from age 13 to 17, as he grows up away from the human world in a place called the borderlands. here, he befriends serene (and elven warrior who he quickly develops a crush on) and luke (an attractive boy who everyone seems to like... except for elliot). whilst there is discussion of war and combat within the story, most of this occurs off-page as elliot has little interest in violence. instead, the story focuses on elliot's friendships, romantic relationships and all of the angst and self-confidence issues that comes with being a teenager who has not-so-great parents.
the story has a lot of focus on elliot's flaws, mainly his sometimes judgemental nature and lack of consideration for other people's feelings. we see his insecurities about people in his life not liking him and how this stems from having an absent mother and a father who doesn't care. most importantly, we see how he tries to work on these issues and even by the end of the novel, we are shown that it's a work-in-progress, rather than something that he's completely solved and overcome. i appreciate the authenticity of this, because in reality, most of us will spend a lifetime trying to become better people. it's an important message to send, especially in a young adult novel.
there's also some really great queer rep in this, with our main character being bisexual and a few other supporting/minor characters being gay. elliot dates both boys and girls throughout the book and has a particularly messy love life, as one would expect for a teenager. it's incredibly fun to read though, and there's plenty of humour throughout it that kept me rolling on the floor.
if you're looking for a cozy fantasy with themes of teenagehood, this is the story to read. it's cute, funny and quite easy to read as well.
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, Sexual harassment, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Homophobia and War
fragrant_stars'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
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Alcohol, War, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Body horror, Infertility, Bullying, Death, Slavery, and Violence
turrean's review
- 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
I started the book having read only a few reader reviews and so found myself constantly thinking I’d plumbed the story’s depths…and then having to revise.
**Just a note that I felt mislead by the occasional illustrations into thinking I was reading a book for middle graders.**
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Body horror, Death, and Infidelity
axel_p's review
- 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
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Confinement, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, War, Alcohol, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, Biphobia, Body horror, Xenophobia, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Slavery, and Violence
tetedump'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
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Child abuse, Violence, and War
artstitute'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
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment and War
Moderate: Biphobia and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
20sidedbi'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
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, War, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism
ameliez's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, War, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Biphobia
wizardowl's review
- 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: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, War, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Blood, Abandonment, Biphobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content