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roguephoenix7's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I read the first book years ago but I will say that it was easy to jump back into this book without being confused because the author does a good job of referencing past events with details that brought me back up to speed. However, I think this book suffers from second book syndrome. Rhine basically finishes the book right back where she started. I didn't feel like any of the events of the book have a lasting impact on the story and felt strung together for no real reason. The carnival in the beginning disappeared after the first 25% of the book and I found myself wondering what was the point. Unfortunately, the characters suffer from almost no character development which really drives in the fact that nothing really happens. At least the writing is easy to read and the book goes by quickly so it's not a waste of a read. Hopefully, the third book is stronger and has more purpose to finish the series out strong.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Addiction
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Abortion, and Death of parent
ariep's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
This book is intense. I definitely felt hooked, but it was a bleak read. This book had a lot of good symbolism and metaphors used throughout connecting it to the last book while also creating new perspectives and emotions. I also felt that there were many poetic points throughout the book, where the writing was beautiful and emotional, yet dark. I can’t say I liked it very much, as it was a very intense and dark plot, but I appreciate the commentary made throughout; especially about women and how their bodies are treated and seen by our society. It was rough, there were many horrific moments that felt a bit unnecessary, but I also understand their use in the point the author was trying to make. There are many content warning I feel I should add for this book. I hope the third one ends on a lighter note.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Sexual violence, Vomit, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Child abuse, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Addiction, Child death, Gun violence, Infertility, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Blood, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
This book has a lot of awful things happening in it, so it may be triggering to some people. I added a lot of content warnings because I felt that there were a lot of these things occurring throughout the book. The medical content is especially intense near the end of the book.cheshirevixen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Like the last book, I read this when I was way too young, and I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares after reading the end.
Overview
Characters: 2.4/7
- Personal Enjoyment: 3/5
- Interesting: 3/5
- Consistent: 1/5
- Development: 1/5
- Flaws: 2/5
- Relationships: 1/5
- Conflict: 3/5
Setting: 1/3
- Personal Enjoyment: 3/5
- Interesting: 2/5
- Internal Consistency: 0/5
Plot: 2.8/5
- Personal Enjoyment: 2/5
- Setup: 3/5
- Payoff: 3/5
- Logical: 3/5
- Pacing: 3/5
Characters:
All my favourite characters from the last book are absent in this one which is disappointing. I like the introduction of Lilac and her daughter, but they are the only characters I really liked. A lot of the side characters were creepy or interesting but not all that deep. I think that Gabriel, while at the bottom of my list of favourite characters in this series, has an interesting journey in this book, and Rhine was okay too.
Setting:
The carnival setting in the beginning of this book was beautifully creepy. Unfortunately the problems in the last book's setting were blown wide open in this book and I still felt like it has a lot of problems.
Plot:
The plot of this book was vastly superior to the last in my opinion. The mystery was more mysterious and there was a journey that had a lot of emotional significance. The reveals at the end were ... interesting, one made a lot of sense, another didn't make sense scientifically, and the last was a little out there to be honest, but not unbelievable.
I felt like I liked this much more the first time I read it, but it wasn't too bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Terminal illness, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
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