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spaghettii'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
4.75
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Transphobia, Confinement, Sexism, Drug use, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Torture, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
booksanna'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
4.75
Firstly, Yelena’s characterization was done very well. Her personality felt unique and realistic, and her humor has made me chuckle multiple times throughout the book. Her trauma and backstory felt very real and emotional, it added a great depth to the story and made me slightly concerned for the main heroine’s mental health. Her search for a friend and understanding amongst this madness made me root for her even more. And I loved how Yelena didn’t settle for a role of a damsel in distress and instead chose to repay the people that helped her.
Secondly, the world building was an interesting concept inspired by a militaristic society with a dictator with unusual traits typically not associated with powerful leaders. I actually enjoyed the backstory of the Commander and how he gained his power. It’s really interesting a country switch from a feudalist system to a totalitarian system.
Thirdly, although I really enjoyed the story I have some bones to pick with it. The romance between the love interest and the MC seems to have sparked from nowhere. The buildup to the confession didn’t create tension or explain why the characters fell for each other. It seemed to have just happened for the sake of the story rather than the characters own actions. I also thought Valek having every job possible and still interacting with the MC and getting sleep was highly impossible. How is he doing all that ? Otherwise I enjoyes the story.
Graphic: Torture, Rape, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
sienna1508's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Grief, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Child death, Excrement, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
k_o's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Vomit, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
lisa_m's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think the reason I didn't like it as much as I could have is how much YA Fantasy I have already read. At some point it just starts to become repetitive. I really hope that is not true though because I love YA Fantasy. :( If I read this book 2 years ago I would have probably liked it more.
Another concern I had was that certain serious topics where discussed quite graphically which I don't like and which always makes me uncomfortable. It was used to establish Yelenas character and her past trauma but still I wished it had been less graphic.
Nonetheless I will definitely be reading the following books of the series. I also hope Ari and Janco will be in the next booka as well since they were my favourite characters. (Btw. I thought their friendship could have been established better. They basically went from not knowing Yelena to wanting to die for her which felt very rushed.) I guess I just wished it was longer but since it is the first book of a series that's not really a big issue.
Edit: One more thing. I didn't expect the romance to be Between thlse two people for two reasons. 1. it was underdeveloped and 2. he is 33 and she is 19!! I didn't even realise it that much while reading the book but at first I did think he was going to be a sort of mentor/father figure. When they started hinting at a romance I aged him down in my mind but now that I finished the book I looked it up and he really is 33! Idk what to think about that tbh
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Deadnaming, Death, Sexual harassment, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
tiredtori'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
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, and Violence
Minor: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit, Addiction, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Excrement, and Kidnapping
berd's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, and Gore
Minor: Deadnaming