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dellydoos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What's becoming increasingly evident in these novels is that, while they are undeniably plot-driven, the characters are gradually developing deeper relationships and growing more complex with each installment. Take Kate, for instance; she remains an absolute joy to read about, but as a reader, you're left in the dark about much of her backstory. The series cleverly parcels out morsels of her upbringing and the intricacies of her tortured past, building a captivating sense of mystery as the narrative unfolds. Personally, I'm loving the gradual revelation, it's keeping me hooked book after book. However, for those seeking the full story right from book one, they might find themselves perhaps teased, as the series unfolds its secrets to only loyalists who stay with the series.
The other thing that gets easier to understand is the world building. In the first book, it was a really strange concept to get your head around, that this is a modern city with fantasy creatures- but the city has fallen into disrepair since the magic switch occurred years ago... and now all these technologies; water-powered cars, faelaterns and m-scanners run the city. It was a lot in the first book. But as the series progresses, the once perplexing landscape becomes more familiar, offering a deeper connection and context to the intricate blend of magic and technology.
Yet, my lone grievance lies in the writing's simplicity. The lack of detailed descriptions leaves me yearning for more answers regarding the plot's mysteries and the motivations of certain characters. The abrupt endings, occurring swiftly after the climax, leave loose ends dangling, a narrative choice that I'm hoping gets answered in following books.
But so far I'm having the time of my life reading this series. The writing, whilst simple and sometimes lacking detailed description, has just the funniest and sarcastic tone. Kate's inner monologue as me cackling, she's just a delight. And the romance is just delicious, and so far no one's even gotten together! Perfection, this means I won't get bored by book 3.
Onwards! 4/5 stars.
Graphic: Animal death
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
It's surprising how much a long series can blend into itself and warp when you think things happen. This is furthered by the offshoots and novellas for different POVs. This time around I'm going to try reading everything in chronological order rather than publication order.
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Medical content, Murder, Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cancer, Grief, and Kidnapping
kristen1994'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: Violence and Blood
Minor: Grief, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Animal death
relin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Violence, Murder, Gore, Sexual harassment, Death, Blood, Racism, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Animal death
Moderate: Outing, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Sexism, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
Racism is fantasy racism where a new group of people are being discriminated against, just in case that helps. Animal deaths - one off screen but discussed, one on screen but magical animal.rbash2391's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Death, Gore, Animal cruelty, Sexism, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Cannibalism, and Rape
librarymouse'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gore, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Animal death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Violence, Blood, and Body horror
booksthatburn'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
This picks up on the last known status of a bunch of plot threads but isn't trying to wrap them up, really (except for Crest). It continues Kate's entanglements with the Pack and the People, and shows her involvement with the Mercenary Guild and the Order but isn't focusing on them as much this time around. There's a new storyline featuring some new characters (a few who won't continue past here and some who will be series regulars), but even that has a connection to a minor character who appeared in MAGIC BITES. That storyline has a major thing that is both introduced and resolved in this book. There are several things explicitly left for later which involve changes to the status quo. The main character is still Kate, her voice is consistent with the previous book. It might make sense to start here because this is laying so much groundwork of its own, but the dynamic between Kate and the Pack (specifically but not only Curran) definitely benefits from being read after the first book, since otherwise Curran's strong personality can be a bit off-putting when it lacks the context of Kate's opening salvo to their interactions in MAGIC BITES.
This book begins with a map theft and stays pretty focused on the characters important to that initial incident, while building out the world in specific ways. This introduces the witch covens as an important power in the city, shows some factions within the Pack, and deals with a different set of gods that are upsettingly more relevant during the Flare. Bran, Andrea, and Julie provide three completely different sets of problems and opportunities, keeping this from feeling like just a stepping stone to later books.
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, and Animal death
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Ableism, Cursing, Excrement, Murder, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Cannibalism, Cancer, Rape, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Sexual content
brennaa'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Terminal illness, Cancer, Kidnapping, Medical content, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Animal death, and Death of parent
angelareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence