Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a super charming but slow start to a wonderful series! I binge-read the trilogy in a month and my only REAL complaint was that I finished too soon. Much of this book is set-up, with a dreadful creeping feeling of things taking place behind the scenes which we (and our protagonists) are not privy to, but I found it very enjoyable.
++ World Building: FANTASTIC. A fantasy series that draws on inspiration from more than just 50 European cultures and maybe one vague, often demonized in-text POC culture. The setting feels like a melting pot in a very organic and fascinating way, and the addition of how magic and monsters is mixed in really makes it shine.
+ Magic System: While often left vague, that also helps! The magic of the series is fascinating and runes-based, something I adore.
+ Characters: The characters may be a little flat in this first book, but in further entries they are fleshed out very well. Tea ends up becoming one of my favorite YA/New Adult protagonists later on, and no spoilers here but if you like morally gray heroes she may become one of yours too! The ensemble cast is still developing and being set-up here, but it's engaging and intriguing.
- Pacing: Not very good! Very slow, however it DOES pick up towards the end. Still, can be off-putting if you aren't willing to sit through the crawl of set-up that takes up most of this first book.
This book won't be for everyone, and that's okay! But if you're thinking about trying it out and want a fantasy series with morally gray characters and lovely world-building, give it a shot!
++ World Building: FANTASTIC. A fantasy series that draws on inspiration from more than just 50 European cultures and maybe one vague, often demonized in-text POC culture. The setting feels like a melting pot in a very organic and fascinating way, and the addition of how magic and monsters is mixed in really makes it shine.
+ Magic System: While often left vague, that also helps! The magic of the series is fascinating and runes-based, something I adore.
+ Characters: The characters may be a little flat in this first book, but in further entries they are fleshed out very well. Tea ends up becoming one of my favorite YA/New Adult protagonists later on, and no spoilers here but if you like morally gray heroes she may become one of yours too! The ensemble cast is still developing and being set-up here, but it's engaging and intriguing.
- Pacing: Not very good! Very slow, however it DOES pick up towards the end. Still, can be off-putting if you aren't willing to sit through the crawl of set-up that takes up most of this first book.
This book won't be for everyone, and that's okay! But if you're thinking about trying it out and want a fantasy series with morally gray characters and lovely world-building, give it a shot!
It was meh. Like someone said in a review, not much happens. The action is either right at the end of a chapter and the character doesn't remember it the next day, or it's not descriptive and all in the characters head. Towards the end, I didn't really care about the climax or anything, I just wanted to get through it.
I may or may not pick up the second one, but I'm not in a rush to finish the series.
I may or may not pick up the second one, but I'm not in a rush to finish the series.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
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
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
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
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Like Memoirs of a Geisha's protag but give her necromancy powers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Religious bigotry
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced