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zias's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Blood, and Alcohol
taylora's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Incest
leedolee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I've always been fascinated by the idea of shadows existing as separate and living entities so this book certainly fit the bill. It was a great and entertaining read and had a world I will surely return to when the sequel is released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Alcohol, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Violence, Body horror, Death, and Murder
lost_windsock's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This story captured my attention from the first page. The back and forth between the past and present was compelling, and the shadow magic was interesting and well executed. There was plenty of action and a lot of tense moments, and it just flowed so perfectly and had me hanging on every interaction and decision Charlie made.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Gun violence, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Murder
chrisduhbird's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Blood
Minor: Addiction and Sexual content
leahfoko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was so good. It took me a little bit to get into the story and understand the world because there was a lot to it, but once I was hooked I was hooked. I felt like I was able to predict some of the twists but at that the same time I had no idea what was coming. The plot beats and surprises were the kind that looking back maybe should’ve been obvious but they felt like HUGE surprises at the time and were so unique from the kind of plot points you’d expect in a fantasy. Which is the best kind, the kind where all the pieces were set up for you along the way and you put the puzzle together as Charlie did.
Speaking of Charlie, at times I got kind of annoyed at her character for being bullheaded but that was also who she was and I couldn’t fault her for that at the end of the day because she needed to be that way to develop as a character and get to where she was at the end of the book.
I really felt while reading this book that I had never read anything like it before and that is saying something. Holly Black once again coming in with the unique and wonderful world building. I also really liked that the story wrapped up pretty succinctly at the end while also leaving me intrigued for the second book. For a bit there I wasn’t sure what was going to be left to keep me hooked into wanting to read book two, but then she did it! Last minute hook to keep me coming back for more, while also feeling like the book could stand pretty well on its own if it needed to. I really appreciated that.
Overall I really liked this book, I’m going with 4.5 stars because it took a bit to get going and at times I felt a bit confused and lost trying to keep track of all the pieces of information about the world that were coming my way that it felt a bit like an overload of information at times. But that comes with the elaborate world building at times. I would definitely recommend this book though to fans of Holly Black!
Speaking of Charlie, at times I got kind of annoyed at her character for being bullheaded but that was also who she was and I couldn’t fault her for that at the end of the day because she needed to be that way to develop as a character and get to where she was at the end of the book.
I really felt while reading this book that I had never read anything like it before and that is saying something. Holly Black once again coming in with the unique and wonderful world building. I also really liked that the story wrapped up pretty succinctly at the end while also leaving me intrigued for the second book. For a bit there I wasn’t sure what was going to be left to keep me hooked into wanting to read book two, but then she did it! Last minute hook to keep me coming back for more, while also feeling like the book could stand pretty well on its own if it needed to. I really appreciated that.
Overall I really liked this book, I’m going with 4.5 stars because it took a bit to get going and at times I felt a bit confused and lost trying to keep track of all the pieces of information about the world that were coming my way that it felt a bit like an overload of information at times. But that comes with the elaborate world building at times. I would definitely recommend this book though to fans of Holly Black!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Classism, Child abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Sexual content
bobigail's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Classism
Minor: Addiction and Torture
readsbymoonlight's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
speckledstars's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I found the beginning of the book rather slow. The world building is subpar, and the characters don’t have much depth. At times, the plot was confusing and I found myself looking back to what I’d read. If I hadn’t bought the book, I likely would’ve DNFed.
I only started to be interested in the last half of the book. The plot twists were well done and all the right details were left out until the end. It redeemed itself to a point, but there is definitely a layer missing to this book.
I only started to be interested in the last half of the book. The plot twists were well done and all the right details were left out until the end. It redeemed itself to a point, but there is definitely a layer missing to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Incest and Sexual content
lous_clues's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
TLDR; More fast mystery than modern fantasy, but fun for a weekend read
If you're like me, and this is my review so let's say you are for the hell of it, you came to this book as a reader of The Cruel Prince series eager to discover Black's transition into the adult genre. Also, for context, I recently finished ACOTAR and was looking for something similar. The blurbs here promised a "modern dark fantasy", "scintillating prose", "a bit of kink", "hot sex, a breathless plot", and a "gripping ride." Color me intrigued. However, while I found this book incredibly fun, I think its packaging misled me on several fronts.
Let it be known Black takes on a hefty task throughout this novel--multiple POV's, multiple timelines, a complex magic system with its own lingo and history, and a heist meets who-dun-it mystery with its own cohort of characters, suspects, and red herrings. At a digestible 300-ish pages, that's quite a lot to accomplish. I found that the plot often pressed forward at the sacrifice of complex characters. A bit of backstory is given, sure, but most characters exist as their 1-2 loudest traits and not much more. Charlie is lovable and fun, but the catchphrases that describe her became more a crutch than a show of consistency.
As for the mystery, I imagine a great many might predict those final twists. This doesn't mean the journey is without satisfaction. There are so many details to track and with our girl Charlie often thinking through it herself as a quick-witted heroine, it takes on the communal feel of an escape room. Team building! I did become bogged down with the sheer number of names and side incidents, but perhaps the fast reading length with be a worthy trade for some readers.
"Modern" seems to point to frequent pop culture references that don't distract, but also don't add much. I found myself craving Black's flair for fantasy. The world-nearly-like-our-own seemed to restrict more than empower plot and some references were so niche, I wonder how the book will read in 5 years.
As for the "hot sex?" Maybe my copy was missing a chapter. If you're looking for something like Maas here, or even the slow burn romance in Black's own TCP, you will not find it here. In fact, the romance itself felt at most half-baked. You still have plenty of mystery and grit to sink your teeth into, but the only image that had my toes curling was the ever-present blood.
Adjust your expectations and dive in for a fun, albeit slightly forgettable read.
If you're like me, and this is my review so let's say you are for the hell of it, you came to this book as a reader of The Cruel Prince series eager to discover Black's transition into the adult genre. Also, for context, I recently finished ACOTAR and was looking for something similar. The blurbs here promised a "modern dark fantasy", "scintillating prose", "a bit of kink", "hot sex, a breathless plot", and a "gripping ride." Color me intrigued. However, while I found this book incredibly fun, I think its packaging misled me on several fronts.
Let it be known Black takes on a hefty task throughout this novel--multiple POV's, multiple timelines, a complex magic system with its own lingo and history, and a heist meets who-dun-it mystery with its own cohort of characters, suspects, and red herrings. At a digestible 300-ish pages, that's quite a lot to accomplish. I found that the plot often pressed forward at the sacrifice of complex characters. A bit of backstory is given, sure, but most characters exist as their 1-2 loudest traits and not much more. Charlie is lovable and fun, but the catchphrases that describe her became more a crutch than a show of consistency.
As for the mystery, I imagine a great many might predict those final twists. This doesn't mean the journey is without satisfaction. There are so many details to track and with our girl Charlie often thinking through it herself as a quick-witted heroine, it takes on the communal feel of an escape room. Team building! I did become bogged down with the sheer number of names and side incidents, but perhaps the fast reading length with be a worthy trade for some readers.
"Modern" seems to point to frequent pop culture references that don't distract, but also don't add much. I found myself craving Black's flair for fantasy. The world-nearly-like-our-own seemed to restrict more than empower plot and some references were so niche, I wonder how the book will read in 5 years.
As for the "hot sex?" Maybe my copy was missing a chapter. If you're looking for something like Maas here, or even the slow burn romance in Black's own TCP, you will not find it here. In fact, the romance itself felt at most half-baked. You still have plenty of mystery and grit to sink your teeth into, but the only image that had my toes curling was the ever-present blood.
Adjust your expectations and dive in for a fun, albeit slightly forgettable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood