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persephonefoxx'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Classism, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness
widowrites's review
- 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
I’m hesitant to continue the series. I’m worried the other books will have the same initial slow pace. But mostly, and spoilers ahead, I’m worried about Firth and how he’s portrayed in later books. He’s a manipulative, disgusting person. But there are times when I’m not sure if the author intends for him to seem that way. If he continues to be a main character and his flaws aren’t addressed, and corrected, then he needs to be a villain. I’ll have to think on whether I want to take that chance and continue the series.
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Hate crime
Minor: Kidnapping and Cultural appropriation
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm still grappling with a few of our characters, though, and their roles as the series progresses. Mira, in particular, half-folk and a border agent for the city, attempting to affect change from within, has me unsure of Chan's intention for the story and thoughts on resistance to violent systems. I'm interested to see where the series goes from here, as I really enjoyed the expansion of the world at the end, the potential directions the sequel can take, and the many possibilities that lie ahead for all of our characters. I am grateful to have multiple POVs, and probably enjoyed our sea witch's story the most. These are all flawed characters, grappling with their own insecurities and ambition as they question their loyalties to each other, and fantasy readers who particularly enjoy character work will appreciate this series start.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an advanced reader's copy!
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Classism, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Murder, Death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
Minor: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Drug use
bookboxbabe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
(2.75)
folks 👏🏻
this was…something. a good something? not particularly
let’s start with what i enjoyed:
the world. this was asian inspired and the world was very unique, although it wasn’t fleshed out well. the author just kind of throws you into the deep end (pun intended) and you’re just supposed to figure things out with no support
now, onto my gripes.
1) you could make a drinking game out of this book. take a shot everytime the word fathomfolk is used. you’ll be drunk by chapter 3
2) i didn’t care about any of these characters. you’re supposed to feel betrayal and love and all these emotions clearly, but i just could not care any less about anyone in this book. who am i even supposed to be rooting for? i have no idea cause everyone is flat and confusing
3) what in the world was the plot? things just kind of happened for the sake of happening and it felt like nothing really served an overarching purpose besides at the very end. i don’t like that.
4) the pacing. we would be with these characters for hours and then the next paragraph would be a time jump for some unknown reason. you never really understood when or where you were until halfway through the chapter and then it jerks you the other way again. was very jarring and i hated it
if you liked the movie raya and the last dragon & also love the little mermaid an ungodly amount, you might find aspects of this enjoyable
i’ll still read the next book because i’m mildly curious where the hell we’re going from here, but i’m not shaking in my boots for it
Moderate: Death, Classism, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Murder, Blood, and Racism
Minor: Slavery
errie's review
3.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Hate crime, Death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Drug abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Deportation, Injury/Injury detail, and Trafficking
nickel_books'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Racism, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Deportation, Fire/Fire injury, Chronic illness, Classism, Racial slurs, Trafficking, Death, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Violence
mjscooke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Kidnapping, Racism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Gaslighting, Confinement, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
macaronoui's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Graphic: Police brutality, Kidnapping, Torture, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Death, Murder, Classism, Ableism, Blood, and Trafficking