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Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Death, Xenophobia, Blood
Minor: Sexual assault
Characters: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Setting: 4.5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Enjoyment: 5⭐️
TOTAL ROUNDED RATING: 5 ⭐️
SPICE: N/A
"A ravine won't water crops or quench the dying. At some point, there has to be a river, or what good can you really claim? If the man of good intentions never manifests a river, only calamity, should he not be damned to hell?
But it doesn't seem fair.
But it's only fair to the world he leaves behind."
I am beside myself. This story hit so hard with its themes of sexism, racism, colonialism, classism, you name it, while providing insightful dialogue about the ethical and moral implications of these choices imposed on fellow human beings. I'll forever be thinking about the conversation between Thomil and Sciona regarding the difference between a person's intent and the consequences that influence their judgment at the end of life, and how this plays out in the book.
The magic system in this book is the most complex I’ve ever read in a fantasy, incorporating elements of computer programming and drawing parallels to real-world industrial and technological advancements and their impact on the environment and civilization.
Everything about this book serves as a mirror reflecting past and present political power struggles and their devastating effects on marginalized communities. My heart broke not just for the characters in this story but also for the world we live in, where these issues are still prevalent.
While the book ends with a sense of hope, I'm anguished over the fact that we are at the beginning/middle of our current story.
This book is a must-read for high school and college students, and would be a great book club pick.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Suicide
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Infertility, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Death
Sciona was an interesting character- at times I loved seeing her success as a female in a male dominated field, but other times, she was hard to connect with because of her ego, lack of human connection, religious fervour, and ignorance (of the Kwen plight, particularly). However, I truly enjoyed seeing her growth as a person and a mage as her friendship with Thomil progressed. Her character showed a lot of growth and progressive depth. I really liked Thomil and appreciated having his POV from time to time, as it provided an alternate perspective to the typical Tiran citizen.
Overall, I waffled with rating this 4.75 vs 5 stars and ultimately went with 4.75 because I didn't always connect with Sciona and also
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Blood, Classism
Moderate: Infertility, Sexual assault, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Cannibalism
Giving this book 4.5/5 stars because I just didn't feel that attached to the main character, Sciona. Other than that lacking emotional connection, this story was great and I'll definitely be recommending it to others in the future.
Last note, please be mindful of the trigger warnings. There are quite a few that I've tried to mark in my review.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Colonisation
Moderate: Bullying, Infertility, Police brutality, Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cannibalism
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment