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wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
Political intrigue ✔️
Royal massacre ✔️
Gladiators fighting to the death ✔️
Pining/yearning ✔️
Revenge ✔️
Magic system ✔️
Found family vibes ✔️
The magic system is interesting and includes: magiers (elemental mages), masters (people with affinity for working with something specific like cooking, or metal/stone working, etc.), morphs (people who shift into a bigger, stronger version of themselves, denoted with a mark on their body), and mutts (people with an enhanced sense or ability like speed/strength).
There is one main thing I thought was out of place and it was some of the terminology being modern words (specifically newb) when they are in a seeming quasi-traditional historical-adjacent fantasy setting. Like, they have modern plumbing, but their lights are magic, they have ovens and timers but it's never described how they are working, things along those lines. Basically, a mishmash of world building which felt a bit sloppy.
Admittedly, it did feel like a YA that was aged up. The main character is 27 years old but acts like someone in their early twenties if I'm being generous. Their backstory is that they are cautious and wary, hides their emotions, plays their part and does their duty to survive, and then a big plot point happens and they do a complete upheaval of their character traits. It's not unbelievable, but it was a bit jarring. Someone that spent 15 years trying to fade into the background doesn't suddenly become bold with witty rejoinders. It is a stretch in believability and felt out of character.
Despite these minor issues that would jolt me out of immersion, I enjoyed this and plan to continue to the next book in the series.
Royal massacre ✔️
Gladiators fighting to the death ✔️
Pining/yearning ✔️
Revenge ✔️
Magic system ✔️
Found family vibes ✔️
The magic system is interesting and includes: magiers (elemental mages), masters (people with affinity for working with something specific like cooking, or metal/stone working, etc.), morphs (people who shift into a bigger, stronger version of themselves, denoted with a mark on their body), and mutts (people with an enhanced sense or ability like speed/strength).
There is one main thing I thought was out of place and it was some of the terminology being modern words (specifically newb) when they are in a seeming quasi-traditional historical-adjacent fantasy setting. Like, they have modern plumbing, but their lights are magic, they have ovens and timers but it's never described how they are working, things along those lines. Basically, a mishmash of world building which felt a bit sloppy.
Admittedly, it did feel like a YA that was aged up. The main character is 27 years old but acts like someone in their early twenties if I'm being generous. Their backstory is that they are cautious and wary, hides their emotions, plays their part and does their duty to survive, and then a big plot point happens and they do a complete upheaval of their character traits. It's not unbelievable, but it was a bit jarring. Someone that spent 15 years trying to fade into the background doesn't suddenly become bold with witty rejoinders. It is a stretch in believability and felt out of character.
Despite these minor issues that would jolt me out of immersion, I enjoyed this and plan to continue to the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Blood, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Racism, Confinement, Cursing, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Murder, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Child death, Classism, Death, and War
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