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llayaz's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rebelkiss's review
5.0
I loved this book and I wasn’t sure I would. Except for hearing the word Serenity five million times, I found I couldn’t get enough! How long until the sequel??
flyingryndeer's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Confinement
tvislife's review
medium-paced
4.0
I really, really loved this story but man do I wish the names were easier. It follows a goblin / elven boy, Maia, who is suddenly thrust into the world of politics as the role of emperor when his family is killed.
Maia is such a likable and empathetic character. Throughout the whole novel, I just wanted to hold him and be his friend and protect him from the shitty situation he was in. He wasn’t the only interesting character, The politics were cool, but Jesus. I could NOT keep any of the names straight, or the different factions. Maybe because I read it over a longer period of time than most books I read, but man it could be hard to follow. Other than the main handful of people, I had no who anyone was. But it was still fun! The ending was anticlimactic, but the story was sill worth it, and again, I loved Maia. I recommend, but with the caveat that only hardcore political fantasy fans would probably be able to get into it.
Maia is such a likable and empathetic character. Throughout the whole novel, I just wanted to hold him and be his friend and protect him from the shitty situation he was in. He wasn’t the only interesting character, The politics were cool, but Jesus. I could NOT keep any of the names straight, or the different factions. Maybe because I read it over a longer period of time than most books I read, but man it could be hard to follow. Other than the main handful of people, I had no who anyone was. But it was still fun! The ending was anticlimactic, but the story was sill worth it, and again, I loved Maia. I recommend, but with the caveat that only hardcore political fantasy fans would probably be able to get into it.
fitzofinspiration's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
rsantorella's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
emmaloho's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
5.0
I couldn't tell you if this book was objectively good because it was so subjectively my taste I feel like I did drugs. I started lightly recommending it to people when I was maybe 20% through while making small talk about what we were all reading and by the time I got to about 75% plot was making me cry and I was wishing I could take it back because anyone who reads it now knows too much about me. irl friends if you're reading this please don't psychoanalyze me, my besties already read me to filth. It just really hits all those fantasies about someone good getting power, you know? Just a sad little guy but also everyone loves him bc he's actually a good person and therefore everything will work out in a way that was earnest enough to make me ache but not so obnoxious to ever make me cringe, although that threshold is of course different for everyone, and comes down to personal taste. For every emotional confrontation and conversation I was so right there along with the main character and his decisions, whereas normally I'm all but screaming at a book for someone to be say something else. Again, probably that's just me, or maybe Addison is just that good at writing compelling characters, but I'm the wrong person to ascertain the difference. The book was long but not dense, the narration captured my attention easily every time I picked it up, and the pacing never slouched, it never felt like a slog to get through a chapter and on to something more exciting. my only less emotional review was that all the names and titles were very hard to remember even with a good memory, so reading it on the ebook was great because I could search the characters name to see not only their blurb in the list of characters, but also where they've come up previously in the plot. 5/5 stars and I'm going back to therapy.
jrpgirlie's review
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
twistedneurotix's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ladypants's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really lovely. Honestly a wonderful world of cort politics and a great fully flushed setting. So many names, but somehow it worked. My main complaint is that I wanted more of a story or a sequel. I just want more!