Scan barcode
awkwardimagination's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I actually finished this earlier but was on a plane and could not post so,,,
I really liked this one, not as much as the second book, but still a lot. I liked the locked room mystery, and how every book seems to be a different mystery/thriller trop each time. I was unable to predict who it actually was, but once it was revealed it made a lot of sense and the other plot twist at the end I also wasn't expecting but wasnt so far out of left field.
I am really excited for the fourth book, I think this is the first time one book has directly led into the next. Im assuming I dont actually know what the fourth book will be about specifically.
This book also followed the theme of Ropa relying and bonding with one of her companions on this quest. In the first book it was Jomo, in the second Priya, and in this one it was Callender. Which I loved, I love watching those two interact and bond, now also with Esifander.
I do wish we would get more of Ropa's thought process and conclusions, bc at the moment we have to wait for her to say it out loud to know what she's really up to/thinking about the situation.
I really liked this one, not as much as the second book, but still a lot. I liked the locked room mystery, and how every book seems to be a different mystery/thriller trop each time. I was unable to predict who it actually was, but once it was revealed it made a lot of sense and the other plot twist at the end I also wasn't expecting but wasnt so far out of left field.
I am really excited for the fourth book, I think this is the first time one book has directly led into the next. Im assuming I dont actually know what the fourth book will be about specifically.
This book also followed the theme of Ropa relying and bonding with one of her companions on this quest. In the first book it was Jomo, in the second Priya, and in this one it was Callender. Which I loved, I love watching those two interact and bond, now also with Esifander.
I do wish we would get more of Ropa's thought process and conclusions, bc at the moment we have to wait for her to say it out loud to know what she's really up to/thinking about the situation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, and Confinement
bergha1998's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Wow, this one was outstanding. I really liked the first two books, but this one was a refinement of everything I already liked. The mystery was well paced and interesting, the historical tidbits were even more interesting, and the humor continued to be top notch. I’m just sad the next one is so far off.
Mystery Fantasy, Found Family
“Words have great power. Through them we create reality.”
“The thing about armour is it’s heavy and weighs the wearer down. Yes, it protects you–for a while. But there’s a cost. It blinds you in certain ways too. You can’t see the full picture from behind your visor. All you catch is snapshots of a hostile world, and from that you draw your own assumptions. Carrying all that weight eventually exhausts you, and the determined enemy will find a chink if they prod long enough. I know, ’cause I’m wearing my own armour too.”
“But other people’s pain isn’t collateral damage. I can’t treat it like abstract theory.”
“I’m always amused by how historians value written records as primary sources. They’re full of lies anyway. Power doesn’t care about the truth.”
Mystery Fantasy, Found Family
“Words have great power. Through them we create reality.”
“The thing about armour is it’s heavy and weighs the wearer down. Yes, it protects you–for a while. But there’s a cost. It blinds you in certain ways too. You can’t see the full picture from behind your visor. All you catch is snapshots of a hostile world, and from that you draw your own assumptions. Carrying all that weight eventually exhausts you, and the determined enemy will find a chink if they prod long enough. I know, ’cause I’m wearing my own armour too.”
“But other people’s pain isn’t collateral damage. I can’t treat it like abstract theory.”
“I’m always amused by how historians value written records as primary sources. They’re full of lies anyway. Power doesn’t care about the truth.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Violence, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Medical content, Murder, Blood, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders
More...