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mandkips's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Slavery, Misogyny, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Death, Violence, Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide
jolovestoread's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
There were a few supernatural elements with the tattoos that glow when covered as they are made from ink beyond the veil (or of the veil?) and also the vengeful spirits that are the ghosts of people who have passed away and literally can rip you to shreds, but you cannot see them.
It breaks my heart to know that this kind of world does exist in quite a similar way still for many girls and women. I wish it wasn't so, this is quite a heavy topic, but it isn't a depressing book.
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Child abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
bearbooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Minor: Sexual assault
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
So I really loved this book! The beginning is so intense and really hooks you into the story. I was immediately empathetic toward Clementine and Aster, and needed them to succeed!
As the story went on, the pacing slowed down a bit and there were gaps when not much was happening. I grew to really care about all of the characters, but I was especially invested in what was happening with Aster and Violet.
I think it would have been very interesting for this story to have had multiple POVs instead of just Aster, and I hope to see more POVs in the sequel.
Pacing picked back up again at the end, with a lot of intense scenes. The ending was very satisfying but still left me wanting more! I cannot wait to see what happens next.
The world building was rich and beautiful. This is such a scary world, unsafe for "dustbloods", particularly women, but it is so interesting to see the mix of fantasy elements with western fiction. I adored this book!
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Rape, and Torture
morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, Drug use, Slavery, Death, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Medical trauma, Grief, and Infertility
samusc's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There are a ton of great elements to this book, here's just a few:
- The development of Aster and Violet's friendship feels so real.
I really hope we see Violet again in the sequel. I don't handle character's sacrificing themselves well, especially one so well written. - The vengeants and raveners are horrifying! As if running from unjust laws wasn't enough, our heroes are also running from malevolent spirits and men with the ability to break your mind with ease.
- Aster's experience with working through trauma are authentic and messy. Her reluctance to trust others makes sense considering her circumstances.
Our sapphic girls, Tansy and Mallow, survive and are happy together. - Charlotte Nicole Davis pulls from dark American history (as well as current events and impacts) for this story including slave catching patrols, hysterectomies performed without consent/gynecology surgical experimentation/forced sterilization, and sexual slavery. These are incredibly high stakes for any characters to endure.
I can't wait to read the sequel to revisit these strong young women and their allies.
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, and Vomit
andykarnik's review against another edition
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
The main characters start the story in a brothel, and the inciting incident is a sexual assault that leads to a murder.jerusha's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Racism
rainbowshelves's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Infertility, Drug use, Addiction, and Confinement
Minor: Rape