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stacielouise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is my second read through of Empress, although the first read through was so long ago I couldn’t remember most of the details. Hekat has always stuck with me, though. She is a VERY memorable character. It almost seems wrong to enjoy her character and the book because it’s so terrible (in a very bad things happen way, not a this is a bad quality book way). This book is full of blood and gore and slaughter. Hekat is vicious, relentless and merciless. Miller doesn’t something quite remarkable, though. Instead of just presenting a villainous and eluding to her tortured roots to garner some empathy, she goes all in and has us take the journey of Hekat’s life, up to the point where the books ends. And the book ends on a truly tragic note. The only one happy and thriving is Dmitrek, but I feel fairly confident the loss of his brother will affect him, as well. I understand Hekat on a level rarely reached in a book. But let’s not have Hekat steal the show. Vorka is also an amazing character. He is kind and tender, but still strong and powerful. He seems to be the hero to Hekat’s villainy, but really they are on the same side, have the same beliefs and hold fast to those beliefs. I haven’t read the second and third books, so I don’t know what happens or what may be revealed about their god, but it’s clear something is not right. I have so many theories, and I’m eager to see find out what is going on. Ahhh and Vorka and Hekat’s love? So wonderful and tragic. I am so ready to FINALLY continue the series and find out what happens in the next two books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Religious bigotry, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Child abuse
waterlylly's review against another edition
I guess it's possible that it gets better after the beginning? But I just. Don't. Care. In 50 pages, this book has done nothing to make me interested. I already know that I want nothing to do with the world the thing is set in. No stars. Bailing out. Not going to do it. I have NO IDEA why Storygraph consistently put this at the top of my recommendations, but this time it's just dead wrong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Sexual assault
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