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h_s_bloom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
- Characters: ✬✬✬✬ (4/5)
- Plot: ✬✬✬✬ (4/5)
- Pacing: ✬✬✬ (3/5)
- Writing Style: ✬✬✬ (3/5)
- Diversity: ✬✬✬✬✬ (5/5)
This was book 2/50 for 2024. Overall, it was an entertaining read, but the book was very slow to start and I didn't personally relate to the MC very much.
Summary: Hessa, blessed with incredible power, was taken from her home aged 5 along with her cousin to become an Eangi, a warrior priestess sworn to the goddess of war, Eang. Hessa is banished for failing to follow her one of her goddess' commands and whilst she is away begging for forgiveness, most of everything and everyone Hessa has ever come to love in these past years is destroyed. With the other Eangi gone, Hessa is thrust into a power struggle between the remaining populations and later into a similar one happening amongst the gods themselves. Hessa is forced to confront the nature of her power, its source from the Goddess Eang, what it means to be Eangi, and who she could become without it.
Characters: Hessa reads very much as an indoctrinated/religious trauma trope within a viking style fantasy setting. The idea itself and the worldbuilding is really interesting but I found myself feeling quite exasperated with Hessa at times. That being said, I think some of her actions make sense given her upbringing, but I just couldn't feel it for some reason. I myself don't have any religious trauma so maybe that's why?
Plot: Overall, Hessa doesn't really seem to do anything herself, this book is very much a telling of things happening to her. The things that happen are really interesting thanks to the interesting world this book is set in, but I needed Hessa to be a bit more proactive so I could root for her (personal preference).
Pacing: This is another issue. This book was VERY slow to start and I wasn't really engaged until >50% of the way through. Again, the worldbuilding kept me going and Hessa did eventually grow on me, but it shouldn't have taken this long.
Writing style: It is also just okay, nothing brilliant, but nothing terrible either. The worldbuilding was balanced with other elements and felt very naturally done.
Diversity: A strong-point for this book was the racial diversity that was present and contextualized. Again, due to Long's good worldbuilding, we were able to meet POC characters and understand a bit about their culture (Hessa was just a visitor in these scenes so I don't think its out of place that she doesn't have ALL of the answers.).
There is also some LGBTQIA+ representation, though it isn't revealed until near the end. A past relationship is mentioned and it is framed as shameful/negative/toxic, however, its not clear if that's due to the power dynamics, the fact it was likely a minor/adult relationship with implied grooming, or because gay relationships in general are a no-no in this world.
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, War, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, and Pedophilia
missmoth'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? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
criticalmiss's review
- 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
Graphic: Blood, War, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, and Pregnancy
walkie_check's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Self harm
Moderate: Slavery, Toxic relationship, Blood, Racism, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, Self harm, War, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Colonisation, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry
anntharai'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Blood, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, War, Violence, Trafficking, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Torture, Sexism, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
The self harm tag refers to ritual bloodletting, but self administered and could well be upsetting for some readers.ka_ke's review against another edition
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Violence