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callistag1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Child death
Moderate: Sexism, Murder, Vomit, War, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Grief, and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Body shaming, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
silver_valkyrie_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
Parts of this book were a lot of fun, and parts of it were very irritating. For the first half or two thirds I was all prepared to describe this book as "a generic fantasy in the best way--four solid stars". Now I'm like, I dunno, I guess it's almost four stars...
I don't have any particular plans to pick up the rest of the series, but I could see the whim striking sometime.
I don't have any particular plans to pick up the rest of the series, but I could see the whim striking sometime.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Child death, Grief, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
korok_sapling's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Overall it was an enjoyable book if not necessarily good. It pulls you in almost immediately and keeps you engaged, the plot twists are different and interesting, not overly obvious.
Unfortunately the things I didn’t like about it were too deeply ingrained in the book to ignore. Our main character fall into the “not like other girls” trope, femininity is largely looked down upon for the majority of the book, though I would say that was remedied throughout the second half, just not in a noticeable enough way to seem purposeful. Along with this we are met with the “I’m unattractive because I’m too skinny” trope, this paired with weirdly negative descriptions of larger people was uncomfortable for me. The age gap was also concerning but the way our love interests interacted made it easy to forget, there was little power dynamic.
I will say the book felt enough like every other YA young female lead book to be nostalgic but differed enough to be interesting. Also there were no traitors kissing but I’ll forgive that.
fuck her for killing Charlie though
Unfortunately the things I didn’t like about it were too deeply ingrained in the book to ignore. Our main character fall into the “not like other girls” trope, femininity is largely looked down upon for the majority of the book, though I would say that was remedied throughout the second half, just not in a noticeable enough way to seem purposeful. Along with this we are met with the “I’m unattractive because I’m too skinny” trope, this paired with weirdly negative descriptions of larger people was uncomfortable for me. The age gap was also concerning but the way our love interests interacted made it easy to forget, there was little power dynamic.
I will say the book felt enough like every other YA young female lead book to be nostalgic but differed enough to be interesting. Also there were no traitors kissing but I’ll forgive that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Vomit
bookish_bookerz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The enjoyment I had reading this book was great. I liked every second of it including the settings, characters, and plot. I was looking for a nice read that was not heavy but had something that still interest me and this was the book for me. While reading it, I enjoyed getting to know the characters without being bored of overly detailed descriptions. I think the author did a nice job spreading that information out and learning it when other characters learned it as well. In addition, I enjoyed the romance in this book. It was not a main factor for as much as the premise it was sitting on but I did end up gushing over their romantic development. I felt it was not rushed and enjoyed how the main couple was able to get to know each other (despite circumstances around it). Within this, I think it allowed the main couple to know more about each other but themselves as well while allowing room for more growth to come it the second book. In all of the enjoyment I had, I have no negative things to say about this book, except that it is not the best book I read. However, as stated previously I did enjoy this book and will be continuing it into the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault and Torture
carolibrary's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Sexual assault
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I liked the characters in this book and all the different relationship interactions. I think that is one of the strongest points of the book as the world building is a bit lack luster and plot, whilst enjoyable and had me hooked was nothing new and to write home about.
About the first half of the book is the group of soon to be brides traveling to the capital for with an escort supplied by the military. This part of the book really focuses on Sage and Ash's growing friendship and building up for the second half of the book where most of the espionage, fighting and politics takes place at the forefront.
The second half takes place at Duke D'Amiran's estate, and where Sage is asked by Captain Quinn to help the military escort figure out what is happening as they are missing key pieces of information and are unable to mingle with the Nobles and lower class/servants as easily as she can.
Things I did NOT like about the book:
About the first half of the book is the group of soon to be brides traveling to the capital for with an escort supplied by the military. This part of the book really focuses on Sage and Ash's growing friendship and building up for the second half of the book where most of the espionage, fighting and politics takes place at the forefront.
The second half takes place at Duke D'Amiran's estate, and where Sage is asked by Captain Quinn to help the military escort figure out what is happening as they are missing key pieces of information and are unable to mingle with the Nobles and lower class/servants as easily as she can.
Things I did NOT like about the book:
- When Sage is dressing up nicely she does the stereotypical corsets are uncomfortable and how it is hard to do certain activities in them. Whilst this sets up the "She is not like other girls" trope, corsets in history were not uncomfortable but were instead used for chest support. These lines and ones similar to it came across as a bit of regurgitation about how corsets should feel without looking into it.
- The "Not like Other Girls" trope represents girls who like more stereo typically feminine things in a negative light. From subtext that they are not free or thinking for themselves, and all the girls in the bridal party var one are hostile towards Sage even though she doesn't represent a threat to their marriages.
- Lack/basic character descriptions for everyone which leads to anyone outside of the average white look being written as "darker skin" or so vaguely that you forget that this character is meant to be POC.
- The plot twist that Ash Carter was actually Captain Quinn undercover the whole time. How the plot twist was executed was set up nicely where you start questioning things but can't really figure out what's wrong as you don't have the final pieces, but the plot twist itself left much to be desired.
Personally I liked the idea that a side character in the opening few chapters focusing and meeting the soldiers was who Sage was spending time and falling in love in love with. It felt different from the formula of the two main characters having to be the ones together. It honestly felt really natural and I loved how they interacted together. The plot twist felt shoved in there so it is the two "main/important" characters together and taints everything that came before where they are getting to know each other and the chemistry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and War
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Torture
glauxgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I had to write a review just to articulate my jumbled feelings! With so many locations, ruling families, and shifting alliances, I felt lost and almost DNF, but pushed through and was mostly glad I stuck with it. My strategy was to basically ignore mentions of any place/player that wasn't a Good Guy, the Traitor, or the People Helping the Traitor be Traitorous.
Speaking of that plot hack, I had a difficult time visualizing anyone aside from Sage. As other reviewers have pointed out, characters are problematically described as shades of "dark," which (racist stereotyping notwithstanding) doesn't tell me much. Who is white and who is POC? I even went to the author's website in hopes of finding some character sketches or creator-approved renderings, but no luck. On the other hand, passages about far less interesting topics, like the cistern, were written in such detail, yet I still couldn't picture them clearly. So I'd press on and hope for more action and dialogue in the next chapter.
I did not see the twist coming; in fact, I had to go back and reread the reveal several times to make sure I was understanding the implications of it, and honestly I'm still not sure I have a handle on it. Granted, I was reading this late into the night, which is a point in the book's favor—I had to know what happened next.
While Sage is a poster child for the "Not Like Other Girls" trope, the rest of the characters kept me invested in the outcome, particularly Casseck, Charlie, and Lady Clare. The encounters between Sage and Ash are some of my favorite moments—sweet and tantalizing (I like the long game in romance).
The final showdown didn't have the payoff I expected after such a long lead-up, andI CANNOT BELIEVE THE AUTHOR DID CHARLIE LIKE THAT , so the ending was frustrating even without an obvious cliffhanger.
I'm going to take a break and read something contemporary before deciding if I'll carry on with the series. As of now, I could go either way.
Speaking of that plot hack, I had a difficult time visualizing anyone aside from Sage. As other reviewers have pointed out, characters are problematically described as shades of "dark," which (racist stereotyping notwithstanding) doesn't tell me much. Who is white and who is POC? I even went to the author's website in hopes of finding some character sketches or creator-approved renderings, but no luck. On the other hand, passages about far less interesting topics, like the cistern, were written in such detail, yet I still couldn't picture them clearly. So I'd press on and hope for more action and dialogue in the next chapter.
I did not see the twist coming; in fact, I had to go back and reread the reveal several times to make sure I was understanding the implications of it, and honestly I'm still not sure I have a handle on it. Granted, I was reading this late into the night, which is a point in the book's favor—I had to know what happened next.
While Sage is a poster child for the "Not Like Other Girls" trope, the rest of the characters kept me invested in the outcome, particularly Casseck, Charlie, and Lady Clare. The encounters between Sage and Ash are some of my favorite moments—sweet and tantalizing (I like the long game in romance).
The final showdown didn't have the payoff I expected after such a long lead-up, and
I'm going to take a break and read something contemporary before deciding if I'll carry on with the series. As of now, I could go either way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
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