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glund_01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
hannahmcguireauthor's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book made me love new characters, but hate old ones. I loved some parts, but certain lines detracted from Nesta's journey and I found myself hung up on those flaws. Certain plot points weren't able to make me suspend my disbelief. I will continue the series, but this book felt like a means to an end. I loved Nesta, but perhaps if some lines or scenes were cut, it would have been a stronger story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Medical trauma, Grief, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexism, Alcohol, Addiction, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
alamayhem_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was by far my favorite installment in the series, no questions asked. I loved every single page of this book and found myself immersed in the story from beginning to end. Nesta’s character development has to be one of the best yet in this series. I was screaming, crying, blushing, and smiling throughout the course of this book.
When we first meet Nesta, we absolutely hate her. She is unbearably cruel, selfish, and unkind to everyone. Especially to those who try to show their love and support for her. I found it so hard to like her at first, but I was prepared for this, due to my bestie telling me to just give her a chance. I continued reading, and she was so right. As the story continues, you find yourself slowing falling in love with Nesta. I found it similar to that quote from The Fault in Our Stars, (so sorry, I had to) “I fell in love with [her] like I was falling asleep. Slowly, and then all at once”. This is exactly how I felt when I was reading this book. As I got to understand Nesta as a character and be inside of her head more, hearing her thoughts and reactions to things, her behaviors made so much more sense to me. She was in pain, angry, and went through a lot of trauma since Hybern and losing her father etc. As she slowly comes to this realization, she is able to start to want to work through this trauma and allow herself to want to get better.
Then we have Cassian. MY BOY, CASSIAN. God, dare I say it, but I think Cassian is my favorite bat boy. He is just so amazing, kind, compassionate, there for Nesta, and so so sEXY. The smut in this book was absolutely immaculate. This was definitely Sarah’s most smutty book in the ACOTAR series, and I will say — 10/10. I lived for it, haha. It was written sO well and it was my first hint at one of the crucial plot elements of the book (iykyk). That has to be one of my favorite things about her spicy scenes. They are so purposeful and actually add to the plot, rather than just being thrown in there.
Then the female friendships inside of this book were just so beautiful and amazing. I love nothing more than a good female friendship. Emerie, Gwyn, and Nesta’s friendship is one that I want to have so badly in my own life. To have that camaraderie with people who have similar traumas and healing journeys to go through together, is just so beautiful and special. Especially when it is a group of girls too? Absolutely iconic. Seeing their own character development and them grow as Valkyries together was so legendary and empowering. I strive to be a quarter as strong as those girls, ha!
Then of course as always, the last 100 pages of this book were actually insane. They had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly reading to find out what was going to happen. These were the pages where I was actually screaming, crying, and freaking out as I read. I was so emotional, it was crazy. I absolutely loved the way that Sarah wrapped up this book though. All of the twists, the conflicts, the turmoil, the reveals, the emotions, the tEARS. It was my favorite ending by far, again. This book really hit it out of the park for me.
As usual I could go on for hours about this book and series, but alas, I will stop here for now. Overall, this seriously was the best installment in the series, and only increased my love for the world, all of the characters, and made me ten times more obsessed with the bat boys. I cannot wait to read the next installment when it comes out! I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟
When we first meet Nesta, we absolutely hate her. She is unbearably cruel, selfish, and unkind to everyone. Especially to those who try to show their love and support for her. I found it so hard to like her at first, but I was prepared for this, due to my bestie telling me to just give her a chance. I continued reading, and she was so right. As the story continues, you find yourself slowing falling in love with Nesta. I found it similar to that quote from The Fault in Our Stars, (so sorry, I had to) “I fell in love with [her] like I was falling asleep. Slowly, and then all at once”. This is exactly how I felt when I was reading this book. As I got to understand Nesta as a character and be inside of her head more, hearing her thoughts and reactions to things, her behaviors made so much more sense to me. She was in pain, angry, and went through a lot of trauma since Hybern and losing her father etc. As she slowly comes to this realization, she is able to start to want to work through this trauma and allow herself to want to get better.
Then we have Cassian. MY BOY, CASSIAN. God, dare I say it, but I think Cassian is my favorite bat boy. He is just so amazing, kind, compassionate, there for Nesta, and so so sEXY. The smut in this book was absolutely immaculate. This was definitely Sarah’s most smutty book in the ACOTAR series, and I will say — 10/10. I lived for it, haha. It was written sO well and it was my first hint at one of the crucial plot elements of the book (iykyk). That has to be one of my favorite things about her spicy scenes. They are so purposeful and actually add to the plot, rather than just being thrown in there.
Then the female friendships inside of this book were just so beautiful and amazing. I love nothing more than a good female friendship. Emerie, Gwyn, and Nesta’s friendship is one that I want to have so badly in my own life. To have that camaraderie with people who have similar traumas and healing journeys to go through together, is just so beautiful and special. Especially when it is a group of girls too? Absolutely iconic. Seeing their own character development and them grow as Valkyries together was so legendary and empowering. I strive to be a quarter as strong as those girls, ha!
Then of course as always, the last 100 pages of this book were actually insane. They had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly reading to find out what was going to happen. These were the pages where I was actually screaming, crying, and freaking out as I read. I was so emotional, it was crazy. I absolutely loved the way that Sarah wrapped up this book though. All of the twists, the conflicts, the turmoil, the reveals, the emotions, the tEARS. It was my favorite ending by far, again. This book really hit it out of the park for me.
As usual I could go on for hours about this book and series, but alas, I will stop here for now. Overall, this seriously was the best installment in the series, and only increased my love for the world, all of the characters, and made me ten times more obsessed with the bat boys. I cannot wait to read the next installment when it comes out! I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Blood
edamamebean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.5
Would have been five stars if not for that unnecessarily traumatic pregnancy side plot. But I really loved this book, the best in the series so far in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Medical trauma, Murder, Rape, Gore, Sexual content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Death of parent
kadbee's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Violence, Rape, Blood, Mental illness, Death, Murder, Sexual violence, Sexism, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical content
kaaaaaaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I can't tell if I like this book best because it's actually better/plays to SJM's strengths as a writer or if this one just has more characters/tropes that appeal to me personally. *gestures at Nesta like I'm John Mulaney in 'Kid Gorgeous'*: My wife's a bitch, and I like her so much.
Still deducting points for the clumsy deus ex machina.
Also:
Yet another fictional universe that really needs to get around to inventing the therapist.
Much like Star Wars,I'm supposed to believe that our main characters can heal from anything except being female pregnancy.
We now have two male characters named after female goddesses ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Still deducting points for the clumsy deus ex machina.
Also:
Yet another fictional universe that really needs to get around to inventing the therapist.
Much like Star Wars,
We now have two male characters named after female goddesses ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Dysphoria, Grief, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Alcohol, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Self harm
There is a potentially fatal pregnancythe_ant_man_band's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
2sxber's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book has my whole entire heart. As someone who’s endured the struggles and triumphs of depression, anxiety and PTSD for over 10 years now, this book shot me back in time and reminded me how entirely strong I am for enduring. The character development, the inspirational moments and conversations between oneself, friends, family, and lover were all so well done. I will forever have a special place in my heart for this book, and for Nesta Archeron. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, and Rape
samsmith_swc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Grief, and Sexual content
lizh1008's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content