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sunlit_music'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
Plot - 5/5. The plot is original, easy to follow, makes sense, was exciting and full of tension and action, and kept me engaged from start to finish.
Characters - 5/5. All characters are believable, complex, act in character. They're all distinct and easy to tell apart. All of them are so interesting - not just the major characters, but also the minor ones! I love Yaema, Driss' and Tunde's relatives. I love Malik's sisters Leila and Nadia. Nadia is so freaking adorable!! The way she comforts Hanane by saying, "You look like a princess! You look normal!" Was so cute!
Caracal is funny and delightful, and Karina is badass and vulnerable. Afua is lovely and sweet, Hanane is fierce and lovable, and Malik has an incredible character arc. There's so many great characters to read about!
Pacing - Pacing was fast during action scenes, while still easy to follow, and that's when you know you're reading a great book. Pacing slowed down during thoughtful scenes where characters are resolving disputes, goofing off, supporting each other, which helped me understand and appreciate them more. Pacing was great, in short. :)
Representation - representation is INCREDIBLE! There's Ife, who is autistic and non binary, has a great sense of humour and so much charm. Malik has depression and self harms, and isn't portrayed as a saint or villain, but a real, flawed human being who is sometimes kind and at other times ruthless. He redeems himself in the end and what I appreciate about him is that he admits redemption is an ongoing thing, not a one off action.
Characters are BIPOC (Black, from different nations) and portrayed in a nuanced, thoughtful manner. There's plenty of interesting, strong and brave characters of all genders and ages.
World building - the history and mythology of the story's world is rich, detailed, lush and immersive. I love reading about the necropolis and pharaohs, and learning about the complex and painful history between Karina's and Malik's ancestors. I appreciate how this isn't a simple story of people who are purely good and evil, but flawed people trying to do what they think is right. I love how the story shows that some people can change for the better.
The scenes about the omens are vivid, spine chilling and I didn't see the scenes with the last omen coming! It was a totally unexpected plot twist, but made sense.
Ending - I love the ending, it's hopeful, uplifting while still being realistic. The way Karina solves her problems is inventive and clever, and feels hard won.
The narrators are all amazing, they're so talented! They all added humour, pathos and emotion to the characters they voiced. The e-book is wonderful, but if you can do it, buy the audio book - because the narrators/voice actors all make the characters and story come to life!
Graphic: Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Kidnapping, Grief, and Colonisation
kaylamoran'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
Malik has my heart and I'd die for him.
I'll definitely be checking out anything else Roseanne A. Brown writes. Everything about this felt so unique, and even the tropes didn't feel tropey. It was genuinely unpredictable, which for someone who reads as much YA fantasy as i do, can be very difficult to achieve.
Did I mention I love Malik? I love Malik.
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
internationalreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
blueberry0531'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
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Torture, and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault and Trafficking
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
My poor babies Karina and Malik go through so much in this story ðŸ˜
I adore this duology. All of the loose threads are wrapped up excellently and yet I still want more. The depictions of mental health struggles in particular are so well done.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Slavery, Grief, and Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
sophiesmallhands'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, and War
meluhnie'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: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
queenie_ofthe_void'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
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism
Personally just hated thr ending. Left feeling unfulfilled. After two whole books and all this built up soul-mates and destiny, they only end up together *hypothetically* in the monologue. Why. WHY?! That is some bullshit. And fade to black... AFTER ALL OF THIS. no. Everything else was amazing. Malik and Karina are amazing.megloveswords12's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racism and Toxic relationship
heli1403'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? Yes
5.0
I read a song of wraith and ruins back in June after hearing it's a good book and that I'll love it if I loved children of blood and bone. I finished in a week (during my exam period lol) and counted the days until this book. And it was worth it!
I barely read fantasy books that goes into the depth of the characters emotions and mental health, and I needed it SO MUCH. The writing of Malik anxiety, both Karina and Malik lowest moments... I actually had to stop doing my crocheting or whatever I was doing and just focus in listening because it felt so real, I could feel the pain, it was written so, so well.
Being very anxious girl myself (lol) I found myself trying to look for spoilers just to make sure my favorite characters are ok. Good thing I didn't find much lol. The end is bittersweet, like a lot of people said, and I can't decide if I like it or refuse to admit I like it bc it made me sad. How much do I need to pay to get more Malik and Karina stories in my life? I'LL PAY.
Anyway, even if you didn't like a song of wraith and ruins let this one a chance. I think I even liked that one better. Wish it was a trilogy or something just so I can have more of it.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent