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mazomazli's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I’ve updated my review after rereading it to be 4.5 stars for a few reasons.
This is an amazing book with a very fun magic system of ‘scribed objects’ which takes ordinary objects and convinces them through engravings of different realities. An example would be convincing wood it is stone to create sturdier buildings and etc. I very much like the characters, I like the author’s writing, and I like the themes. I very much like how the author writes the sapphic relationship in this series.
The reason for the deductions is the following:
- the use of the g slur for Romani people - this was not directed at anyone in particular but used as a descriptor for nomads. I just want to put it out there so no one is caught off guard
- Robert Jackson Bennet has published fantastic essays years ago why authors should seriously reconsider adding that rape scene. Upon my reread, there was a sex scene witnessed by the MC that when you consider the power dynamics between the two and how little the woman is noted to not enjoy it, I’m very confident to say that it was rape. I would have rather not to have read the scene or the way the MC almost experiences SA. What was really important to me is that he made it known that when the offender does this shit, it’s not about lust or anything the victim is doing. It is so much about power. It’s really seen with the attempt on the MC as they find her unattractive but they could do it anyway just to enjoy a power trip.
One his essays:
https://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/three-things-that-shaped-how-i-think-about-writing-about-sexual-abuse
There is also a depiction of plantation slavery in the MC’s past and some of the horrors that people experienced.
To finish this all off after that difficult discussion, I would like to leave the love interest’s compliment to the MC: “Refreshingly uncontained”
This is an amazing book with a very fun magic system of ‘scribed objects’ which takes ordinary objects and convinces them through engravings of different realities. An example would be convincing wood it is stone to create sturdier buildings and etc. I very much like the characters, I like the author’s writing, and I like the themes. I very much like how the author writes the sapphic relationship in this series.
The reason for the deductions is the following:
- the use of the g slur for Romani people - this was not directed at anyone in particular but used as a descriptor for nomads. I just want to put it out there so no one is caught off guard
- Robert Jackson Bennet has published fantastic essays years ago why authors should seriously reconsider adding that rape scene. Upon my reread, there was a sex scene witnessed by the MC that when you consider the power dynamics between the two and how little the woman is noted to not enjoy it, I’m very confident to say that it was rape. I would have rather not to have read the scene or the way the MC almost experiences SA. What was really important to me is that he made it known that when the offender does this shit, it’s not about lust or anything the victim is doing. It is so much about power. It’s really seen with the attempt on the MC as they find her unattractive but they could do it anyway just to enjoy a power trip.
One his essays:
https://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/three-things-that-shaped-how-i-think-about-writing-about-sexual-abuse
There is also a depiction of plantation slavery in the MC’s past and some of the horrors that people experienced.
To finish this all off after that difficult discussion, I would like to leave the love interest’s compliment to the MC: “Refreshingly uncontained”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Torture
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