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mairi99's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Alcohol, Death, and Drug use
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Vomit
beccisays's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Adored the way tarot cards are used within the story, true to the real life card interpretations with additional symbolism and meaning from the world and its magic woven in. The plot and games are slightly reminiscent of Caraval or The Night Circus but without as much whimsical charm, mostly as the setting and tone of the book, plus its unique magic system, is rooted in a much more realistic, gritty cityscape. This draws a lot of strong similarities with Six of Crows, in particular the long cons and politics of old fashioned street gangs, including all the (mostly) lovably rogue characters. As it's available in the Audible plus catalogue, I didn’t have the highest expectations but I’m very pleasantly surprised and definitely want to continue to listen to the rest of the series. I would say its use of words like “muck” instead of expletives was kind of jarring though and I would like to see some growth or character arc on Levi’s part as he seems an unlikely fit for the leadership role that is supposed to belong to him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, and Death
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Grief, Death of parent, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
drugged drinkramunepocky's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So we pretend that I haven’t owned this book for literally years and never read it because reading it now, I wish I had been motivated to read it sooner. It was really incredible, enthralling and interesting!! I absolutely adored the world building and the magic system.; it was so unique and I loved learning about every aspect of it. The City of Sin is no beautiful place, truly living up to it’s name, with gangs and danger around every corner, esp for our protagonists, but I loved every part of it.
The magic system was absolutely my favourite part!!! I loved the concept of having blood talents that come from your parents and that they can be split, either equally or not so much, and how they can range from the mundane to truly horrifying talents that can bind and force others to do your bidding. I’m intrigued to learn more about the misers and what particularly made them so dangerous that the Phoenix Club felt the need to wipe them all out and everyone else was glad of it, considering the extent of what we know right now is that they have purple eyes and can make volts.
I am also fascinated by the Shadow Game and cannot wait to learn more about it !!! The concept of betting with your life energy and what you have to do to win/how no one has ever won is so interesting !!!
Character-wise, I rlly truly loved Lola, she was my absolute favourite !!! I love that she armed herself with knives, and I was saddened to learn of her backstory with her family/brother, and I liked watching her reluctant friendship with Enne blossom as she realised the person Enne actually was. I also think her talent of being able to read other people’s talents through their blood and reading their history was so damn interesting!!!
Levi was my second favourite and it pained me to see all the shit he lost through Vianca’s schemes, including being the Lord of the gang he’d built himself, in his desperate attempts to stay alive after she’d put him at risk and continued to take advantage of him. I loved his sarcasm and wit; he’d often make me laugh with the off handed things he’d say and I loved his friendship with Jac b/c they were both just so funny. I think it was sweet that after considering robbing her and sending her away from the get-go, and then only helping her to pay off his own debts, he became quickly protective of Enne and willing to go to any length to help her. Also the fact that he’d built up his gang by rescuing kids and saving their lives, after Raymond had done the same for him!!! It pained me as much as it pained him when Raymond was killed and he lost someone so important to him, and almost lost the same with Jac too.
I’m not currently sure where I stand with Enne; I hated her to begin with and she rlly grinded my gears, but as she built up her confidence and adjusted to the city of sin and relaxed into being ruthless, I enjoyed that side of her a lot more, like when she poisoned and later killed Sedric, and when she fought Lola for her life. She still winds me up fairly often and there’s certain aspects of the way she thinks/speaks that I just don’t get along with, but I’m excited to see her grow more in the following books and see who she becomes. I also don’t rlly understand why she was so surprised when she learned that Lourdes was dead after she’d literally told her if I don’t come back by this many days, I’m probably dead like ??? She legit told you she’d be dead, why are you shocked???? *doesn’t understand* I am intrigued to learn more about Enne and her backstory tho.\
I also loved Jac so much!!! He made me laugh so often and I adored his friendship with Levi and how they cared for one another.
All in all, a great book and I’m very excited to read the rest of the series and see where it goes and learn more about these characters that I’m already so fond of and learn more about such an interesting world and magic system !!!!
The magic system was absolutely my favourite part!!! I loved the concept of having blood talents that come from your parents and that they can be split, either equally or not so much, and how they can range from the mundane to truly horrifying talents that can bind and force others to do your bidding. I’m intrigued to learn more about the misers and what particularly made them so dangerous that the Phoenix Club felt the need to wipe them all out and everyone else was glad of it, considering the extent of what we know right now is that they have purple eyes and can make volts.
I am also fascinated by the Shadow Game and cannot wait to learn more about it !!! The concept of betting with your life energy and what you have to do to win/how no one has ever won is so interesting !!!
Character-wise, I rlly truly loved Lola, she was my absolute favourite !!! I love that she armed herself with knives, and I was saddened to learn of her backstory with her family/brother, and I liked watching her reluctant friendship with Enne blossom as she realised the person Enne actually was. I also think her talent of being able to read other people’s talents through their blood and reading their history was so damn interesting!!!
Levi was my second favourite and it pained me to see all the shit he lost through Vianca’s schemes, including being the Lord of the gang he’d built himself, in his desperate attempts to stay alive after she’d put him at risk and continued to take advantage of him. I loved his sarcasm and wit; he’d often make me laugh with the off handed things he’d say and I loved his friendship with Jac b/c they were both just so funny. I think it was sweet that after considering robbing her and sending her away from the get-go, and then only helping her to pay off his own debts, he became quickly protective of Enne and willing to go to any length to help her. Also the fact that he’d built up his gang by rescuing kids and saving their lives, after Raymond had done the same for him!!! It pained me as much as it pained him when Raymond was killed and he lost someone so important to him, and almost lost the same with Jac too.
I’m not currently sure where I stand with Enne; I hated her to begin with and she rlly grinded my gears, but as she built up her confidence and adjusted to the city of sin and relaxed into being ruthless, I enjoyed that side of her a lot more, like when she poisoned and later killed Sedric, and when she fought Lola for her life. She still winds me up fairly often and there’s certain aspects of the way she thinks/speaks that I just don’t get along with, but I’m excited to see her grow more in the following books and see who she becomes. I also don’t rlly understand why she was so surprised when she learned that Lourdes was dead after she’d literally told her if I don’t come back by this many days, I’m probably dead like ??? She legit told you she’d be dead, why are you shocked???? *doesn’t understand* I am intrigued to learn more about Enne and her backstory tho.\
I also loved Jac so much!!! He made me laugh so often and I adored his friendship with Levi and how they cared for one another.
All in all, a great book and I’m very excited to read the rest of the series and see where it goes and learn more about these characters that I’m already so fond of and learn more about such an interesting world and magic system !!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
huldasif's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
If you like Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows this might be right up your alley. It's not a heist story, but it does have a similar mood and crime lords dealing with bigger crime lords. The story is about Enne, an innocent, sheltered ballerina student who comes to this sin city to look for her missing mother. She meets Levi, a small crime lord with problems of his own, and employs him to help her find her mother. It's a medium paced fantasy, plot-driven but with some character development still. The climax of the book wasn't what I expected it to be and I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have wanted, but it wasn't bad by any means. Just... different and not as climactic as it could have been had the author gone a different route, but it was still interesting. The book was actually full of surprises, twists and turns, only a few that I saw coming. There was never a dull moment. This is a first in a trilogy though and you really feel it. Although stuff is resolved, there are several things left unexplored or not explored enough. So you kind of have to know going in that this isn't one of those trilogies where the first book can sort of stand alone and you have the option to keep on going. You are going to feel in the end that you need the next book to be fulfilled. I liked it enough to keep on going. In fact, I liked it better than Six of Crows.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Gun violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Pedophilia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
clawclawclaw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
sarah_cameron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
A very exciting book with an intriguing, diverse, and morally grey cast of characters. A unique take on a magic-based world that felt incredibly real. Can’t wait to dive into the sequel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Vomit
larainsidebooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
The way that this book had me hooked during the second half is insane. It's saying a lot that, as I'm writing this review, I'm already halfway through the sequel.
However, this wasn't the case at the beginning. I will blame that on me having big breaks between starting this book and actually comitting to reading it regularly and my uni obligations getting in the way of giving this book the proper attention it deserves. As I was getting closer to the ending, my anticipation rose and I ended up being glued to the screen until the very end!
We have two main characters, both with their own motives. At the beginning, it seems like they are complete opposites: Enne, a pretty young girl, straight out of a presitge finishing school and Levi, a gang leader trying to build his empire. They both fail at their respective missions, but they pick themselves up each time and continue fighting. I especially loved Enne's development. Levi and Enne have to work together and at first they clash, but they learn to rely on eachother. Which may or may not lead to some feelings. Which brings me to THE TENSION. I'm so happy we have dual POV because there is no doubt about their feelings. They both like the other, but are doing absolutely nothing about it (maybe not nothing at all, but still I need more!).Their banter was perfect and I loved all of their scenes together. I appreciated the slow buildup, because the entire books spans only 8-10 days and it's expected that they wouldn't get together in the first book out of the three. I'm so excited to see what's in store for them in the sequel! Also, one point I would like to add is that Levi is bisexual and Enne's mother dresses fluidly, so there's some representation if you are looking for that.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters very much. I already see warming up to Jac even more in the second book and I love his friendship with Levi. I also feel that Lola will become a much bigger part of the story.
It is around the halfway point that a big reveal happens, but I didn't get my full attention. It didn't feel grounded in logic, because there weren't that many reasons why our MC would even pursue getting to the bottom of that mystery. I mean, there were two main ones, but it felt like that sort of reveal was meant to happen later in the book because it feels it didn't make any sort of difference at the middle except the fact that we gained a new secondary character.
I also struggled to understand what were everyone's talents at the beginning of the book. The magic system of this book is really interesting and unique. Basically, everyone has two talents: one blood talent (which is stronger) and one split talent (the weaker one), both inherited from your parents. You also share your main last name with the parent that you got your blood talent from. Example: Enne Abacus Salta - her main (blood) talent is dancing and that's why she is usually just called Enne Salta, while counting is her second (split) talent. There are so many different talents. Strenght, healing, seeing auras, fire, acrobatics, counting, being able to see other people's talents (blood gazers), protecting someone.. I also really liked that the strenghts of the the same talents were different depending on it being your blood talent or split talent (Jac's split talent is healing, but since it's his weaker one, he feels the pain of the wound he heals).
The volt/orb system was also a mystery to me, because I couldn't for the life of me figure out the difference between orb makers and the power that the Mizers apparently had, which was making volts (I'm still not quite sure).
This brings me to my next point: the history and the setting. The time period/setting feels like late 19/early 20th century and I loved the atmosphere of New Reynes and how it contrasted Bellamy, where Enne is originally from. I also loved that Enne was constantly referring to her guidebook and Levi was teasing her about it. The history of this world is also pretty interesting. New Reynes is a part of the Republic now, but there used to be bunch of kingdoms, but the royals were all killed 18 or so years ago so there's a lot of mysteries about that to uncover. I just wish we got more information about the Mizers and their actual powers, because the only thing I know for sure that they all have purple eyes, but I don't understand all of their powers (do they make volts???). I also don't really understand what the name Mizer actually stands for. All of the royals or just a selected group? Is it a monarchists party or does is include the people that support them? I hope we get more answers in the next book.
I expected the final conflict to happen at the very end of the book, but I didn't expect it to play out the way it did. I honestly thought the roles would be reversed (if you know you know), but I guess that there was more at stake this way. I loved the ending and can't wait to see what the sequel brings!
What it reminded me of: Six of Crows, These Violent Delights, The Gilded Wolves (haven't read it yet, but they both give me a similar vibe), tv show Peaky Blinders
However, this wasn't the case at the beginning. I will blame that on me having big breaks between starting this book and actually comitting to reading it regularly and my uni obligations getting in the way of giving this book the proper attention it deserves. As I was getting closer to the ending, my anticipation rose and I ended up being glued to the screen until the very end!
We have two main characters, both with their own motives. At the beginning, it seems like they are complete opposites: Enne, a pretty young girl, straight out of a presitge finishing school and Levi, a gang leader trying to build his empire. They both fail at their respective missions, but they pick themselves up each time and continue fighting. I especially loved Enne's development. Levi and Enne have to work together and at first they clash, but they learn to rely on eachother. Which may or may not lead to some feelings. Which brings me to THE TENSION. I'm so happy we have dual POV because there is no doubt about their feelings. They both like the other, but are doing absolutely nothing about it (maybe not nothing at all, but still I need more!).Their banter was perfect and I loved all of their scenes together. I appreciated the slow buildup, because the entire books spans only 8-10 days and it's expected that they wouldn't get together in the first book out of the three. I'm so excited to see what's in store for them in the sequel! Also, one point I would like to add is that Levi is bisexual and Enne's mother dresses fluidly, so there's some representation if you are looking for that.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters very much. I already see warming up to Jac even more in the second book and I love his friendship with Levi. I also feel that Lola will become a much bigger part of the story.
It is around the halfway point that a big reveal happens, but I didn't get my full attention. It didn't feel grounded in logic, because there weren't that many reasons why our MC would even pursue getting to the bottom of that mystery. I mean, there were two main ones, but it felt like that sort of reveal was meant to happen later in the book because it feels it didn't make any sort of difference at the middle except the fact that we gained a new secondary character.
I also struggled to understand what were everyone's talents at the beginning of the book. The magic system of this book is really interesting and unique. Basically, everyone has two talents: one blood talent (which is stronger) and one split talent (the weaker one), both inherited from your parents. You also share your main last name with the parent that you got your blood talent from. Example: Enne Abacus Salta - her main (blood) talent is dancing and that's why she is usually just called Enne Salta, while counting is her second (split) talent. There are so many different talents. Strenght, healing, seeing auras, fire, acrobatics, counting, being able to see other people's talents (blood gazers), protecting someone.. I also really liked that the strenghts of the the same talents were different depending on it being your blood talent or split talent (Jac's split talent is healing, but since it's his weaker one, he feels the pain of the wound he heals).
The volt/orb system was also a mystery to me, because I couldn't for the life of me figure out the difference between orb makers and the power that the Mizers apparently had, which was making volts (I'm still not quite sure).
This brings me to my next point: the history and the setting. The time period/setting feels like late 19/early 20th century and I loved the atmosphere of New Reynes and how it contrasted Bellamy, where Enne is originally from. I also loved that Enne was constantly referring to her guidebook and Levi was teasing her about it. The history of this world is also pretty interesting. New Reynes is a part of the Republic now, but there used to be bunch of kingdoms, but the royals were all killed 18 or so years ago so there's a lot of mysteries about that to uncover. I just wish we got more information about the Mizers and their actual powers, because the only thing I know for sure that they all have purple eyes, but I don't understand all of their powers (do they make volts???). I also don't really understand what the name Mizer actually stands for. All of the royals or just a selected group? Is it a monarchists party or does is include the people that support them? I hope we get more answers in the next book.
I expected the final conflict to happen at the very end of the book, but I didn't expect it to play out the way it did. I honestly thought the roles would be reversed (if you know you know), but I guess that there was more at stake this way. I loved the ending and can't wait to see what the sequel brings!
What it reminded me of: Six of Crows, These Violent Delights, The Gilded Wolves (haven't read it yet, but they both give me a similar vibe), tv show Peaky Blinders
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Addiction
mars1111's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
I really liked this book but there is something holding me back from giving it 5 stars. The start is pretty slow and the first 100 pages are nothing special but after that the action just keepins going and becomes more and more exciting. I liked how the relationships between characters evolved through the book but I feel like they are a bit too hurried. Overall the book was great, the world, the plot and the characters are well constructed. I will read the other two books from the trylogy for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Murder, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Vomit, War, Police brutality, and Pedophilia
Minor: Slavery and Fire/Fire injury
lemonzest's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Torture, and Alcoholism
Minor: Addiction and Sexual harassment