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annie_jay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
webeca02's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
shaynalambert's review against another edition
4.0
I immediately ordered the sequel after finishing. It’s the kind of book that reminded me why I love high fantasy. It truly took me to another world and immersed me in it. Highly recommend, y’all.
treniseferreira's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-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
mweir710's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 stars (possible spoilers, so I'll hide the review)
I'm not really sure what to write hear as I think I might still be processing the story. Gray writes a compelling and original story, building a complex and vibrant world with imagined beasts and a compelling threat. However, I feel like this book moved a bit slowly for my taste. I actually put it down for a few months and came back to it, refusing to not finish it. It wasn't until the last 25% of the book that I truly felt pulled in with the twists and turns and the sudden betrayals. The ending was enough for me to be interested in Ayana Gray's following novel and I hope that with all the world-building that was done in book 1, book 2 moves a bit quicker!
I'm not really sure what to write hear as I think I might still be processing the story. Gray writes a compelling and original story, building a complex and vibrant world with imagined beasts and a compelling threat. However, I feel like this book moved a bit slowly for my taste. I actually put it down for a few months and came back to it, refusing to not finish it. It wasn't until the last 25% of the book that I truly felt pulled in with the twists and turns and the sudden betrayals. The ending was enough for me to be interested in Ayana Gray's following novel and I hope that with all the world-building that was done in book 1, book 2 moves a bit quicker!
ceodi17's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.5
heather0927's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
popgoesbitty's review against another edition
4.0
Such good writing and a super thrilling plot. Lost a star because I think the story went on a bit longer than it needed too, but the magic kept my attention despite its droning.
ravensandpages's review against another edition
I received an ARC eons ago in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Penguin Teen.
I'm DNFing at 48%, unfortunately. Though I will say, I was reading via audio and enjoyed the performances. Each voice suits the narrator very well and I would recommend it!
I am really sad this book didn't turn out to be for me, but I did give it an honest try. I like Koffi and Ekon both, and I could grow to like Adiah, but her POV came so infrequently that her growth arc didn't seem to be in pace with the other two, and her perspective was sometimes jarring and frustrating to read. If I had to choose, Koffi would have been my favorite. I liked her chapters best and enjoyed seeing her growth over the part of the story I did get through!
While I wasn't able to finish this book, it does have potential, and I think it boils down to it just not being for me. It was more slow-paced than I was hoping for, and I was really hoping for the settings to feel more alive to me as places on their own rather than being characterized by the people associated with them, but I do recognize that's a personal preference. I liked the influences present and I would recommend you try if you think this sounds like something you'd enjoy! I was just getting to the point where I was just unexcited to read it, and I want to put my focus on other titles.
I'm DNFing at 48%, unfortunately. Though I will say, I was reading via audio and enjoyed the performances. Each voice suits the narrator very well and I would recommend it!
I am really sad this book didn't turn out to be for me, but I did give it an honest try. I like Koffi and Ekon both, and I could grow to like Adiah, but her POV came so infrequently that her growth arc didn't seem to be in pace with the other two, and her perspective was sometimes jarring and frustrating to read. If I had to choose, Koffi would have been my favorite. I liked her chapters best and enjoyed seeing her growth over the part of the story I did get through!
While I wasn't able to finish this book, it does have potential, and I think it boils down to it just not being for me. It was more slow-paced than I was hoping for, and I was really hoping for the settings to feel more alive to me as places on their own rather than being characterized by the people associated with them, but I do recognize that's a personal preference. I liked the influences present and I would recommend you try if you think this sounds like something you'd enjoy! I was just getting to the point where I was just unexcited to read it, and I want to put my focus on other titles.
thebeththing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.5