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lavenderhimbo's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
This book is incredible. I only have a few critiques and they're not a big deal. The characters are consistent and unique, and they are clearly being set up for interesting arcs and growth. The worldbuilding is awesome so far and I can't wait to see where the plot goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Murder, Death of parent, Animal death, Violence, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Racism, Xenophobia, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual content, Sexism, and Homophobia
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the 4 character POVs we get, and was rooting for them all, even though some of them were opposed to each other. I felt a bit sad for a couple of them. But I don't think I really loved any of them. They felt like full characters, but I don't think they really changed much from beginning to end. The pacing was a little bit odd. The ending is pretty abrupt; this is definitely 1st in a trilogy, so don't expect any resolution. I do give props to the world building here, it was very interesting setting (a fantasy world inspired by Pre-Columbus Americas). For me personally, I was into the book when reading it, but often forgot about it when not reading. I will definitely pick up the sequel at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Murder, Self harm, Classism, Death, Child abuse, Suicide, Violence, Gore, Abandonment, and Alcohol
jaynovara's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death of parent, Self harm, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Torture
Minor: Religious bigotry, Cursing, and Sexual violence
barda's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was a broadly enjoyable book, though with some issues with pacing and characterisation, and a very slow start.
I loved the indigenous Americas-inspired setting, and the worldbuilding was fascinating. It offered up enough hints to form a relatively complete picture of the world, but holds back when it needs to to build up a sense of mystery. In particular I loved the Carrion Crows and how their culture and religion was portrayed, I really hope that the giant crows and the people that ride them are put more into the spotlight as the series goes on.
In terms of characters, I really enjoyed Xiala and found Serapio to be a really interesting character. Their journey together was heartwarming and tragic and I found them to be the best part of the book. However, felt like the other POV's in the book really contributed much to the overall story. Nara could have been a fascinating character, but she didn't do anything meaningful over the course of the book and from the ending it seems like the main bulk of her characterisation and actions may be saved for the second book. Okoa was simply boring, and he had so little screen time that I'm not quite sure why he was a POV in the book instead of being a secondary character (perhaps from the perspective of Nara).
The book also suffered from some very uneven pacing, with the beginning being quite slow with the action suddenly ramping up to be almost too fast in the last third of the book. I did quite enjoy the ending, however; it was a very grim ending with some huge implications for the world as a whole which I look forward to being explored in the next book.
Overall, the book was sometimes a too-slow read that could have benefitted with a change in who the POV characters were, but the worldbuilding made it a generally interesting read.
I loved the indigenous Americas-inspired setting, and the worldbuilding was fascinating. It offered up enough hints to form a relatively complete picture of the world, but holds back when it needs to to build up a sense of mystery. In particular I loved the Carrion Crows and how their culture and religion was portrayed, I really hope that the giant crows and the people that ride them are put more into the spotlight as the series goes on.
In terms of characters, I really enjoyed Xiala and found Serapio to be a really interesting character. Their journey together was heartwarming and tragic and I found them to be the best part of the book. However, felt like the other POV's in the book really contributed much to the overall story. Nara could have been a fascinating character, but she didn't do anything meaningful over the course of the book and from the ending it seems like the main bulk of her characterisation and actions may be saved for the second book. Okoa was simply boring, and he had so little screen time that I'm not quite sure why he was a POV in the book instead of being a secondary character (perhaps from the perspective of Nara).
The book also suffered from some very uneven pacing, with the beginning being quite slow with the action suddenly ramping up to be almost too fast in the last third of the book. I did quite enjoy the ending, however; it was a very grim ending with some huge implications for the world as a whole which I look forward to being explored in the next book.
Overall, the book was sometimes a too-slow read that could have benefitted with a change in who the POV characters were, but the worldbuilding made it a generally interesting read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Self harm
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Death, and Murder
Minor: Sexism, Xenophobia, and Cursing
wellreadandhalfdead's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
5.0
I was absolutely floored by this book. It is a stunning work of fantasy, nuanced but still pulsing with action and intrigue. It is based on pre-colonial Mesoamerican culture, which was such a breath of fresh air. I was so captured by the characters and the intricacies that tied them all together. It built steadily to a climax that had me instantly craving the next book. If all of the books in the series are as good as this first one, then I've found my new favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Self harm
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Pedophilia
ec_holland's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I’m learning I love fantasy sea journeys and complex magic systems that have a connection to political control.
The opening (and closing) scenes in this book were so brutal, that I initially put this book down and came back to it months later to try again. I’m really, really glad I did.
I enjoyed the pace and the world that was built and the subtle romance that developed. I’m looking forward to the next novel in the series.
The opening (and closing) scenes in this book were so brutal, that I initially put this book down and came back to it months later to try again. I’m really, really glad I did.
I enjoyed the pace and the world that was built and the subtle romance that developed. I’m looking forward to the next novel in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail
readsforlove's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book began a five star read, fell to 4 at about 70% of the way through, and then to 3.5 at the end. I was just so unsatisfied?? I also realized I didn't really /like/ most of the POV characters. I loved for Xiala. I would read dozens of novels just from her POV. But the others ... not so much. The opening chapter is something I will never forget though, and that listening experience was /wild/. I will definitely be listening to the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Suicide
Moderate: Self harm
kennim's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pros:
-The writing
-The wordbuilding
-The characters, particularly Serapio and Xiala
-The pacing
-The magic system/religions
-The writing
-The wordbuilding
-The characters, particularly Serapio and Xiala
-The pacing
-The magic system/religions
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Self harm
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Homophobia
alexalily's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Self harm, Child abuse, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Violence, Animal death, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
haylzno's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
My biggest, and only, complaint is the length of the chapters ( I am a short chapter girly) and some of these felt waaayyy to long.
Other than that, WOWOWOWWOWOW
As I am writing this, I have already finished reading the sequel, Fevered Star, and I can tell you the story only gets better.
High/adult fantasy has always intimidated me a bit, but I found this to be very easy to read. The world, magic system, and characters are all amazing.
I can't wait for the third book!
Other than that, WOWOWOWWOWOW
As I am writing this, I have already finished reading the sequel, Fevered Star, and I can tell you the story only gets better.
High/adult fantasy has always intimidated me a bit, but I found this to be very easy to read. The world, magic system, and characters are all amazing.
I can't wait for the third book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: War and Murder