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A review by idanolberger
Crier's War by Nina Varela
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Going into this book, I didn't really know too much and I also didn't have any expectations. I only knew it was a Sapphic fantasy with the enemies-to-lovers trope. Like many others, I am a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope. While it could've had more tension between Crier and Ayla, it was still good.
I was, at first, a bit turned off by the info-dump in the beginning. I didn't quite understand much of it, nor was I able to keep all the information in my head for more than 2 seconds, making it a bit hard to follow. I would have preferred to get into the book and the world before getting a history lesson in said world. I did listen to the book which might make it more difficult with all the years and numbers. But once I was past that section I was sucked into an intriguing story about two girls, from very different backgrounds, whos lives get intertwined in complicated ways.
I found the characters in this book very interesting and well written. The wlw representation was good. I especially like that the book didn't include a huge triangle drama with a boy. I like the slow building of Ayla and Crier's relationship and trust and how fragile it is. How one wrong move can break it all down to nothing. But I found the pacing kind of weird at times.
I had a strong dislike for Kinok early in the book and it only grew as the story continued. He is a great villain, and abuser. His abuse of Crier is not physical but psychological. He essentially gaslights her throughout the book, manipulating her and her thoughts. It's not an obvious abuse as it is not visible from the outside, it is barely even visible to Crier for a substantial part of the book, which is why I think it is so brilliant. You only get hints of it and a bad feeling, but not very much palpable proof.
All in all, I liked the book (the ending had me hooked) and I am looking forward to reading the second book!
I was, at first, a bit turned off by the info-dump in the beginning. I didn't quite understand much of it, nor was I able to keep all the information in my head for more than 2 seconds, making it a bit hard to follow. I would have preferred to get into the book and the world before getting a history lesson in said world. I did listen to the book which might make it more difficult with all the years and numbers. But once I was past that section I was sucked into an intriguing story about two girls, from very different backgrounds, whos lives get intertwined in complicated ways.
I found the characters in this book very interesting and well written. The wlw representation was good. I especially like that the book didn't include a huge triangle drama with a boy. I like the slow building of Ayla and Crier's relationship and trust and how fragile it is. How one wrong move can break it all down to nothing. But I found the pacing kind of weird at times.
All in all, I liked the book (the ending had me hooked) and I am looking forward to reading the second book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting