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A review by loveforwords
Crier's War by Nina Varela
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
Characters
I will die to protect Crier and Ayla (and Benjy). They're so pure.
The softness, confusion, awkwardness, and fire that make up Crier and Ayla... *chef's kiss* I was burning for their moments together, and I got so giddy every time they interacted. My mother said she hadn't seen me be so extra in a while.
In comparison, most of the characters felt 2D, with only one side showing and no backstory or complex personality.
My absolute favourite thing is Crier's internal struggle over her "human emotions" and Ayla's refusal to admit her feelings because of who they are for. That's such good queer struggle rep, and it focuses on the human-Autonoma topic instead of directly being about the refusal to be f/f.
Worldbuilding and Plot
I felt like the world could have been a little more fleshed out. After a whole book, the social system still isn't very clear to me, and neither is the extent of power or influence that science/alchemy has. We don't really get to see what the world is like, even just regarding simple stuff, like what buildings look like.
The story largely makes up for it, though. Idk if it's just me, but the twist at the end... *swoons* I'm so excited to read Iron Heart. We're left with Crier having to make a big decision (and we just understand the name of the book).
Writing, Pacing, and Mood
The pacing was so good that I completely forgot this book is over 400 pages. I didn't want to fall asleep until I'd finished the story. And I was never bored by the events, Nina Varela never dwelled too much on descriptions, and the mood went from soft to tense to awkward with no hiccups.
Books With the Same ✨Energy✨
- Girls of Paper and Fire
- Cinderella Is Dead
I will die to protect Crier and Ayla (and Benjy). They're so pure.
The softness, confusion, awkwardness, and fire that make up Crier and Ayla... *chef's kiss* I was burning for their moments together, and I got so giddy every time they interacted. My mother said she hadn't seen me be so extra in a while.
In comparison, most of the characters felt 2D, with only one side showing and no backstory or complex personality.
My absolute favourite thing is Crier's internal struggle over her "human emotions" and Ayla's refusal to admit her feelings because of who they are for. That's such good queer struggle rep, and it focuses on the human-Autonoma topic instead of directly being about the refusal to be f/f.
Worldbuilding and Plot
I felt like the world could have been a little more fleshed out. After a whole book, the social system still isn't very clear to me, and neither is the extent of power or influence that science/alchemy has. We don't really get to see what the world is like, even just regarding simple stuff, like what buildings look like.
The story largely makes up for it, though. Idk if it's just me, but the twist at the end... *swoons* I'm so excited to read Iron Heart. We're left with Crier having to make a big decision (and we just understand the name of the book).
Writing, Pacing, and Mood
The pacing was so good that I completely forgot this book is over 400 pages. I didn't want to fall asleep until I'd finished the story. And I was never bored by the events, Nina Varela never dwelled too much on descriptions, and the mood went from soft to tense to awkward with no hiccups.
Books With the Same ✨Energy✨
- Girls of Paper and Fire
- Cinderella Is Dead