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A review by jcaikin
Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I think this is a wonderful, horrible book. To me, it felt especially poignant to read with current events as they are and serve as a grim reminder what the realities of war entail.
This story is cruel, torturous, and, at times, unclear. I didn't feel the violence to be gratuitous or intended for shock value, but a blunt reflection of how low humans can sink in their treatment of each other.
I can understand where some readers may find it frustrating or off-putting that it's unclear what the technology of the Lucis includes but I found myself along for the ride through Sloane, outsider looking in. And, like Sloane, I found I didn't really care. What difference does it make how the oppressors operate - they wield lies, deception, and hatred.
Sloane is just a kid who has her childhood, innocence, family, and friends ripped from her at every turn, over and over again. Her asé is her only connection to her culture, but even that is a painful mystery to her.
(Slight spoiler) Even the romance, to me, served as a grim reminder of the potential for betrayal at any corner. After everything she suffers through, you know it's a bad idea and doesn't make sense, but that's kind of the point, isn't it? The desperation for human connection that comes from deep suffering. But this is war, and the only person you can trust is yourself.
Be prepared to lose everything and everyone because no one walks away from war unscathed.
This story is cruel, torturous, and, at times, unclear. I didn't feel the violence to be gratuitous or intended for shock value, but a blunt reflection of how low humans can sink in their treatment of each other.
I can understand where some readers may find it frustrating or off-putting that it's unclear what the technology of the Lucis includes but I found myself along for the ride through Sloane, outsider looking in. And, like Sloane, I found I didn't really care. What difference does it make how the oppressors operate - they wield lies, deception, and hatred.
Sloane is just a kid who has her childhood, innocence, family, and friends ripped from her at every turn, over and over again. Her asé is her only connection to her culture, but even that is a painful mystery to her.
(Slight spoiler) Even the romance, to me, served as a grim reminder of the potential for betrayal at any corner. After everything she suffers through, you know it's a bad idea and doesn't make sense, but that's kind of the point, isn't it? The desperation for human connection that comes from deep suffering. But this is war, and the only person you can trust is yourself.
Be prepared to lose everything and everyone because no one walks away from war unscathed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Torture
Minor: Self harm