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aether's Reviews (111)
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting tale of the fallibility of those who would consider themselves all-powerful. This brought a unique perspective on trauma, determination, and forging the future. The book was a little slow to start up, and the final twist didn't quite land for me. The ending was hopeful though, which I appreciated! And there was lots of implicit gayness and gender throughout which is always lovely to see as something completely normal.
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Few books have ever made me so intent on peeling apart the mystery within its pages. The day after I finished the book, I spent half an hour the next morning cross referencing pieces of it with the other two. I took a walk with my dog when I was 3/4ths of the way through and had an epiphany about the characters, I couldn't wait to get home and jot it down to see if it squared out. I wrote all the theories I had going in on the front cover. I was SO CONSUMED by this book and this series in ways I never have. I pushed everything in my life aside to see this book through and it was so incredibly worth it. It's wild to see the characters have a path in front of them, and then watch them go "screw it" and take a completely different turn. This will give the previous two books a totally different meaning.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Cute cute cute! Put this on the list of "manga that is trans in spirit but not in text"
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fascinating and alluring sequel to Gideon the Ninth. So many mysteries unfold in this book, and yet I'm left with yet more questions. It is impressive to see the Lyctors work, and the battles they face. The use of second person was so unique and impressive! I read 300 pages in one sitting and this book consumed me until I could see it through to the end.
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Complicated
This book is Dune + Dark Souls + Lesbians + necromancy + the biggest enemies-to-lovers plot line I've ever seen + sex jokes + processing cult trauma. What more could you ask for?!? Could not put it down, I had to find out what happened with these characters and the creepy old crypt-from-the-past-but-with-ancient-science-tech-that-makes-it-seem-futuristic.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
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:
No
A fascinating view into what a whole anarchist country might look like. And how it is centered on relationship and mutual respect.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I cried. Many times. Sabrina's book is so hard to describe - the stories they tell through various ocean creatures and the way they weave their life into these metaphors. While there was much of these stories that I couldn't relate to, I was profoundly moved by them. There were also stories that resonated with me so deeply as a queer, trans woman that I couldn't help but stop reading for a moment as I wiped my tears off the page. I was so touched by the last chapter, where Sabrina brings in the perspectives of a number of other queer (mostly trans) people to talk about rebirth and renewal. And along the way, I've learned so much about sea creatures! This was just such an incredible book.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Following on the heels of Gunrunner and her Hound, I was so pleased to find this was in the same universe. And a t4t primary relationship to boot? This one's incredible!
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a ride, I never thought I'd fall in love with a cast of arms dealers and their periphery. I do wish there were more trans characters in this one, but it sounds like I won't be disappointed with the rest of the series in that respect! The scenes are exciting, the sex is hot, and the love is firery. Maria Ying has a way with words that makes my breath catch.
adventurous
emotional
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
I was ENTHRALLED by this book. Could not put it down! The bit about both main characters having separate secrets, and the way it played out, was incredible.