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cayenne503's Reviews (227)
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fast paced and totally engrossing. Read the whole thing in just a few hours.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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
Overall: 5/5
I don’t know what to say. I’m devastated but I loved it. I finished reading and just had to stare at the wall for a few minutes.
Characters: 5/5
The four main characters are so well designed and well written, I found myself sympathizing with all of them at various points. Even Letty, though in the end I still hate her, is an excellent character.
Setting/Worldbuilding: 5/5
As a fictionalized version of the real world it’s not that hard to become immersed in the setting. The introduction of the more fantastical elements happens so gradually you almost don’t realize it. And the darker aspects of this world aren’t fiction at all, making it easier to accept the rest.
Plot: 5/5
I’m sure a lot of people will take issue with the pacing, but I think it works well for this story. The plot slowly builds and builds, with ever increasing stakes, until you can’t help but see yourself as Robin. One day you were just an undergraduate at university, and the next you’re leading a rebellion—and you’re not quite sure how you got there.
Writing: 5/5
A million stars. Beautiful. Would read the dictionary if Kuang wrote it in this style.
I don’t know what to say. I’m devastated but I loved it. I finished reading and just had to stare at the wall for a few minutes.
Characters: 5/5
The four main characters are so well designed and well written, I found myself sympathizing with all of them at various points. Even Letty, though in the end I still hate her, is an excellent character.
Setting/Worldbuilding: 5/5
As a fictionalized version of the real world it’s not that hard to become immersed in the setting. The introduction of the more fantastical elements happens so gradually you almost don’t realize it. And the darker aspects of this world aren’t fiction at all, making it easier to accept the rest.
Plot: 5/5
I’m sure a lot of people will take issue with the pacing, but I think it works well for this story. The plot slowly builds and builds, with ever increasing stakes, until you can’t help but see yourself as Robin. One day you were just an undergraduate at university, and the next you’re leading a rebellion—and you’re not quite sure how you got there.
Writing: 5/5
A million stars. Beautiful. Would read the dictionary if Kuang wrote it in this style.
I just couldn’t get into it. Got like a quarter of the way through the story and they still hadn’t gotten to the hunger games.
informative
inspiring
reflective
Well written, concise, and impactful.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: 4.5/5 really enjoyed this story, loved the unique setting. I’ll be picking up the next book in the series for sure.
Characters: 5/5
I almost downgraded the character for being annoying and illogical but had to remind myself that they are teenagers. Of course they’re annoying and illogical. They’re actually very well written with that fact, as well as the context of their upbringing, kept in mind.
Plot: 4/5
The tropes are tired but work for YA. Boy and girl meet, fall in love within days, boy declares he will do whatever is needed to protect girl, girl has unprecedented power and doesn’t need protection… if this were an adult novel instead of YA I think I would have given up. With that said, and without giving away spoilers, when the twist is revealed on one of the final chapters i will admit that I did not see it coming. I had my suspicions about the circumstances of Bree’s heritage but the consequence so many generations later took my by surprise.
Setting/Worldbuilding: 5/5
Love this! Very creative blend of real world, Arthurian legend, and original magic. I hope this gets explored more fully in the next book.
Writing: 4/5
My main gripe with the writing itself is the dialogue. There are so many times where the characters speak to each other in ways that don’t sound natural let alone like teenagers. On the other hand there are portions that just hit so hard I wanted to rate the book 5 stars then and there—particularly the moments when the main character realizes she’s being treated differently for being Black. It was not subtle, but it shouldn’t be.
Characters: 5/5
I almost downgraded the character for being annoying and illogical but had to remind myself that they are teenagers. Of course they’re annoying and illogical. They’re actually very well written with that fact, as well as the context of their upbringing, kept in mind.
Plot: 4/5
The tropes are tired but work for YA. Boy and girl meet, fall in love within days, boy declares he will do whatever is needed to protect girl, girl has unprecedented power and doesn’t need protection… if this were an adult novel instead of YA I think I would have given up. With that said, and without giving away spoilers, when the twist is revealed on one of the final chapters i will admit that I did not see it coming. I had my suspicions about the circumstances of Bree’s heritage but the consequence so many generations later took my by surprise.
Setting/Worldbuilding: 5/5
Love this! Very creative blend of real world, Arthurian legend, and original magic. I hope this gets explored more fully in the next book.
Writing: 4/5
My main gripe with the writing itself is the dialogue. There are so many times where the characters speak to each other in ways that don’t sound natural let alone like teenagers. On the other hand there are portions that just hit so hard I wanted to rate the book 5 stars then and there—particularly the moments when the main character realizes she’s being treated differently for being Black. It was not subtle, but it shouldn’t be.
dark
informative
Overall: 5/5
Excellent account of the lives of the five women murdered by Jack the Ripper. I was surprised that there was so much information about them, and saddened that it isn’t usually included in the story. It also made me think about the lives of women in general in the Victorian era and how difficult it was for them, especially in poverty.
Research and Accuracy: 5/5
Admittedly I’m taking the author’s word in the information presented but it does seem well researched. When little to no information is available, or is of questionable accuracy, the author does a good job of calling it out and suggesting multiple interpretations.
Characterization: 5/5
The women in this book do not feel like names and dates and nothing else, which is how they are often presented in other media about the Ripper case. They are real women with lives, families, desires, and struggles. While it should have been obvious in hindsight, the fact that they are usually reported as simply prostitutes is a disservice to their memory (and untrue, in most of the cases).
Bias and Perspective: 5/5
Difficult to rate this category. The author absolutely has an agenda/goal for the book: humanize and detail the victims. This inherently requires some amount of bias, otherwise it wouldn’t be very persuasive. However since this book is a reaction against the common perspective of the victims, a fact the author does not try to hide, I think that bias is appropriate and the new perspective she provides is compelling.
Impact: 5/5
I am guilty of enjoying true crime as entertainment—both contemporary stories and historical ones like Jack the Ripper or HH Holmes. It’s ghoulish and macabre to find fascination in these terrible crimes. We sensationalize the killers and their crimes, do deep dives into their lives and the investigations surrounding them. The absolute least we can do when telling these stories is remember the details of the victims’ lives and not just their names and how they died.
Narration: 5/5
I can’t say how much of my enjoyment of this book came from the fact that I listened to the audio version rather than reading myself. The narrator excels at using emphasis and inflection in the right way to keep what could possibly be dry information more interesting. (Amusingly, I listened to another book with the same narrator a month ago in a completely different genre. I thought I was going crazy thinking all narrators sound the same—nope, it really is the same person. She did a good job in that book too.)
Excellent account of the lives of the five women murdered by Jack the Ripper. I was surprised that there was so much information about them, and saddened that it isn’t usually included in the story. It also made me think about the lives of women in general in the Victorian era and how difficult it was for them, especially in poverty.
Research and Accuracy: 5/5
Admittedly I’m taking the author’s word in the information presented but it does seem well researched. When little to no information is available, or is of questionable accuracy, the author does a good job of calling it out and suggesting multiple interpretations.
Characterization: 5/5
The women in this book do not feel like names and dates and nothing else, which is how they are often presented in other media about the Ripper case. They are real women with lives, families, desires, and struggles. While it should have been obvious in hindsight, the fact that they are usually reported as simply prostitutes is a disservice to their memory (and untrue, in most of the cases).
Bias and Perspective: 5/5
Difficult to rate this category. The author absolutely has an agenda/goal for the book: humanize and detail the victims. This inherently requires some amount of bias, otherwise it wouldn’t be very persuasive. However since this book is a reaction against the common perspective of the victims, a fact the author does not try to hide, I think that bias is appropriate and the new perspective she provides is compelling.
Impact: 5/5
I am guilty of enjoying true crime as entertainment—both contemporary stories and historical ones like Jack the Ripper or HH Holmes. It’s ghoulish and macabre to find fascination in these terrible crimes. We sensationalize the killers and their crimes, do deep dives into their lives and the investigations surrounding them. The absolute least we can do when telling these stories is remember the details of the victims’ lives and not just their names and how they died.
Narration: 5/5
I can’t say how much of my enjoyment of this book came from the fact that I listened to the audio version rather than reading myself. The narrator excels at using emphasis and inflection in the right way to keep what could possibly be dry information more interesting. (Amusingly, I listened to another book with the same narrator a month ago in a completely different genre. I thought I was going crazy thinking all narrators sound the same—nope, it really is the same person. She did a good job in that book too.)
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: 2.5/5. I found this book so confusing it made me wonder if there was some secret other book on the series that I was supposed to have read, besides Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. I’ll probably read the next book if/when it comes out…but this entire series so far is pretty forgettable
Characters: 2/5
Every character is completely one dimensional with one or MAYBE two traits that define them. They don’t grow or change at all nor really suffer any negative consequences for failing to do so. Violet is the only POV for the majority of the series, obviously, and her repetitive self talk is so boring no wonder Tairn is grumpy. Second book it was all Xaden is keeping secrets, this book it’s all I have to find a way to save Xaden. Like, yeah I get it, you don’t need to keep saying it! Also how are you gonna introduce an adorable kitten, name it Broccoli, and then never mention it again. Criminal.
Setting/Worldbuilding: 2/5
Same complaint I had in the first book. The setting has so much potential but the worldbuilding just isn’t there. This is tough because I don’t really want to sit through pages upon pages of exposition but at the same time you can’t just start talking about the religions and other countries without giving any background.
Plot: 4/5
I do think Yarros is good at coming up with interesting stories. The overarching plot of the series, the individual books, and the adventures within each book are compelling even if they are railroaded.
Writing: 2/5
On the other hand I was not at all impressed with the writing itself. I wish I had counted how many times the word “onyx” was used as an adjective. I noticed the same thing with the word “iron” in the second book. I get why you’re writing it that way but it’s SO heavy handed. Similarly, the same small set of adjectives get used in every scene, practically. Violet wielding lightning? Blistering. Having sex with Xaden? Shattering. Someone is upset? Icy. Thesauruses exist!
Characters: 2/5
Every character is completely one dimensional with one or MAYBE two traits that define them. They don’t grow or change at all nor really suffer any negative consequences for failing to do so. Violet is the only POV for the majority of the series, obviously, and her repetitive self talk is so boring no wonder Tairn is grumpy. Second book it was all Xaden is keeping secrets, this book it’s all I have to find a way to save Xaden. Like, yeah I get it, you don’t need to keep saying it! Also how are you gonna introduce an adorable kitten, name it Broccoli, and then never mention it again. Criminal.
Setting/Worldbuilding: 2/5
Same complaint I had in the first book. The setting has so much potential but the worldbuilding just isn’t there. This is tough because I don’t really want to sit through pages upon pages of exposition but at the same time you can’t just start talking about the religions and other countries without giving any background.
Plot: 4/5
I do think Yarros is good at coming up with interesting stories. The overarching plot of the series, the individual books, and the adventures within each book are compelling even if they are railroaded.
Writing: 2/5
On the other hand I was not at all impressed with the writing itself. I wish I had counted how many times the word “onyx” was used as an adjective. I noticed the same thing with the word “iron” in the second book. I get why you’re writing it that way but it’s SO heavy handed. Similarly, the same small set of adjectives get used in every scene, practically. Violet wielding lightning? Blistering. Having sex with Xaden? Shattering. Someone is upset? Icy. Thesauruses exist!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Characters: 2/5
Setting/worldbuilding: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing: 1/5
Narration: 5/5
This book is definitely written for a specific target audience, and it isn’t me. The author relies on regular doses of pop culture references to keep you engaged. Which, to be fair, is actually part of the worldbuilding so to a certain degree it would be fine, except that these instances are usually followed by some version of someone explicitly saying HEY THAT WAS A REFERENCE TO THIS THING. The overall setting world building were disappointing. I think there was definitely more potential than was explored because it was a really interesting premise but it got too caught up in its own desire to be an homage to the 80s 98% of the time.
There’s way too much exposition in the form of the main character sitting the reader down and spoonfeeding the exact relevant history to understand a scene or explaining how video games work (both with respect to a specific game or just generic concepts like experience points).
Speaking of the main character, what a cringey human being. I don’t want to post spoilers but there’s a traumatic event that you would think would have a major impact on him emotionally and he barely reacts at all. It basically is limited to him thinking a sentence or two about it and then moving on with his life. Also, how he somehow has the incredible ability to call up the exact skill required for every situation, real world or not, and has seemingly unlimited resources and always has the perfect weapon/item/artifact in the game. Ostensibly there’s an explanation for why this is so but it’s incredibly hand wavy. Add to this his creepy obsession with the ONLY outwardly female character with any screen time, who tells him to his face that he’s creepy and she doesn’t agree with several decisions that he makes, but everything turns out fine and they live happily ever after (I presume. I won’t be reading the sequel to find out. )
The plot is just meh. This is the kind of story where once you hear the setup in the first chapter you know exactly how it will go if not specifics. There were precisely two points that surprised me when they came up, and one of them shouldn’t have been a surprise because it was a total Chekov’s gun that I just forgot about. Amusing enough but nothing noteworthy.
I don’t think I would have finished this book if I were reading instead of listening. As annoying as the plot, writing, and characters were at least Wil Wheaton made it interesting.
Setting/worldbuilding: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing: 1/5
Narration: 5/5
This book is definitely written for a specific target audience, and it isn’t me. The author relies on regular doses of pop culture references to keep you engaged. Which, to be fair, is actually part of the worldbuilding so to a certain degree it would be fine, except that these instances are usually followed by some version of someone explicitly saying HEY THAT WAS A REFERENCE TO THIS THING. The overall setting world building were disappointing. I think there was definitely more potential than was explored because it was a really interesting premise but it got too caught up in its own desire to be an homage to the 80s 98% of the time.
There’s way too much exposition in the form of the main character sitting the reader down and spoonfeeding the exact relevant history to understand a scene or explaining how video games work (both with respect to a specific game or just generic concepts like experience points).
Speaking of the main character, what a cringey human being. I don’t want to post spoilers but there’s a traumatic event that you would think would have a major impact on him emotionally and he barely reacts at all. It basically is limited to him thinking a sentence or two about it and then moving on with his life. Also, how he somehow has the incredible ability to call up the exact skill required for every situation, real world or not, and has seemingly unlimited resources and always has the perfect weapon/item/artifact in the game. Ostensibly there’s an explanation for why this is so but it’s incredibly hand wavy. Add to this his creepy obsession with the ONLY outwardly female character with any screen time, who tells him to his face that he’s creepy and she doesn’t agree with several decisions that he makes, but everything turns out fine and they live happily ever after (I presume. I won’t be reading the sequel to find out. )
The plot is just meh. This is the kind of story where once you hear the setup in the first chapter you know exactly how it will go if not specifics. There were precisely two points that surprised me when they came up, and one of them shouldn’t have been a surprise because it was a total Chekov’s gun that I just forgot about. Amusing enough but nothing noteworthy.
I don’t think I would have finished this book if I were reading instead of listening. As annoying as the plot, writing, and characters were at least Wil Wheaton made it interesting.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Setting/worldbuilding: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Excellent sci fi novella! The POV character is great and the author does a wonderful job of telling a human story from the perspective of a non human. The plot is very straightforward and we get barely any world building/lore—both of which I think are fine for such a short book. I know this is a series, which I fully intend to continue, so I hope to see those aspects explored more deeply in future books.
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Excellent sci fi novella! The POV character is great and the author does a wonderful job of telling a human story from the perspective of a non human. The plot is very straightforward and we get barely any world building/lore—both of which I think are fine for such a short book. I know this is a series, which I fully intend to continue, so I hope to see those aspects explored more deeply in future books.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Setting/worldbuilding: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Honestly the only thing that stopped this from being a 5 star book for me is the very weird plot structure with the huge climax occurring at the 50% mark. Up to that point I was convinced I was reading the rare six star book. The second half of the story is a completely different book than the first half, and the final chapter set up so much potential for more story only to just…end. I immediately went to the author’s website to see if there were any plans to expand but sadly she has posted that the series and universe are discontinued permanently. I would love to see more of this world.
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Honestly the only thing that stopped this from being a 5 star book for me is the very weird plot structure with the huge climax occurring at the 50% mark. Up to that point I was convinced I was reading the rare six star book. The second half of the story is a completely different book than the first half, and the final chapter set up so much potential for more story only to just…end. I immediately went to the author’s website to see if there were any plans to expand but sadly she has posted that the series and universe are discontinued permanently. I would love to see more of this world.