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jaedia's reviews
86 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Death of parent
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Many, many errors. So many that I lost count. A couple POVs that I feel could have led to more interesting reveals if we didn't follow their perspectives in this book, though I loved Rylan, Lorelei, and Rhiannon was interesting. Rylan was my favourite, of course. He's the most interesting character here. I do wish the ending had a little more time in the oven, perhaps? There were moments that I felt weren't given quite the gravitas they could have and others that were a little rushed, but it did a great job of pushing the action and delivering on some really cool scenes.
Obviously, my favourite things here were the dragons and how each colour differs from the next, the whole thing surrounding bonding and the tethers. This was really well thought out and executed across the board. And the Holt, in general. The absolutely gargantuan Citadel trees and the cities built within their boughs, the Kin that call it home and what that means for them with the Empire on their doorstep, and the magic system. It spoke to my inner Druid so much.
I can't wait for the continuation of this series! I want to spend more time with some of these characters and see how they grow and change and interact, who else we get to meet, explore the book's threat further and unlock more lost lore. I am an absolute sucker for ancient lost lore being recovered in this way. Chef's kiss.
If you're looking for a fun high fantasy book, this was a joy. Definitely going to go back and pick up Beaulieu's other works now! I do have the airship one on my Kindle but I'll try and get hold of Twelve Kings and the novella for Book of the Holt, for sure.
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Miscarriage, Rape, and War
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Self harm, Violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Drug use, Racism, Torture, and War
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, and Stalking
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Dementia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Terminal illness, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Stalking, Car accident, and Alcohol
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I just didn't personally feel like this one is "horror". Not to say that it isn't! Just didn't work for me. And it got... pretty dang weird and it's taken me a few days to work out if that's good weird or bad weird and I.. think, it's not good weird but not quite bad weird, if that makes any sense.
So 2 stars because the journey is great, but the ending really let it down for me.
I do recommend this one to people who find the concept of movie making, particularly indie movie making, interesting. I think you'd probably get some joy out of this one.