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hollylayne22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Animal death, Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
nightshaderoots's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Characters- 5
Each character had growth and depth to them. They all had their own goals and aspirations outside of not only the main character but their shared goals. Not only that but everyone interacted with each other in a way that made sense for each relationship. You grew with Will and Violet’s friendship so their bond was able to feel more concrete throughout the story. You were able to get into the characters’ heads which made their actions down the line more believable. Because of this it made it easier to relate to certain characters and feel as if their dreams and goals were your own. You rooted for each victory and felt upset at each loss.
Enjoyment- 5
Overall this was a fun read. I would reread it to see the build up with the knowledge I had of what happens in the end. The characters and world was refreshing to read about and nothing ever felt too forced. I was never pushed to the point of frustration with pacing or cliffhangers so it was a steady read. It was enough fantasy where it could be enjoyed by someone who doesn’t read the genre often and enough to keep someone who does stay engaged.
Messages- 5
What I took away from the book was that you are more than who you were and are. The characters were often tied with their identities and destinies and depending on who it was they either defied it or embraced it. Another one being that memory is both a blessing and a curse. It can plague the mind or be comforting as it gets passed down. Another theme that I noticed that was consistent with the book was that there is no solely good or solely evil. Everything had a grey area whether that be the systems in the world or the characters themselves. The author did a good job showcasing all the different aspects and perspectives within the book’s elements.
Plot- 5
There was never a point where I was pushed to frustration with the pacing of the book. The cliffhangers felt right where it was used and didn’t just feel like it was used just for dramatic effect. The only reason why it took me a little longer in the beginning versus the end of the book was because I just started getting back into reading so I had to build up my stamina for a little while. The plot was consistent even if it wasn’t always focused on it. Even though the story was broken down into different perspectives it still centered around the main plot in their own special ways.
Emotional impact- 5
Because these were kids being thrown into a world they didn’t fully understand it was easy to put myself in their shoes. Their fears felt as if it was my own due to the author’s way of describing not only the character’s response to it but the surroundings as well. The author showed the horrors of war in a way that felt real and not just killing characters just for a shock factor solely. The scenes were laid out so that there was tension and suspense not just thrown haphazardly in there. It made sense for the context surrounding it.
Worldbuilding- 5
I will not lie, in the beginning I was a bit lost in world building mostly because I was not familiar with boats and life in 1820’s London. However this was overlooked due to the natural and easy going way the author showcased the Old World and its rules and lore. It was spread throughout the book in digestible pieces that made it easier to immerse myself into the book. The world was consistent and felt lived in, not something just created for the book to talk about. The characters felt like they belonged in the world and it all melted together well. What I also appreciated was that the stories and what the characters knew about the world was slowly introduced throughout the book and not just info dumped. Each time a story was mentioned another element was added or how it was viewed was changed making it not feel repetitive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Vomit
aslikeanarnian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A really excellent opening book to a new trilogy. I am really fascinated by the way that Pacat’s book is in conversation with the fantasy I grew up reading (LOTR, Narnia, etc) in the way he sets up an epic conflict of The Light vs The Dark. But then she uses that very familiar setup to ask a really interesting question about what it truly means to be good or evil.
I absolutely cannot wait to continue the series.
I absolutely cannot wait to continue the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
kelseydaffodil's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
i would absolutely die for james and violet. i do not feel as strongly about will as everyone else seems to, especially in the last 3 pages. but wow. i loved this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Vomit, and Grief
skillyillian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
It would be five stars but it feels like it takes simply forever for anything to really get going. But otherwise, oh my god. Oh my god. Fuck. Literally immediately got the next one and started it less than five minutes after finishing dark rise. God help me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
xandra1412's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Classism
megan_smalls's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
I loved this book; it might be my favorite read of the year. It's such a beautifully written story with many moving parts and characters. The fantasy world is well thought out and described. Diverse character set and in passing queer romances without bigotry/hate language surrounding said romances. Held true to the YA fantasy genre with just brief romantic elements/mentions without it taking the focus from the main plotline. While the twist was predictable, it was so well-written that it didn't matter that there was predictability. A bit of narrator unreliability added depth to the story and was helpful as a reader to learn the magical/fantastical world alongside the MMC. While I would tag content warnings for this book, it was no worse than the big names within the YA genre with war/violent elements (Hunger Games, PJO, Cruel Prince, etc.).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
redpollrory's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Grief, and War
Minor: Emotional abuse, Slavery, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism
myahthebookfiend's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars. I was going back and forth between 3 and 4 stars, so 3.5 it is.
The beginning was slow. Slow enough that I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. I did, though, which I'm glad for. The book kept me well enough entertained, but I was bored with some parts. I think what boosts my rating of it was the ending. Talk about a twist. Super interesting plot idea, and I'm overall glad I read it.
The beginning was slow. Slow enough that I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. I did, though, which I'm glad for. The book kept me well enough entertained, but I was bored with some parts. I think what boosts my rating of it was the ending. Talk about a twist. Super interesting plot idea, and I'm overall glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and War
katievallin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Rape, and Slavery