Scan barcode
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
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
eddieboy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
OOOOOOH SHIT THAT ENDING WENT HARD
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Body horror and Death of parent
Minor: Incest
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
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
lana_karas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
drasticpear's review against another edition
emotional
tense
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Everything faded, this world insignificant; James was the only real thing in it. You, you you. James's extraordinary beauty pressed in like a knife; it hurt.
Fuck me this was good. The characters are all interesting and loveable. I love Will & Violet's friendship. The fuckin twist! The goddamn ending! God!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Torture
Minor: War
bloomingrose92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
Amazing book. Would not be surprised if it gets heralded as a classic. Gives heavy, old-world fantasy vibes, like Lord of the Rings and Goose Girl. One of the best books I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Suicide, and War
Minor: Rape
Brief mentions of magical collar that allows complete submission of a person and was used in the past to force a person "kiss" and "be in another's bed".