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capriqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
Oh boy what a ride. A very compelling story, I was hooked the whole time. The mystery and the magic were well done, and the characters both captured and broke my heart. I really didn’t see the plot twists coming, but I did eventually figure out the last one toward the end. The final plot twist does make the story feel a little muddled now, and I’m not sure what the new end goal is, but I’m excited to find out
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and War
fleurlf907's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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: Violence and Murder
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
not_another_ana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
When the past is forgotten, then it can return. Only those who remember have the chance to stave it off. For the dark is never truly gone; it only waits for the world to forget, so that it may rise again.
Will has been on the run since his mother was murdered right in front of him. Hiding and always looking over his shoulder, Will has managed to find himself in London working odd jobs until one day his past catches up to him. It's then that Will finds out that he comes from a very powerful bloodline and that he might be the only one able to defeat the growing ancient evil. Joining the Stewards, the only ones who remember the ancient world of magic and who know what's coming, Will must train and gain allies while uncovering what really happened and how does he fit in this long standing fight.
I had fun with this one, it's a little slow at first but I get it because there was a lot of worldbuilding to do. There are also a lot of clues in this first part to all the big reveals at the end, and since I enjoy unraveling plot and mysteries I liked this bit and was paying close attention. It's a book that deals in complex moralities for all factions and demands focus of the reader. I guessed almost all the big plot twists but there were some I never saw coming, even I you realize things before time the way they're constructed and the road the author takes to get there are such a delight.
Will is a fantastic protagonist, he's not ultra powerful or noble he's someone who relies on wit and cleverness. He's always paying attention, he's manipulative yet very charismatic and easily draws people in. Violet is another standout character, she's strong and moral, dedicated and a great friend. The two of them made sense as the main POVs, both had different things to do and places to be and together they connected the plot points naturally.
I do think some events were a little bit too convenient, the plot hinges heavily on people assuming things and not double checking certain details. There are also some plot points that I'm still not too clear on,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, Torture, Blood, and Death of parent
lovehavi's review against another edition
3.0
cool concept but not as fleshed out as i would have liked. also i need this author to let go of her obsession with collars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Racism, and Violence
there is pretty blatant incest that just occurs and is not even challenged???????? unnecessaryapoll0_yon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
baksaydora's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- 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
This book was amazing, C.S.Pacat did it again.
The characters are lovable, interesting, don't feel two dimensional at all.
The worldbuilding is interesting so far, and I feel we will explore more in the second book.
The chemistry between Will and James were chemistrying. As someone who read her other series, I believe the yearning will be even better in the second book.
I figured out the plot twist halfway through, but it did not make me lose enjoyment from the story.
I can't wait to read the second book.
The characters are lovable, interesting, don't feel two dimensional at all.
The worldbuilding is interesting so far, and I feel we will explore more in the second book.
The chemistry between Will and James were chemistrying. As someone who read her other series, I believe the yearning will be even better in the second book.
I figured out the plot twist halfway through, but it did not make me lose enjoyment from the story.
I can't wait to read the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Racism and 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
alexandryareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
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