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eagle0515's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
mirandyli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bellyreads's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Misogyny, Transphobia, and Vomit
kristenmarienp's review against another edition
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
voidature's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Transphobia and Vomit
kayleypew's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
The intro was so painfully wordy and over descriptive of nothing happening I almost frogged it, but truly had to reread sections multiple times to stay focused long enough to put meaning to the words. Thankfully the wordiness subdues and becomes more readable.
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Abandonment
abarnakwn_ourcolourfulpages's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
elizabeth_delozier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A well written, beautifully painful - yet enjoyable, gay fantasy romance. The book features some fun tropes: politically arranged marriage, one-bed, some pining. PLEASE Check your trigger warnings for this one! I listed some at the bottom of this review. This book contains very heavy themes and the primary character development for Velasin surrounds overcoming various traumatic experiences. If that feels daunting, this book may not be for you.
There are a lot of politics taking place in the book, without the reader feeling bogged down by a confusing political system. Rather, the politics are written in a way the provide intrigue and help further the story development. One complaint I see in other's reviews is that the mystery portion felt drawn out...I disagree. It think it was a good subplot that allowed space for each of the love interests to see different sides of each other while also providing an intriguing non-romantic plot line. Also, the addition of magic, while perhaps unnecessary was done well and enjoyable, without it being a major focus of the story.
I loved all of the representation in this story: the main characters are a gay man and a bi man, one character is mute and communicates primarily through sign language, and there is both trans and nonbinary rep.
This is a highly recommend for anyone who enjoys fantasy romance...who has checked the trigger warnings.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by James Fouhey and Vikas Adam, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
TWs: On-page rape occurring/by
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Outing
jessie_h's review against another edition
5.0
This book, y’all. My heart is full. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It even made me gasp out loud. And it was beautifully and delightfully queer. It is hands down one of my top three favorite books of 2022 and as of right now it IS my favorite of the year.
Someone please tell me there’s going to be a sequel or companion novel or something because I need more! More of this world and more of these characters!
That being said there are some heavy topics in this book and the TW/CWs should be paid attention to. I will say that these topics were treated with the kindness and respect they deserved without sugarcoating them. I can only applaud Foz Meadows for her treatment of them.
TW/CW: sexual assault/rape (on page), suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide/self harm, homophobia, PTSD/trauma, violence, injury/injury detail, blood, murder, animal death (horse).*
*There are probably more but these are the major ones that I remember.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent