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sincerelymarika's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I love love loved this book!!! Seeing Velasin and Caethari fall for each other set my heart aflutter. There were some points where I literally could stop kicking my feet.
I think the book dealt with its heavier topics respectively if not a bit heavy handed in stating its thesis on each characters’ culpability, or lack of, to various events.
I think the book dealt with its heavier topics respectively if not a bit heavy handed in stating its thesis on each characters’ culpability, or lack of, to various events.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
christcooper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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 complex tale of arranged marriage turning into genuine love between two characters whose slow-building affection for each other is endearing, sweet, and extremely hot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia
silkwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I absolutely loved this book. The pacing is a little much given SO much happens in about a week but takes a long time to explain it all. Over all I really liked the main characters and look forward to the sequel. There are a few things that happen I could nit pick but over all a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
municipalvampire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Violence
umi_no_tenshi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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: Animal death, Sexual assault, and Violence
tragicgloom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury
madilowe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
It was an enjoyable read, and maybe if I wasn't fresh out of a reading slump, it would have rated a little higher...or a little lower.
The central mystery wasn't enough to keep me with bated breath, and the development of their relationship didn't have me 100% hooked, but both things had me 80% locked in enough to enjoy the read and not feel like the middle of the book was a slog. There were 5 star and 2 star moments sprinkled in there, with more of the former than the latter, but what had otherwise been consistent pacing and a good rhythm fell apart at the end, which pulled it out of 4 star territory.
Definitely worth reading, but it's not enough of any one thing for me to wholeheartedly endorse it. Jack of all trades, master of none: the book.
The central mystery wasn't enough to keep me with bated breath, and the development of their relationship didn't have me 100% hooked, but both things had me 80% locked in enough to enjoy the read and not feel like the middle of the book was a slog. There were 5 star and 2 star moments sprinkled in there, with more of the former than the latter, but what had otherwise been consistent pacing and a good rhythm fell apart at the end, which pulled it out of 4 star territory.
Definitely worth reading, but it's not enough of any one thing for me to wholeheartedly endorse it. Jack of all trades, master of none: the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
bellyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
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
beanieberta's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book is... a lot. I do not know where to start exactly. There are two main plots: Velasin's healing journey and the murder mystery.
A fair warning, something fairly traumatic happens to Velasin right at the start, but it will be thoroughly handled and examined in the course of the book. While at first shocking, i think the on page description was necessary to later fully understand the mental struggles Velasin faces.
Then the murder mystery: I love that Velasin is smart, and it's so interesting when he unravels connections, motives and complicated knots both metaphorically and literally.
Cae and Vel are an impressive team right from the start, even if they take a while to realize that on a personal level, too. Cae is a kind-hearted soldier who prefers to think more straight-forward, but he has a tactical mind as well. Velasin is a genius in court intrigue and sees what Cae doesn't. Together, they're a pretty unstoppable force.
The book is written in wonderful, poetic prose, but there is so much action happening that I think I need to read it again so I can appreciate the colorful, beautiful words and world-building. At times, I felt like there was happening too much and I felt a bit overwhelmed. The days are long - the book feels incredibly fast-paced, but a single day covers about 150 pages. But that's because, as I said, there is always happening so much as they rush from one place to another, find another clue, another murder, another lead.
All in all, I loved this book. It's been forever on my tbr pile, and I am glad I finally read it.
A fair warning, something fairly traumatic happens to Velasin right at the start, but it will be thoroughly handled and examined in the course of the book. While at first shocking, i think the on page description was necessary to later fully understand the mental struggles Velasin faces.
Then the murder mystery: I love that Velasin is smart, and it's so interesting when he unravels connections, motives and complicated knots both metaphorically and literally.
Cae and Vel are an impressive team right from the start, even if they take a while to realize that on a personal level, too. Cae is a kind-hearted soldier who prefers to think more straight-forward, but he has a tactical mind as well. Velasin is a genius in court intrigue and sees what Cae doesn't. Together, they're a pretty unstoppable force.
The book is written in wonderful, poetic prose, but there is so much action happening that I think I need to read it again so I can appreciate the colorful, beautiful words and world-building. At times, I felt like there was happening too much and I felt a bit overwhelmed. The days are long - the book feels incredibly fast-paced, but a single day covers about 150 pages. But that's because, as I said, there is always happening so much as they rush from one place to another, find another clue, another murder, another lead.
All in all, I loved this book. It's been forever on my tbr pile, and I am glad I finally read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
pettypierrot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault