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sairc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can see how others felt it maybe dragged a little at times with over explanation, and an epilogue would have been nice but honestly, I didn’t care, and the lack of epilogue was kind of a refreshing change.
Overall, this was beautifully written and explored some incredibly tense themes that are all too common in the real world as well. So so so so good! I will be recommending this to everyone.
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt
naimar'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
5.0
This was an incredible book. There were so many things I loved about it. The story follows the first woman highmage and her assistant, a man belonging to the Kwen, a race that is oppressed within the city of Tiran. Both these characters, Sciona and Thomil, are very compelling. Getting into Sciona’s shoes and feeling what she was feeling happened seamlessly for me while reading because the book really draws you into her head. The magic system is very scientific and refreshing to read about. I also loved the real-world applicable commentary in the book. It tackles the idea of layers of oppression, colonization, and revolution very well. For people who liked books like Babel by R.F Kuang, this has a similar feel in its commentary on colonial power. The prose was often unexpectedly beautiful, there would be scenes or thoughts characters were having and then one line would suddenly slam into me with its emotional impact. It was also a page turner and I finished it very quickly.
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence
darreck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
mari_epub's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
awxiee'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
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Violence, and Religious bigotry
ohennui's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Genocide, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent
meganpbell's review
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Infertility, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty
razalicious's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
alite428's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Torture
jadehusdanhicks'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
4.25
The blight kills without shame and destroys anything with life that it touches from trees and plants to unravelling a human infront of your eyes.
We see our main character develop a lot throughout this book, as an academic she questions everything and despite Kwen being frowned upon in their city when she is mocked by her all male peers for being the first female archmage ever she takes the Kwen janitor under her wing as her assistant.
Its narrative addresses issues such as genocide/ seeing certain groups as lesser beings as well as colonisation in the form of
Overall despite being deep and at sometimes saddening I truly loved this book and could not put it down. It’s unique from its magic system, to how it addresses social issues and I think is a vital addition to diversifying the worlds of sci fi and fantasy.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail