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corabookworm's Reviews (264)
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really good fantasy book. Kal's storyline especially was really interesting and compelling. Looking forward to reading more Brandon Sanderson.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
I feel like the two parts of this book were their own books. Like the first is the ending that book 1 was missing, and the second was much more of a sequel in that it had a time jump and a tone switch and different characters and stuff. I enjoyed the second part a lot.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Super interesting concept and good execution. Ending was a tad anticlimactic and there was less zombi action than I’d hoped but still super good. Glad there is a sequel. (Also loved the surprise LGBTQ rep!)
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
FAVORITE BOOK EVER OMG
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
fast-paced
Is it just me or are Caesar and Brutus and Cassius all a bit gay for each other.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don't know why this book was marketed as a fantasy romance. It would more accurately be described as a science fiction horror/mystery/thriller. Or, what it truly is: a story about depression, friendship, manipulation, politics, class, and giant epic space robots.
For real though, Synali's fight with depression and suicidal thoughts was such a powerful element of this story, and even if it got a bit repetitive sometimes, it was brilliant to see something like that in a book of this genre. The other elements of this story were incredible too. Super unique space worldbuilding and unique giant robots, full of mystery regarding their origins and functions. The politics were well-written, with great commentary on class issues. And RAH the way it was all designed as like a medieval world (latin, kings, christianity, nobles, jousting) but in some kind of futuristic eerie space station? DELICIOUS.
I cannot really form coherent words right now, clearly, but basically this book was really good and so much more than the classic vengeful-girl/enemies-to-lovers story that I thought it was going to be. The layers of depression, mystery, and outright horror made it a much darker and more complex story.
For real though, Synali's fight with depression and suicidal thoughts was such a powerful element of this story, and even if it got a bit repetitive sometimes, it was brilliant to see something like that in a book of this genre. The other elements of this story were incredible too. Super unique space worldbuilding and unique giant robots, full of mystery regarding their origins and functions. The politics were well-written, with great commentary on class issues. And RAH the way it was all designed as like a medieval world (latin, kings, christianity, nobles, jousting) but in some kind of futuristic eerie space station? DELICIOUS.
I cannot really form coherent words right now, clearly, but basically this book was really good and so much more than the classic vengeful-girl/enemies-to-lovers story that I thought it was going to be. The layers of depression, mystery, and outright horror made it a much darker and more complex story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Torture, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, War
SPOILERS!! One character watches her mother get murdered, which sends her into a suicidal spiral. Most of the book revolves around her desire to die. She also reflects on her time at a brothel, though not in detail. Another character has a history of being physically abused by his family, and similarly reflects on past suicidal thoughts. Another character is an assassin, tortures and murders people, and also deals with recovery from a drug addiction, though it is mostly off-page. Other potentially triggering aspects of this book: heavy emphasis on corrupt nobles and classism, brains get eaten, people get sick, there is a LOT of manipulation and betrayal, etc. etc..
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Normally I don’t rlly love romances like this, but it was sapphic and took place in Oregon so I enjoyed it.
