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devannm's review
2.0
DNF @ 33%
I've been putting off this book for ages because it's so long but I read a few chapters and loved Erik immediately so I thought it would be okay, unfortunately I just cannot power my way through this whole book based on that alone. There are so many unnecessary different POVs, it feels like every single character gets a POV chapter and I think all you REALLY need are the two main characters since they are there for pretty much every scene anyway. Anyway this book is just way too long [130k words whyyy] for me to keep on with considering that I only even really like one of the characters and am not really keeping up with all the world building and parallel universe stuff. If this was a straight up urban fantasy with Erik as the only narrator I think this would be entirely up my alley but as it is there is just way too much going on.
I've been putting off this book for ages because it's so long but I read a few chapters and loved Erik immediately so I thought it would be okay, unfortunately I just cannot power my way through this whole book based on that alone. There are so many unnecessary different POVs, it feels like every single character gets a POV chapter and I think all you REALLY need are the two main characters since they are there for pretty much every scene anyway. Anyway this book is just way too long [130k words whyyy] for me to keep on with considering that I only even really like one of the characters and am not really keeping up with all the world building and parallel universe stuff. If this was a straight up urban fantasy with Erik as the only narrator I think this would be entirely up my alley but as it is there is just way too much going on.
infinitefreetime's review
2.0
DNF after 100 pages or so. Promising story but comma splices and other errors on literally every page. Very poorly edited; the mistakes in this book should have been fixable.
cellardoor10's review
5.0
Sci-fi/Fantasy that actually feels fresh and original!! That's super rare, given how much of that genre I read!! I was completely and utterly gripped within the first 15 pages and knew that I would be finishing the whole book. Loved, loved, loved a sci-fi/fantasy story that didn't decide that in a world of magic and aliens, etc., there were still only white cishet people. It's amazing how often the races of people refuse to acknowledge the creativity and originality around them. Not this one. I think every character is a person of color (I could be misremembering), with an emphasis on Black characters, and there's plenty of different sexualities to go around. Love the semi-dystopian feeling to the book, and love the pretty realistic writing of teenagers in over their heads, but with powers to help them through it.
Well-written, well-crafted, fun to read, though like most sci-fi/fantasy, it gets pretty dark at times. There are some gruesome actions and descriptions, though nothing that felt like more than the moment deserved. Overall, really, really enjoyed this, and looking forward to the sequel.
Well-written, well-crafted, fun to read, though like most sci-fi/fantasy, it gets pretty dark at times. There are some gruesome actions and descriptions, though nothing that felt like more than the moment deserved. Overall, really, really enjoyed this, and looking forward to the sequel.
rosegoldlotus'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Got through this book on the second go-round. First time was DNF but decided to give it another chance. So...the book was good overall. Slow start but interesting things get going. I found the multiple perspectives from characters generally helpful but also a hindrance. I think Erik was a character I wanted to like but struggled with that. Lil was definitely enjoyable. Looking forward to the next book!
dharmaavocado's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
A frustratingly uneven book. Erik's sections are full of exposition and telling where big things happen with no buildup and no consequences. Erik himself is underdeveloped with a collection of traits that never coheres into a consistent characterization, and despite Tilahun's insistence Erik is a leader I saw very little evidence for that.
Lil's sections are much more interesting and so obviously better written than I'm tempted to put on a tinfoil hat and claim they were written by a different author. Zebub is wonderfully surreal and weird enough that I was able to look past the uneven worldbuilding. Lil is more developed than Erik, and her plot has real, escalating stakes. If this book just focused on her I would be giving it at least one more star.
The book as a whole suffers from uneven pacing and having way, way too many point of views, the majority of which offer no new insight or information and seem to exist to just add to the page count. Tilahun needed a much stronger editor to tighten up the plot and cut extraneous content.
Also Tilahun's descriptions can be outright bananas. "He smiled like the devil getting a handjob." WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN
Lil's sections are much more interesting and so obviously better written than I'm tempted to put on a tinfoil hat and claim they were written by a different author. Zebub is wonderfully surreal and weird enough that I was able to look past the uneven worldbuilding. Lil is more developed than Erik, and her plot has real, escalating stakes. If this book just focused on her I would be giving it at least one more star.
The book as a whole suffers from uneven pacing and having way, way too many point of views, the majority of which offer no new insight or information and seem to exist to just add to the page count. Tilahun needed a much stronger editor to tighten up the plot and cut extraneous content.
Also Tilahun's descriptions can be outright bananas. "He smiled like the devil getting a handjob." WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN
lanid's review
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
itsneilcochrane's review
Made it to page 80 and could go no farther. Unfortunately didn't gel with the writing style and no character stood out enough to draw me in. Some excellent hints of world-building.
readalert's review
5.0
I loved this book so much! The world is so unique and exciting, it draws you in so much. So many wonderful characters, with a great amount of diversity! Definitely one of my favorite books I've ever read!
indalauryn's review
5.0
As usual, I'll put a more detailed review on my blog but for now I'll say this: I can't wait until we get the film trilogy, mini-series, or TV show we deserve out of this.