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beginagain_'s review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
You know the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well, here I did that, but in reverse, as I was really fascinated by the cover. That is how my best friend gifted me this book for Christmas and I was so excited about that! But honestly, I really tried to like this book, truly tried to love the characters (or at least the main character) but I didn’t manage to do that. I often empathise with the characters, their emotions, what they are going through, but here it was basically impossible for me, unfortunately.
This book tells you everything and nothing at the same time, it promises you some world building but most of the times it falls flat and feels static in too many moments. Nothing really happens, or at least nothing exciting or shocking; took me forever to finish reading it as I was either bored by it or bothered by the actions of the characters and the blatant misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
meyonnaizzz's review against another edition
5.0
I've read many reviews where readers felt as though the plot was slow and uninteresting, but when I read it I simply couldn't put the book down. While Ophelia, unfortunately, experiences many forms of abuse and undergoes many trials that test the strength of her will, she is learning, slowly, how to survive and adapt in this new world that is fueled by politics and the never-ending hunger for power and a place at court. I thought it was a wonderful first book and I look forward to the second book, knowing that if Ophelia's character development carries through from the first to the second book, the second book will continue to be as exciting and wonderful a read as the first.
kayshay16's review against another edition
5.0
I am OBSESSED with this book. I need the second book noooow
thismightbefaith's review against another edition
5.0
one of my favourite books i’ve read
it’s so
rararararara
it’s written so beautifully and it’s gone mystery and fantasy and it’s like
so awesome
it’s like a ghibli movie but with MURDER
WHEN WE FIND OUT AT THE END THAT IT WAS THORN PLAYING OPHELIA THE WHOLE TIME ????? I WAS ROOTING FOR THEM SO MUCH
it’s so
rararararara
it’s written so beautifully and it’s gone mystery and fantasy and it’s like
so awesome
it’s like a ghibli movie but with MURDER
WHEN WE FIND OUT AT THE END THAT IT WAS THORN PLAYING OPHELIA THE WHOLE TIME ????? I WAS ROOTING FOR THEM SO MUCH
panda_lunatico_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
amysmithlinton's review against another edition
3.0
It's rare that a reader doesn't feel the clunk-clunk-chick of translation, but I was pleasantly surprised to know this steampunk/floating world/post-ecclesiastical disaster novel was first published in French.
At the local bookstore, this novel was recommended for its worldbuilding and character growth. Well, sure, I'll buy that. It's a hefty book, the first of a trilogy (quadrology? okay, series), and I was prepared for a deep dive. But it's dark down there.
Lots of casual misogyny, a possibly asexual heroine (it bodes ill for anyone hoping for a romance with the surly, tall "hero" who is her fiancé.), a hellishly complicated and unpleasant court atmosphere, and an as-yet-unexplained theology that seems to involve an immortal ancestor periodically impregnating his progeny.
Not a book I'll be suggesting for anyone else, but I'll probably give the next in the series a shot.
At the local bookstore, this novel was recommended for its worldbuilding and character growth. Well, sure, I'll buy that. It's a hefty book, the first of a trilogy (quadrology? okay, series), and I was prepared for a deep dive. But it's dark down there.
Lots of casual misogyny, a possibly asexual heroine (it bodes ill for anyone hoping for a romance with the surly, tall "hero" who is her fiancé.), a hellishly complicated and unpleasant court atmosphere, and an as-yet-unexplained theology that seems to involve an immortal ancestor periodically impregnating his progeny.
Not a book I'll be suggesting for anyone else, but I'll probably give the next in the series a shot.
suttonhowell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
this translation was certainly a bit strange in places, using very elaborate prose then immediately following with "we have bigger fish to fry" was a little jarring to me for example 🤪. in general the ideas were there but it was WAY too long for hardly anything of note actually happening. it definitely falls into the category of series that intentionally sacrifice their first book's plot so they can finish the worldbuilding and establish the characters all at once. so, basically, this was 500 pages of setup. not sure if i will pick up the next one, especially if it has the same translator.
kaylamdawson's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0