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adamm's review against another edition
1.0
It seems like the author is a TERF, and it shows in this one :/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
bluleys'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
1.5
There is a running motif regarding fire that runs throughout this book and by the end I was honestly ready to set fire to it myself. Loved The Binding while this was like a depressing and trite remix.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Antisemitism, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
wemily0's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a book that made me think a lot about the inaccessibility of the past and the ways in which we grow as we age. I enjoyed this book overall, it was a little reflective, had a big twist (!), and ended well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Religious bigotry
sabrinaboyk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Murder
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I went into this book with my mind full of Bridget Collins’ first book for adults, “The Binding;” that book had a similar, indescribable magic-like act that was well-known but misunderstood or feared. However, this book wasn’t quite what I expected and in some ways, that was disappointing … but it also says a lot about starting a story with expectations, and not meeting it where it is.
I won’t go as far to say that the relationships between these characters is queer-baiting, but there are definite shades of it. When Leo started to have feelings for Carfax, I thought that his queerness may play into his desire to succeed and be the best, but he’s unable to do so because he wears a mask of what he thinks is right versus being authentic. I really liked that reading, and felt that Leo’s growing feelings for Claire was the true betrayal; not only did it feel disingenuous to his relationship to Carfax and Leo’s queer identity, but it felt wildly unfair to Claire to be a stand-in for her brother.
The tone of the book overall was wholly melancholy; successes, love, relationships, and triumphs were all tinged with this overarching sadness. The government cracking down and distorting all the good and beautiful in the world and the game of grand jeu felt inevitable; the lies and self-loathing of the main characters felt insurmountable; and no matter how they wanted something else, the rift between Leo and Carfax and Claire was so intense.
I didn’t guess the twist before it happened. There were hints to it, enough that I thought perhaps Carfax disguised himself as a woman to come back to Montverre, but the opposite never occurred to me because, again, I was so bought in to the queer subplot. It was an interesting feeling as a reader to feel betrayed by the story and in that way, I felt how masterful Collins is with her storytelling.
There was enough here that I can’t deny the book was GOOD, but I rated it three stars because I didn’t feel good or satisfied after finishing it. Not all books need to make me feel those things to be enjoyable reads, and I appreciate the novel for everything it did. I might enjoy it more on a re-read in the future.
I won’t go as far to say that the relationships between these characters is queer-baiting, but there are definite shades of it.
The tone of the book overall was wholly melancholy; successes, love, relationships, and triumphs were all tinged with this overarching sadness. The government cracking down and distorting all the good and beautiful in the world and the game of grand jeu felt inevitable; the lies and self-loathing of the main characters felt insurmountable; and no matter how they wanted something else, the rift between Leo and Carfax and Claire was so intense.
I didn’t guess the twist before it happened.
There was enough here that I can’t deny the book was GOOD, but I rated it three stars because I didn’t feel good or satisfied after finishing it. Not all books need to make me feel those things to be enjoyable reads, and I appreciate the novel for everything it did. I might enjoy it more on a re-read in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
mourningstarr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Suicide
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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
What I liked about the book: the richness of the language and the complicated system of roles and reversals that kept me reading. What I disliked: literally everything else. The attempt at Holocaust imagery is absurd, the love story completely overshadows the setting and the threats, and the characters are completely forgettable and ordinary. The author is also a TERF and you can see it in the way that the final reveal is played out. Honestly want my money back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Police brutality, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
While the book itself does not handle transphobia and related topics, a particular reveal late in the book comes across as transphobic on the part of the author.tericarol21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Suicide
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
thequiltyreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Good idea with potential. Lits of words and description but not much explaining. I felt it fell flat and the ending was underwhelming.
Perhaps not helped as I had high hopes given how much I loved the binding!
Perhaps not helped as I had high hopes given how much I loved the binding!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Death and Suicide
kellyloubishop's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicide