When reading the opening chapters, this book sounded marvelous. It was really captivating, and I just needed to know more. However, reading more into the book, I couldn't help but see the harmful and racist tropes, like the black man being falsely accused of crime and the other characters not showing a lot of remorse. This could be a reflection on what is going on society currently--I am not sure. I do not know what is happening in the author's head. But it fell flat for me. Maybe if something more had happen--justice? an explanation rather than just being at a surface level?--I would've felt a lot better. But perhaps the author was trying to showcase the lack of justice by not going into it more. I'm just rambling at this point. Others have said this more eloquently in their reviews.
I loved that it included trans rep although the pronouns switching did become confusing--this could just be me not paying full attention as a reader, so I can take responsibility for that. The book did have good things: gorgeous writing, cool magic system, and christ that cover was amazing. Absolutely amazing.
The multi POV felt disjointed. I read a lot of multi POV, but I admit when I was younger, that was never my first choice (this is beginning to change now), but I feel like the multi POV missed the mark a little bit.
I truly believe that Rose Szabo tried to create a powerful novel with important issues in our society, but to me it fell flat. I really, really wanted to like this. But I think Rose has a lot of potential, and the author could perhaps one day help break these barriers and help forward these various movements that the book failed with.
I loved that it included trans rep although the pronouns switching did become confusing--this could just be me not paying full attention as a reader, so I can take responsibility for that. The book did have good things: gorgeous writing, cool magic system, and christ that cover was amazing. Absolutely amazing.
The multi POV felt disjointed. I read a lot of multi POV, but I admit when I was younger, that was never my first choice (this is beginning to change now), but I feel like the multi POV missed the mark a little bit.
I truly believe that Rose Szabo tried to create a powerful novel with important issues in our society, but to me it fell flat. I really, really wanted to like this. But I think Rose has a lot of potential, and the author could perhaps one day help break these barriers and help forward these various movements that the book failed with.