I didn’t quite vibe with this book, and I can’t really put my finger on why. The whole time as I was reading it felt a bit like there was a barrier between me as the reader and the events being depicted on the page and I just couldn't fully get into it. Things would happen and I would be confused as to what was going on, a bit like I was trying to listen to a muffled television that’s playing in the next room, or I like I was out of sync somehow. Maybe it was the writing style? I truly don't know, and it’s a shame because there’s a lot about this book that I really liked, and I wish that I could’ve gotten into it more so I could’ve actually enjoyed those things properly.

I liked Lorena as a character. She’s fiercely loyal to the people she loves, but that love isn’t unconditional. There are some things that simply can’t be looked past no matter how much you like someone or how long you’ve known them, and this was a really interesting approach and not one that I’ve seen all that often. Lorena is clever, able to make intricate plans on the fly and even more intricate plans when given some prep time, and she’s not afraid to be ruthless if that’s what it takes to get the outcome she wants. I also really liked the depiction of her asexuality and how social norms have led to her purposefully altering her behaviour in order to discourage people from being interested in her. She doesn’t dislike being an undertaker, but her main motivation in becoming one was the hope that people wouldn’t want to have sex with someone who spends a lot of their time among corpses. This is the biggest example of her doing something like this, she does mention that there are other, smaller things she does too. As an ace person, I can confirm that we do sometimes deliberately try to make ourselves unappealing to others, just to avoid the hassle. It’s a detail that many non-aspec people would overlook, but that I appreciated seeing.

The magic system was also interesting! It took me a really long time to get a handle on how it works, and even now I’m not entirely clear on how it began in the backstory, so I think it probably could’ve been explained a bit better near the start of the book, but once I finally got the hang of it things were okay. Those who can use this magic, either to create things - the noblewrought - or to destroy things - the vilewrought - have to sacrifice something of a greater value in order to do so. It’s mentioned many times that this isn’t an equivalent exchange, the sacrifice has to be greater than what the wrought wants to achieve, and often has to be Much greater. The things that devour these sacrifices and create/destroy in exchange, wrights, are technically possessing these people, and the vast majority of people have to word their ‘contracts’ with their wrights very carefully so the wright can’t take liberties and screw them over for funsies. Lorena has a good relationship with her wrights, so she doesn’t have to do that because they have no desire to screw her over, and I would’ve enjoyed it if her relationship with her wrights could’ve been delved into a little more. There’s one scene about this that I really enjoyed and I wish there’d been more of it! I think benevolent possession might be one of my favourite tropes.

I think my favourite characters were the wrought trio that Lorena works with. Basil, Carlow, and Creek were a lot of fun and bounce off each other well, and there’s something about unhappily immortal characters abusing their inability to stay dead in order to do stupid/reckless things in the name of either helping others or for science that’s vastly entertaining to me.

This is ultimately a book about capitalism and class, and how the rich upper classes intentionally exploit those they deem as being beneath them. Billionaires will not save you, and you should not give them your loyalty. If you’re looking for a book that’s a rallying cry for eating the rich then this could be the book for you.

There’s a lot about this book that I really liked! When it all came together it didn’t quite click for me, which is a shame, but I would still recommend it to others because maybe it would work for you.

Great book, love this author and how they can keep my attention to the end! The plot is well developed, characters are believable and they obviously paid attention to detail to make the story worth your time to read.

Well, wasn’t this disappointing. This took me way too long to read. I really wanted to love this book. The cover is stunning and the premise was badass and original. Unfortunately, the execution wasn’t great.

First things first, my biggest issue that ruined everything for me: the writing style. I’ve seen people mention “beautiful writing style” and I want to say… did we even read the same book? The sentences are so dry. No emotional impact. Zero. The main character does something that should have a lot of consequences for her and other characters, but the scene goes something lime this: “I do something terrible. People look at what I did and go “oh ok” next thing on the agenda?” Like what? Oh and let’s talk about how in one chapter we jump from one thing to the next without any transition nor time to process what happens. Plus, the scenes are so repetitive, especially at the beginning that at 40% I wondered if anything was actually happening. Three different things happen in three pages and while this should move the plot forward, nothing truly happens? It’s like I’m reading the author outline for that chapter, and they published exactly that.

The characters are so flat. The dynamics even flatter. Are we’re supposed to believe in their friendship? Love? Whatever that is? I didn’t get it. Also, why do these characters do what they do? Why they kill the people they kill and why there’s no consequences for killing important people? Sigh.

The confusing world-building is the result the writing style. I don’t understand what any of the terms are supposed to mean.
Wrights, wroughts, contracts, Noble cursed, vilewrought, vilewright and so on and so forth… what and what? I can’t tell you the difference. I can’t tell you how the magic works because it’s not explained properly.

I struggled to understand character’s motivations, the plot, the world, everything. The themes are cool in theory, but they are so in your face that I wanted to scream.

This was truly disappointing and I’m so sorry to say it because, as I said, I wanted to like this.

If I read this sooner, I probably would've enjoyed it more. I was excited to accept this offer as I have enjoyed Miller's other books, but something was just not connecting with me on this one. I didn't see anything wrong, but it was a strong read for me.

What We Devour by Linsey Miller is a dark fantasy novel with strong world building, interesting plot, and compelling characters.

I’ve should have a lot to say on this one and I wanted to love it, but I just didn’t. The plot was (maybe) too complex, politics were hard to understand, magic system was poorly explained, and characters were quite flat.
It's sad because, overall it's an an amazing idea and concept!! What We Devour just didn’t execute the way I needed it to. Maybe another round of editing, some beta readers to give feedback on confusing plot, and some time spent really giving life and personality to the characters.
I know Linsey Miller can make great characters as I’ve read another book of hers I really enjoyed. This one just felt a bit too rushed to publication and less complete. So sad because the moral crisis here is fascinating. So many great political, social and moral comments to examine; if you can get through all the pitfalls.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
This is an honest and unbiased review.

This was definitely an interesting book… But I found that it didn’t really hold my attention. In fact, I don’t think I could tell you what happened in it even now… Which is unfortunate as the concept was very interesting for me!

I was drawn in instantly, but that quickly changed. This was fast paced and action packed, but I was so lost. I didn’t know what was going on at any point and I think I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to be reading this! I couldn’t keep up.

I was super excited to get my hands on this book (thanks so much NetGalley!!) but I found it a little confusing if I’m honest, everything happened quickly at the beginning but after that was left wanting like there was no follow up, it just didn’t quite hit it for me unfortunately 😅😅 I did, however, like the MC Lorena ❤️❤️ she’s quick witted and likeable. I also really like the magical elements and I TOTALLY LOVED all the queer representation ❤️❤️

On the whole I would say that it was an ok read but it just didn’t really draw me in 😅😅

While I love Linsey's writing style and the awesome queer rep, this one was just not for me. I got halfway through and still couldn't tell you concrete things. The plot was drowned by all the characters I barely knew, the relationships between all the characters was overshadowed by the plethora of world building that just kept snowballing and I honestly lost the thread of what was going on about a quarter of the way through. I love the concept, especially of the wrought, but the characters with curses just... Confused me?

I'm behind on my reading due to personal circumstances so when I went to go read this book on my kindle it wouldn't open for some reason. The title has now been archived but I am planning to purchase this one soon and read it as I'm intrigued by the synopsis.

Sorry!

As someone who enjoyed Miller’s other works, I genuinely thought I would love What We Devour.

There was a lot going on in the book; I felt like I was gliding across very thin ice and trying to get off the ice as quickly as I could before I fell, missing the scenery. I honestly remember nothing from the book outside of being vaguely interested. Main character who? (I mean, I do remember a character with a very vampire like name that I may have dubbed His Royal Redness.)

The same could be said about the world building as well - there is a lot of information being thrown from early on and continues to who knows how long. I found myself interested in the world Miller built, but I also didn’t feel there’s enough time to truly absorb all of the information before I’m given more information. That added on to everything else going on the book just didn’t execute well despite the amazing premise. I don’t know how I can be so interested but confused at the same time, but here we are.

I don’t know what happened, but there was no devouring this book. More accurately, it was like eating food that sounded and looked like it would be the best meal, but turned out to be bland and just for sustenance. And unfortunately, in this case, I didn’t even finish the meal.

1.5 stars

I didn't like this. it wasn't for me. I rarely ever read fantasy but when I do I obviously expect at least humor or characters that aren't as flat and bland as these ones were.

some books are too "mature" for me, because the tone of the book is serious all of the time so there are no paragraphs that would make me laugh. and I hate that with a passion.

also, I don't see a point in reading a book without romance. I'm the "hopeless romantic" type of reader and books with no romance or very little romance bore me to the core. actual romance for two pages doesn't count.

to be honest, I'm glad I listened to this and not read it. it was much easier to get through that way.

there were parts that I liked about this, and, to be honest, those parts were only Alistair, especially the ones with tension between him and the main character.

this wasn't the best, but it also wasn't trash, I promise. it just was everything I usually don't read but I picked it up because of the cover.

so, to each their own.

The truly unthinkable has happened. For the first time in almost four years, I am DNF'ing a book.

Either I missed all the worldbuilding that was thrown at me immediately, or it was very poorly explained, because I do not have a single flying f*cking clue as to what is going on. Not one.

I made it four hours in and I cannot bring myself to do another eight hours of just vibing. It's been made very clear to me that this author and I just do not jive.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t really get into this book. I had issues with the worldbuilding; I didn’t feel like things were explained very well, and I had trouble getting attached to any of the characters. This seems to be a theme with Linsey Miller’s books, so most likely Miller’s writing style just isn’t for me!

A dark and brooding fantasy with an amoral asexual heroine, a charismatic villainous prince, and diverse secondary characters in a broken world steeped in gloomy and on a collision course with its ominous history. Readers who enjoy rich complex characters, difficult moral quandaries and political intrigue will relish sinking their teeth into this book.

My copy of this book was unreadable. Not for sure if it was a download error or what but the book was full of symbols. Since this book is already out I'll pick it up later as it still sounds interesting.

I went in knowing very little about the premise of this book, and unfortunately, I came out of it feeling a bit the same as I started. I enjoyed the first half, which consisted mostly of learning about Lorena's world and the magic system in play. Then, the second half kind of lost my attention. The plot felt repetitive and I felt it lacked a clear purpose. It all felt a bit muddled by the end, and I didn't really understand the purpose of the romances, villains or the heroine's decisions. I think overall, this book just wasn't for me.

I never quite got the combination of internal layers of magical powers but our principal Lorne is revealed pretty soon to being super powered in this fantastical feudal fantasy world .. and is sought after by the strictly restricted and evil son of the Crown. Characteristics shift to fit violent and twisting plot line .. and I couldn't help thinking often things were contrived to surprise us and keep us turning pages. Adept enough but skimming surfaces ..

What a fun read! Smart, dark and ACE representation. A magic system that I could never dream of. It's complexities made following the magic challenging at times, but the story is so engaging that I couldn't put it down. Beautiful worldbuilding and fantastic characters. The atmosphere is dark and magical. Just when you think you know where the author is taking us, she adds another layer and takes the story in a new and delicious direction. Overall a great read!