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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read the whole thing and I so confused about what the point of this is. I felt like there was too much of literally everything and it caused the book anger. Some many people labeled this the best why fantasy if 2021. Why? How? Deca is the same as the beginning and the end. Still powerless being controlled by others. Ugh.
Wrong timing on this. It was difficult to read, lots of upsetting stuff, with not enough connection to the characters to sustain me. It would probably be something I enjoyed another time but right now I just don't look forward to reading it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture
“Pretend like everything is all right when it's not. Make horrible jokes to hide your pain.”
✦⤷
This is my first book by this author Namina Forna, after having it on my shelf for a while now seeing as it’s popular read I thought it’s given me encouragement to read it. Plus how pretty is this cover it’s stunning
✦⤷
This is my first book by this author Namina Forna, after having it on my shelf for a while now seeing as it’s popular read I thought it’s given me encouragement to read it. Plus how pretty is this cover it’s stunning
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was such a good debut novel from Namina Forna!! The plot was well laid out - I predicted a lot of the themes but was surprised by many of the details, which is a balance I really enjoy. The discussions of gender and race and in particular gender as related to monstrosity were fascinating, although they felt a tad heavy handed on occasion. But way better that than too light. I wasn't actually expecting this to be a YA novel, so I didn't love the romance or the initial introduction of the lead (dead mum, absentish dad, small village), but that's a flaw of the genre and the way fantasy is categorised rather than the writing. The individual characters were solid, although I'd love to see more of the rest of Deka's friends' internal lives in the next book, beyond their suffering (I was also thrown by how brutal the content of this book was, also not a critique but a shock!) The worldbuilding was excellent, growing more and more complex as the book continued, and was very satisfying when it came together at the end - I'm really looking forward to it developing in the sequel! I'd love to see a bit more development of the politics of the world beyond Hemaira - the Nibari were wonderful, but I'd love to know more about the mechanics and political functioning of the world and societies within it. I'm hoping that will be explored in the next book!
Overall, I liked it, but I think it started off stronger than it ended, and I felt it was a bit predicable.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you think you can guess where this fantasy book aimed at young adults with a teenaged girl protagonist learning about her special and unique powers which lead to her being ostracised from the place she used to call home is going to go.. you're probably not far off
That's not to say it wasn't an enjoyable book though - although I wasn't a fan of the romance, and some of the timeskips felt a little out of place
That's not to say it wasn't an enjoyable book though - although I wasn't a fan of the romance, and some of the timeskips felt a little out of place
I buckle to the ground, suddenly too exhausted to remain standing any longer. The others do the same, but they're laughing and giggling as well, savouring the discovery they've just made, the joy they've just felt. The joy I'm still trying to forget.