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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
slow-paced
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-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:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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:
Yes
I loved this sooooo much! The world building and the culture in this book is so lush and rich and it complements the story so wonderfully. The characters are all so well developed with their own personal arcs and storylines and experiences and that makes them even more beautiful. The plotline of the book is pure genius and the ending is so satisfying. The romance is a beautiful slow burn and Zafira and Nasir are definitely one of my favourite ships of all time! When I finished this book last night, I was sobbing with happiness and sat hugging the book for a good ten minutes because of how happy I was with the ending.
A happy ending!
I pretty much enjoyed the whole book. The cultural representation here always made me in awe, and the characters were growing on me especially Altair and Kifah, even Lana. However, the reasons why I put four stars here because some part of the story are kind of dragging, slow paced, and most times Zafira frustrated me.
Well, in conclusion, if you enjoy a slow burn romance, finding a family, etc. then you definitely will love this book. Props to Hafsah Faizal for writing such an amazing duology!
I pretty much enjoyed the whole book. The cultural representation here always made me in awe, and the characters were growing on me especially Altair and Kifah, even Lana. However, the reasons why I put four stars here because some part of the story are kind of dragging, slow paced, and most times Zafira frustrated me.
Spoiler
And I honestly expected a more grand final battle against the Lion, but I think it didn't meet my expectation.Spoiler
And how I wish we have a better conclusion between Yasmine and Altair... Like I hoped Altair could apologize to her directly, you know. Or maybe Yasmine can vent her anger :"Well, in conclusion, if you enjoy a slow burn romance, finding a family, etc. then you definitely will love this book. Props to Hafsah Faizal for writing such an amazing duology!
I was lucky enough to win this book from a Goodreads giveaway and after finishing it, I cannot express how thankful I am that it was THIS book that I won!
Seldom do I enjoy a second book as much as I did the first. Well, this was one of those rare, rare times that I so, so did.
I devoured the first three quarters of this book (with her quick, small chapters Faizal makes it nigh impossible to set it down), then slowed down and savored the last quarter because I just didn't want it to end. Faizal is the QUEEN of the slow burn and creating tension.
This book is steeped in lush Arabic culturism. Arabic, what a gorgeous language. I fell in love with and find myself repeating some of the words - Yalla, Shukrun, Khara, Laa, Roohi (gah, this one hits me in the feels every time!) that this author seamlessly introduced me to.
In this book Faizal expertly captured so many things - betrayal, loss, adventure, romance, found family, balancing and loyalty to new/old friendships, sibling bonds and rivalry, oppression and freedom, the grey area between right/wrong, so many beautiful character flaws and arcs. I found myself completely invested in the sibling pairs Zafira/Lana, Nasir/Altair (omg ALTAIR), Yasmine/Deen. But the over reaching theme in my opinion is the redemptive power of love, and the understanding and acceptance found in that love. I've never shipped a couple as hard as I ship Zafira/Nasir.
My favorite excerpt:
"I wasn't born to fight."
"No, neither of us were. We were not born to fight, but our cradles were built from struggles and hardship. Pens, swords, sticks - weapons shoved into our fists as soon as we're old enough to grasp them. So we fight, because the world will cut our throats otherwise. We fight, because we won't go down without one. Do you understand?"
Zafira is one of the most kick-ass and favorite female protagonists that I've had the pleasure of adventuring with.
I could wax and wane forever about this book. Hafsah Faizal, I would love, love, love any spin off stories set in this magical world you have created. I'm not ready to say goodbye! Thank you, and I look forward to reading anything else you write! And to re-reading this magnificent duolgy
Seldom do I enjoy a second book as much as I did the first. Well, this was one of those rare, rare times that I so, so did.
I devoured the first three quarters of this book (with her quick, small chapters Faizal makes it nigh impossible to set it down), then slowed down and savored the last quarter because I just didn't want it to end. Faizal is the QUEEN of the slow burn and creating tension.
This book is steeped in lush Arabic culturism. Arabic, what a gorgeous language. I fell in love with and find myself repeating some of the words - Yalla, Shukrun, Khara, Laa, Roohi (gah, this one hits me in the feels every time!) that this author seamlessly introduced me to.
In this book Faizal expertly captured so many things - betrayal, loss, adventure, romance, found family, balancing and loyalty to new/old friendships, sibling bonds and rivalry, oppression and freedom, the grey area between right/wrong, so many beautiful character flaws and arcs. I found myself completely invested in the sibling pairs Zafira/Lana, Nasir/Altair (omg ALTAIR), Yasmine/Deen. But the over reaching theme in my opinion is the redemptive power of love, and the understanding and acceptance found in that love. I've never shipped a couple as hard as I ship Zafira/Nasir.
My favorite excerpt:
"I wasn't born to fight."
"No, neither of us were. We were not born to fight, but our cradles were built from struggles and hardship. Pens, swords, sticks - weapons shoved into our fists as soon as we're old enough to grasp them. So we fight, because the world will cut our throats otherwise. We fight, because we won't go down without one. Do you understand?"
Zafira is one of the most kick-ass and favorite female protagonists that I've had the pleasure of adventuring with.
I could wax and wane forever about this book. Hafsah Faizal, I would love, love, love any spin off stories set in this magical world you have created. I'm not ready to say goodbye! Thank you, and I look forward to reading anything else you write! And to re-reading this magnificent duolgy
I thought this duology was phenomenal, though it definitely could have been trilogy with room for a longer series - the world is so rich and I wish we could dive into other caliphates and cultures and regimes that were hinted at but didn’t have time to get to.
The YA-ness and tropes delighted me instead of infuriate like a lot of YA does. This second book had way better chemistry and longing on the romance plot line. Nasir went through almost too great a charismatic change from We Hunt the Light where he was near mute, it read not quite as purely character growth and a little more like inconsistent writing, but I digress. For a PG (but heady) romance where they kiss like what two times on page, I ate it UP.
The themes and character flaws and journeys were really well structured and executed. Great lore. Great story. Believability in details like wound recovery time and the complicated damage relationships take during wartime really added to everything.
I’m rambling but recommend
The YA-ness and tropes delighted me instead of infuriate like a lot of YA does. This second book had way better chemistry and longing on the romance plot line. Nasir went through almost too great a charismatic change from We Hunt the Light where he was near mute, it read not quite as purely character growth and a little more like inconsistent writing, but I digress. For a PG (but heady) romance where they kiss like what two times on page, I ate it UP.
The themes and character flaws and journeys were really well structured and executed. Great lore. Great story. Believability in details like wound recovery time and the complicated damage relationships take during wartime really added to everything.
I’m rambling but recommend
Wow that was a lot in both good and bad ways. My favorite thing about this duology has always been the characters and the romance.
Nasir and Zafria: you will always be loved.
Altair: I would gladly take a bullet for you and never leave you behind
I wish some of the other characters got point of view and we got to see their characterization (kifah was giving me such Mor vibes from ACOTAR and I just wished we got a pov chapter from her). The writing was also beautiful, some of the things Nasir would say (actually everything Nasir would say) had me in a chokehold.
The plot: ??????????? I honestly didn’t know what was going on half of the time like the terminology was thrown around a little too carelessly also it was really slow moving at times and very crazy other times. Also it felt like the plot wasn’t all that continuous and seamless I felt like I was reading like two books honestly
Nasir and Zafria: you will always be loved.
Altair: I would gladly take a bullet for you and never leave you behind
I wish some of the other characters got point of view and we got to see their characterization (kifah was giving me such Mor vibes from ACOTAR and I just wished we got a pov chapter from her). The writing was also beautiful, some of the things Nasir would say (actually everything Nasir would say) had me in a chokehold.
The plot: ??????????? I honestly didn’t know what was going on half of the time like the terminology was thrown around a little too carelessly also it was really slow moving at times and very crazy other times. Also it felt like the plot wasn’t all that continuous and seamless I felt like I was reading like two books honestly