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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Half of this rating goes to my slump. my reading mood has been whack lately and this book sufferd for it.
however, it's still an enjoyable read, I'm just annoyed I didn't love it as much as I believe this book deserves.
This book hold complexity without confusing the reader, in an immersive and rich world that is both terrifying an fascinating. Ayinde manages to weave a large cast of characters without loosing me as a reader throughout this world and story she has crafted that seems effortless.
the magic woven among the plot, creating threads and tearing them apart until what I thought I knew was wrong-- this is a master storyteller at work and I cannot wait for book 2
SPOILERS
while my enjoyment of this book is tarnished with a slump, I was still hooked and taken by surprise. the Barineater having Jinao's mothers memories, of a long plan using him as a pawn, held my attention but I espeically loved when Jinao discovered, with help, that Mitzito wsan't his ansector, but he could call upon others. his journey of discovery and courage was one of my favourites.
Temi was a intresting character and I cannot wait to see where the next book takes her. from a lowborn to someone who manged to invoke Vanji, the chained man.
Beolo was cool and the ending with him, taking on someone that was meant to be Vanji (who was meant to Jinao) now THAT is something I cannot wait to read about.
and Runt. a child just into adulthood who is trying to care for her sick brother and gets swept up into the plot of his book by the pendant she wears, something that contains the Cloisters. and her father, behind it all.
but the ending, the ending where we can see the Barineater as human, as someone who is there fighting for his people but who also has a sick child.
a gripping tale with gripping characters.
however, it's still an enjoyable read, I'm just annoyed I didn't love it as much as I believe this book deserves.
This book hold complexity without confusing the reader, in an immersive and rich world that is both terrifying an fascinating. Ayinde manages to weave a large cast of characters without loosing me as a reader throughout this world and story she has crafted that seems effortless.
the magic woven among the plot, creating threads and tearing them apart until what I thought I knew was wrong-- this is a master storyteller at work and I cannot wait for book 2
SPOILERS
while my enjoyment of this book is tarnished with a slump, I was still hooked and taken by surprise. the Barineater having Jinao's mothers memories, of a long plan using him as a pawn, held my attention but I espeically loved when Jinao discovered, with help, that Mitzito wsan't his ansector, but he could call upon others. his journey of discovery and courage was one of my favourites.
Temi was a intresting character and I cannot wait to see where the next book takes her. from a lowborn to someone who manged to invoke Vanji, the chained man.
Beolo was cool and the ending with him, taking on someone that was meant to be Vanji (who was meant to Jinao) now THAT is something I cannot wait to read about.
and Runt. a child just into adulthood who is trying to care for her sick brother and gets swept up into the plot of his book by the pendant she wears, something that contains the Cloisters. and her father, behind it all.
but the ending, the ending where we can see the Barineater as human, as someone who is there fighting for his people but who also has a sick child.
a gripping tale with gripping characters.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was definitely an enjoyable read, if a little slow and repetitive in places. It felt like the author was really trying to emphasise the cultural vibes, but it was done in a stiff and repetitive manner. Every page someone made the "sign for ancestral protection" (always worded as such, never described what the sign looked like or other things the character did) and every damn person who crouched down had their grass skirt splay around them.
Despite some of the repetitive writing, once the plot got going, it really got going. Jinao became a quick favourite, and he has some interesting character development throughout. Elari was wonderfully interesting, as was Father Boleo. However, having so many character POVs removed from entire sections of the book made them forgettable. Temi utterly disappeared from memory until magically appearing at the end again, and some characters I have already forgotten.
However, the author certainly mastered the art of bringing arcs together and setting up for a suspenseful ending. While 80% of the book took 3 weeks to read, the last 100-150 pages I devoured in a single sitting. The pacing at the end was immaculate, the character interactions interesting, and the plot was decidedly thick. The epilogues were also brilliant and I'm actually very excited to read the sequel when it releases.
Despite some of the repetitive writing, once the plot got going, it really got going. Jinao became a quick favourite, and he has some interesting character development throughout. Elari was wonderfully interesting, as was Father Boleo. However, having so many character POVs removed from entire sections of the book made them forgettable. Temi utterly disappeared from memory until magically appearing at the end again, and some characters I have already forgotten.
However, the author certainly mastered the art of bringing arcs together and setting up for a suspenseful ending. While 80% of the book took 3 weeks to read, the last 100-150 pages I devoured in a single sitting. The pacing at the end was immaculate, the character interactions interesting, and the plot was decidedly thick. The epilogues were also brilliant and I'm actually very excited to read the sequel when it releases.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Confinement, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
no body talk to me, this is so hurtful to me and my soul that this didn't hit.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes