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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I was intrigued by the backstory of the tech/magic in this world but it felt like it was trying to introduce too many factors too quickly without grounding you in the story. The characters didn’t develop in a way that gave them much depth and I think this is again because too many were introduced in too short a time.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ayinde created such a fascinating world! I love that the reader gets to see it from so many different angles, but there might have been too many perspectives. Often I found myself powering through some chapters to get to the more interesting and engaging characters. And, at times, it felt like the story was getting muddled by the different perspectives.
With the ending and the epilogues, I genuinely have no idea where the next book is going to go and I imagine I will need to reread this book right before diving into the next.
With the ending and the epilogues, I genuinely have no idea where the next book is going to go and I imagine I will need to reread this book right before diving into the next.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Just not a story for me. Too many ideas for one book.
This was a good read. It's an interesting blend of cultures with deep world building and a developed magic system. The cast of PoV characters are all nuanced people with their own complex motivations. The characters and the world itself goes through quite a lot of change throughout the story. And, very important to me, there was just enough levity in the narration that I was able to actually enjoy the story.
Interesting enough world that I want to keep reading the series, but suffers from overambition.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Five stars!
Now this is what I call epic fantasy!
I am absolutely amazed by the seamless blending of fantasy and sci-fi elements, the character work, the world-building, just all of it. From someone who reads quite a lot, this felt so fresh. I was really intrigued by the technological elements that I could understand but the characters were puzzling out. For quite a long book, the pacing was great. I was always engaged and wanting to know what would happen next. The themes include stolen histories, underdogs fighting against oppression, political systems which aim to keep their people under control instead of serving their interests, religion used as a means of control, and more.
This is for sure one of my favorites of the year, and a new favorite, period. Only one word of caution; I wouldn’t pick this up until you are wanting some in-depth reading that requires your full attention. This isn’t what I would consider an easy read; it’s unique, it’s complex, there are a lot of characters, and a ton of interwoven plot lines. If you’re willing to give it your focus though, the payoff is so, so worth it. Highly recommend, and I cannot WAIT for the next!
Now this is what I call epic fantasy!
I am absolutely amazed by the seamless blending of fantasy and sci-fi elements, the character work, the world-building, just all of it. From someone who reads quite a lot, this felt so fresh. I was really intrigued by the technological elements that I could understand but the characters were puzzling out. For quite a long book, the pacing was great. I was always engaged and wanting to know what would happen next. The themes include stolen histories, underdogs fighting against oppression, political systems which aim to keep their people under control instead of serving their interests, religion used as a means of control, and more.
This is for sure one of my favorites of the year, and a new favorite, period. Only one word of caution; I wouldn’t pick this up until you are wanting some in-depth reading that requires your full attention. This isn’t what I would consider an easy read; it’s unique, it’s complex, there are a lot of characters, and a ton of interwoven plot lines. If you’re willing to give it your focus though, the payoff is so, so worth it. Highly recommend, and I cannot WAIT for the next!
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
Yes
Absolutely one of the best Sci Fi/Fantasy debuts of 2025. Complex but super rewarding, diverse in a way that should be attainable for fantasy worlds but often is not. Genuinely probably my favorite queernorm setting. Just all around amazing and I cannot wait for the sequel (which as of this review is only just entering structural edits lmao).
I haven't been given enough depth within the main characters to truly care about them. Sci-fi/magic things happen but there's not enough explanation/exposition for me to truly track with what's going on. It feels too dialogue-heavy.
I honestly cannot give this book a star review because I still do not know how I feel about it.
There is part of me that wants to give it a one because it was so frustrating at parts. I teach college students writing and one of the biggest issues I have is students skimming the surface of an idea and trying to cover too much insufficiently. No digging in deep enough to give any real understanding or depth to the conversation. Doing too much poorly is always worse than doing too little very very well.
This book felt like that. So much is going on, so much is happening and it's all very surface level.
Now, the other part of me wants to give this book a 4 to 4.5 star because the concept, world, ideas, and themes are AMAZING. I'll for sure read the next book because I need to know what is happening in the world, why technology is treated like magic, and who everyone is and how it'll end. So amazing...
The last bit is this. The one thing that DID bother me is this. There are two characters that have character arcs of where they start growing and developing as characters. Then all of that progress is ripped away and the end up exactly where they started. Now, this might just be setting them up for cool future arcs. But it is annoying at the moment.
Which is all to say, if you enjoy grim dark sci Fi that parades as fantasy, this is probably a good book for you.
There is part of me that wants to give it a one because it was so frustrating at parts. I teach college students writing and one of the biggest issues I have is students skimming the surface of an idea and trying to cover too much insufficiently. No digging in deep enough to give any real understanding or depth to the conversation. Doing too much poorly is always worse than doing too little very very well.
This book felt like that. So much is going on, so much is happening and it's all very surface level.
Now, the other part of me wants to give this book a 4 to 4.5 star because the concept, world, ideas, and themes are AMAZING. I'll for sure read the next book because I need to know what is happening in the world, why technology is treated like magic, and who everyone is and how it'll end. So amazing...
The last bit is this. The one thing that DID bother me is this. There are two characters that have character arcs of where they start growing and developing as characters. Then all of that progress is ripped away and the end up exactly where they started. Now, this might just be setting them up for cool future arcs. But it is annoying at the moment.
Which is all to say, if you enjoy grim dark sci Fi that parades as fantasy, this is probably a good book for you.
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:
Complicated
Ever since I finished this book, I think about this book constantly. I love it more and more, which is crazy because I was confused most of the time but in a good way. This was fresh and different as far as epic fantasy goes. There was no romance, which was refreshing. I enjoyed the side quests and the world building and magic were unique. There were some pacing issues in some places and there were some character’s POVs I preferred over others but I am excited to see what happens in the next book.