Reviews

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

renegades's review against another edition

4.0

Jasad Heir was a fun, compelling book with extremely strong worldbuilding, lore, solid characters, and some fun interpretations of popular royal fantasy tropes. There’s nothing terribly new here in terms of actual substance—you have some of your standard fantasy nods, an heir whose kingdom has been destroyed and who is now in hiding trying to forget her past, enemies to lovers, a tournament with champions, being the most magical and destructive being with magic that’s repressed—all the goods stuff. But the worldbuilding that pairs with it (which is Arab/Turkish/Persian-inspired) is so intricate and full and vivid, it’s spectacular. It’s really inspiring and so fun to get a story and mythos that is so unapologetically Muslim in that way. The magic system she builds here feels especially thoughtful and, if not innovative, at least a really cool Middle Eastern take on a magic-based world system.

The main characters (Sylvia and Arin) are really solid, very strong voices and compelling individually and especially together. Sylvia in particular is so wry and sharp and funny—what a girl! This is also a book that respects the heart of enemies to lovers—that the two enemies should be trying to kill each other at least a solid third of the time. The enemies to lovers is a well-explored, well-developed slow burn, so when the feelings are finally identified and admitted it feels earned. I loved it. I particularly loved Sylvia’s vision of Arin, which made him just the hottest fictional character I’ve read about in a minute. Like, I get it, Sylvia. I would also fall in love with the silver-haired, cold, reserved, brilliant commander who is my sworn enemy and has tried to break my arms multiple times too. Do what you need to, girl. 

Where this book falls short for me is actually a little too much worldbuilding. There were so many names and places and magical backstory and general world history intertwined with the political intrigue that (especially on audiobook) it became hard to follow or remember all of the details at times. I think the emotional impact of everything happening took a hit because there was always so much lore to get through and get back to any time something happened. I would have liked Sylvia to actually sit and feel her feelings from point to point.

I also am unsure about that ending. To me the very end felt a bit uneven—I don’t think the instigating factor for That ending was serious enough for her to do what she did, which made me kind of go well why did she do all of that? Especially after being so careful for so long? It didn’t really hit as reasonable for me, although the fallout will be spectacular I assume.

That being said, I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment! It’ll be nice to get back to this world and these characters and I can’t wait to meet Sylvia and Arin in their shared story again. 

temptingpages's review against another edition

4.0

The beginning of this book is confusing when you start. You are thrusted into a world without much background information, so it takes some time to gather your thoughts and understand the story. I did like where the plot is going for this series, and I am interested to see where it goes.

idratherbereading_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

1. ”Power is a choice, Sylvia. When you choose who you are willing to fight for, you choose who you are. … All your choices require sacrifice. The question is, what are you willing to lose?"

2. How could I tell her I did not have the words? Words... those were the least of my troubles. They were not my eyes, fastening to him as soon as he entered a room. My heart, beating in double at his nearness. But worst of all, I could not admit to Sefa that the Nizahl Heir made me feel most like myself-and myself was not someone I had the luxury of learning.

3. "All I wanted was to exist for myself alone, but I don't really exist, do I?" I whispered, and they were the truest words I had spoken.

4. Like the power of a true name suppressed for too long. Essiya went beyond queen, beyond Jasad. Essiya was a symbol, and she had taken a life of her own. Who we are is where we come from. Who we were.

I enjoyed this book so so so much and I anticipate the development of this story in the sequel

chalkysea's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.75

Loved this book from start to finish!! The author did an amazing job balancing character and plot development. The plot was intriguing and refreshing after the recent round of fantasy books I’ve read. I would 100% recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Animal death, and Blood

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Rape

nuha_hassan's review against another edition

4.0

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC.

Sara Hashem's 'The Jasad Heir' is a great book! It is an Egyptian-inspired story with great world-building and complex characters. The story dives into history, family secrets, and the complicated rules that govern the world. This is part one of The Scorched Throne duology, I believe, and I am honestly so excited for the next book! And this was a debut novel from Sara Hashem, wow!

kitaysnt's review against another edition

2.0

i couldn't shake the feeling that it lacks sufficient details in world-building and the magic system ... it'd be so much better if the author took the time to gradually piece together the description of the realm, as that would benefit readers' understanding of the world. it has a promising plot and interesting character dynamics, but personally i found it rather underwhelming and not to my liking.

kahlank's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-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

4.5

grimkeeper35's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bella_mc's review against another edition

4.0

loved it except for the part where the love interest like very physically hurts the fmc (like breaks bones). the world building is very neat—i’m excited to see more of that in the second book and see where the romance goes.

marimoose's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book still slaps and I love Arin and Sylvia so so SO MUCH.