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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Xenophobia, War
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Sadly this book was just okay and it took me a bit longer than usual to get through compared to other books of its length because it was kinda boring.
This picks up right where Spice Road left off and we now have Taha's POV. I didn't mind adding his perspective, but the way it was done did leave something to be desired. Most of the chapters were bouncing back and forth between Imani and Taha, which was sometimes annoying when action was interrupted in one person's POV to switch over to the other person. It felt less like "oh dang a cliff hanger" and more like killing the pacing of the story. The pacing overall was just bonkers. Taha's perspective was generally pretty slow and boring while Imani's was usually a bit more exciting.
Imani was much more likeable in this book and I'm glad we got some more insight into Taha's character, but I do think it was entirely too much Taha. There was a lot going on in this book while simultaneously not much was happening. When the concept of "trials" was introduced at like 50% and then only implemented around 80% I just felt like the author was trying to do too much. The trials themselves were a joke and there was absolutely no tension. Based on everything we know between Imani's and Taha's perspectives the trials really felt unnecessary. Between Taha's perspective on the Harrowlander's sweeping reign of terror, Imani and Qayn's quest for his magic, and these wannabe Hunger Game trials the plot just felt jumbled.
Qayn is still my favorite. We get more of his backstory and he's the most interesting character. Unfortunately it looks like a love triangle is being established between Imai, Qayn, and Taha because even though Taha hurt her, she still finds her mind wandering to him; and even though Qayn is a monster, he's just so damn hot. I don't mind a relationship between Imani and Qayn - I prefer it, but it did seem a bit rushed. Her crush on his was believable but he seemed to suddenly reciprocate those feelings. I was surprised at how much pining Taha does over Imani too. My gut tells me she'll end up with Taha in the end since Qayn is a 'monster', albeit a hot one. But that will be disappointing.
The ending (post final showdown) was pretty good though.
This picks up right where Spice Road left off and we now have Taha's POV. I didn't mind adding his perspective, but the way it was done did leave something to be desired. Most of the chapters were bouncing back and forth between Imani and Taha, which was sometimes annoying when action was interrupted in one person's POV to switch over to the other person. It felt less like "oh dang a cliff hanger" and more like killing the pacing of the story. The pacing overall was just bonkers. Taha's perspective was generally pretty slow and boring while Imani's was usually a bit more exciting.
Imani was much more likeable in this book and I'm glad we got some more insight into Taha's character, but I do think it was entirely too much Taha. There was a lot going on in this book while simultaneously not much was happening. When the concept of "trials" was introduced at like 50% and then only implemented around 80% I just felt like the author was trying to do too much. The trials themselves were a joke and there was absolutely no tension. Based on everything we know between Imani's and Taha's perspectives the trials really felt unnecessary. Between Taha's perspective on the Harrowlander's sweeping reign of terror, Imani and Qayn's quest for his magic, and these wannabe Hunger Game trials the plot just felt jumbled.
Qayn is still my favorite. We get more of his backstory and he's the most interesting character. Unfortunately it looks like a love triangle is being established between Imai, Qayn, and Taha because even though Taha hurt her, she still finds her mind wandering to him; and even though Qayn is a monster, he's just so damn hot. I don't mind a relationship between Imani and Qayn - I prefer it, but it did seem a bit rushed. Her crush on his was believable but he seemed to suddenly reciprocate those feelings. I was surprised at how much pining Taha does over Imani too. My gut tells me she'll end up with Taha in the end since Qayn is a 'monster', albeit a hot one. But that will be disappointing.
The ending (post final showdown) was pretty good though.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
God. what a ride.
this book immediately continuing the end of Spice Road, disambut debat sengit Imani & Taha . At least Qayn is alive and well and tell me why i grin everytime he talks lol idc if he's a thousands years olds djinn.
so the Harrowlanders was marching to Sahir and Imani was willing to do anything to defend her village. they planned to retrieve Qayn's crown to restore his power. But before they had gotten a chance to do much, they were ambushed that ended up in a slaughter, everyone was weak and wounded, and Taha being captured. and when Imani and Qayn tried to track he crown, apparently it was already stolen.
long story short Imani and Taha entered deadly hunger-games-like competition for a chance to get close to the crown.
there are a lot of fight scenes and they felt overwheming. the pace was mostly fast but the final fight felt a bit dragging because they talk A LOT and i was getting impatient.
nevertheless i'm seated for the final book even thought it will probably come in 2026 in the earliest
P.S. why didin't they hire a male narrator for Taha's POV? hearing female voice in his POV caught me off guard every time
P.P.S. I don't even like the female narrator
this book immediately continuing the end of Spice Road, disambut debat sengit Imani & Taha . At least Qayn is alive and well and tell me why i grin everytime he talks lol idc if he's a thousands years olds djinn.
so the Harrowlanders was marching to Sahir and Imani was willing to do anything to defend her village. they planned to retrieve Qayn's crown to restore his power. But before they had gotten a chance to do much, they were ambushed that ended up in a slaughter, everyone was weak and wounded, and Taha being captured. and when Imani and Qayn tried to track he crown, apparently it was already stolen.
long story short Imani and Taha entered deadly hunger-games-like competition for a chance to get close to the crown.
there are a lot of fight scenes and they felt overwheming. the pace was mostly fast but the final fight felt a bit dragging because they talk A LOT and i was getting impatient.
nevertheless i'm seated for the final book even thought it will probably come in 2026 in the earliest
P.S. why didin't they hire a male narrator for Taha's POV? hearing female voice in his POV caught me off guard every time
P.P.S. I don't even like the female narrator
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
I was extremely excited to continue Imani's story, and this book did not disappoint! I wish Taha's POV had been first person like Imani's though. For some reason, I found the 3rd person present tense a little jarring. The pacing also felt a little off to me, but not too bad. I really liked exploring more of the world and spending more time with side characters. I also enjoyed learning more about the history of Imani's people.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced