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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Really lovely, well written story. The heroine is neither a simpering idiot, nor is she some mouthy tomboy type, but somewhere in the middle (like most of us) The religion is beautifully and simply presented, without ever being overwhelming. I loved it.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I can't pinpoint the one exact big thing that's wrong with the book. It's more like there's a hundred little things.
I can't quite remember what possessed me to buy this book, given that YA fantasy is not my thing. Since I have it, I might as well read it. If I'm not mistaken, this is the author’s debut novel and the opening of a four-book series.
We follow an orphan girl called Kali, who grows up in a remote temple of sisterhood. One day, a rajah comes to claim girls to be his courtesans and one will have the questionable honour of becoming his 100th and final wife.
Guess what, of course our main girl gets picked, despite being plagued by a mysterious illness. The rajah orders his very handsome and very unprofessional captain to be Kali’s guard, and an insta-love romance ensues.
But wait, there's more! Kali has to fight for her right to party - eh, marry the rajah (who is at least twice her age, by the way - a fact that is not once mentioned in the story). All the courtesans who wish to take her place as a wife may challenge her to fight to the death.
And to complicate matters, mysterious rebels with magical abilities threaten the rajah’s reign.
So basically, that's the plot. And then to the complaints.
I can't quite remember what possessed me to buy this book, given that YA fantasy is not my thing. Since I have it, I might as well read it. If I'm not mistaken, this is the author’s debut novel and the opening of a four-book series.
We follow an orphan girl called Kali, who grows up in a remote temple of sisterhood. One day, a rajah comes to claim girls to be his courtesans and one will have the questionable honour of becoming his 100th and final wife.
Guess what, of course our main girl gets picked, despite being plagued by a mysterious illness. The rajah orders his very handsome and very unprofessional captain to be Kali’s guard, and an insta-love romance ensues.
But wait, there's more! Kali has to fight for her right to party - eh, marry the rajah (who is at least twice her age, by the way - a fact that is not once mentioned in the story). All the courtesans who wish to take her place as a wife may challenge her to fight to the death.
And to complicate matters, mysterious rebels with magical abilities threaten the rajah’s reign.
So basically, that's the plot. And then to the complaints.
- The main character was a bit of a confusing mess. At first, the reader is led to believe that she's a poor, sickly girl, not much good at anything. And when we get to the end, lo and behold, she turns out to be exceptionally talented and special.
- The characters lacked personality and acted “out of character”, not in a way I'd expect a rajah to behave. What makes the villains villainous, except that they exploit women and swim in riches while their people live in poverty? There weren't any interesting discussions about those themes.
- The age gap issue was never brought up, and it was not even mentioned.
- Some of the word choices were odd and didn't fit the tone of the story.
- Even though this is YA, I think the life of the courtesans could have been depicted with less glossing over.
- I didn't really buy the romance.
- Some action scenes were confusing and not very well written.
If you want a similar story written better, read Tad Williams’ Shadowmarch. It's not perfect either, but it has similar elements.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Kalinda has spent too much time making googly eyes at a man she barely knows while having absolutely zero chemistry with him. That and the fact I need to be reminded every five seconds that girls are treated like shit in this world that I got to peace out.
Let's be clear: I don't care if the world building lends itself to being sexist. That happens. I can deal. But, if you gotta bring it up constantly to try and prove how much it sucks to be your main character, then you're just doing a bad job at actual world building.
That being said, the world building also sucks.
I'm sure there's people who really enjoy this, but I am not one of them so I'll see myself out, thanks.
Let's be clear: I don't care if the world building lends itself to being sexist. That happens. I can deal. But, if you gotta bring it up constantly to try and prove how much it sucks to be your main character, then you're just doing a bad job at actual world building.
That being said, the world building also sucks.
I'm sure there's people who really enjoy this, but I am not one of them so I'll see myself out, thanks.
This is a YA fantasy book that took me by storm. I saw many of the reviews for this book were low, but decided to give the book a chance anyway. I loved this book. It had everything I love in a romance and had an even better idea of what sisterhood and friendship should be. I am NOT a fantasy reader. I have tried many books and failed to get through them. I enjoyed how there was not much world building, and the magic system did not seem to be a system at all. I enjoyed how relaxed it was, and maybe that is why I enjoyed it so much.
I loved the book from beginning to end. Some things were predictable, while others were not. I desperately want to read the other books, but part of me is afraid. I know the next books will expand on the magic in this world, and I am unsure if the next books will help my love grow stronger, or cause me to dislike the entire series.
I loved the book from beginning to end. Some things were predictable, while others were not. I desperately want to read the other books, but part of me is afraid. I know the next books will expand on the magic in this world, and I am unsure if the next books will help my love grow stronger, or cause me to dislike the entire series.
This was... not good. I still don't understand the point of half of it, and there was zero chemistry between the Kalinda and Deven.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
it is a good book, interesting plot and story line. But the 'instant love' thing was a little too much for my taste. Also, the protagonist kept on downplaying her abilities and looks and things, but then the tritagonist and antagonist and all the other people tell her she will won the tournament BASED LN EVERYTHING EXCEPT HER FIGHTING SKILLS. Just because she has the 5 virtues down (which is not true since there was said earlier in the book she was NOT an obedient girl) does not mean she will overcome fighting these lethal women... and her personality I cannot really place. is she brave? is she a coward? what? anyway, 4 stars for the storyline. minus one line for the annoying little parts.
adventurous
fast-paced
I’m finding that at my old age I dislike (or rather feel meh) at the whole “girl has lived a secluded life and has never seen a man only to fall in love with the first one she meets”. The magic system was interesting, and in terms of plot I guessed some parts and was somewhat surprised by others.