Scan barcode
bookstarbri's review
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
5.0
I fear I will never know peace. Kamilah Cole, you evil genius!
This won't be a long review because I feel like the less you know about this book, the better. All that's necessary to know before going in is that it's about two sisters and the lengths they will go to protect each other and their home. This aforementioned home has recently been liberated from the imperialist Languish empire that occupied San Irie for a time before San Iris fought and won their freedom. This book is incredibly timely, I think. It's easy to be distracted by the dragons and the magic and the gods, but this book's themes are rooted in issues that we are actively facing in our real world. These themes are evident in the narrative, but so carefully woven into the story, and I just think it was beautiful how Cole told this story and made it into what it was.
The characters were amazing. The sisters, Faron and Elara, were soooo good and I loved having them as our narrators. I really liked their respective love interests as well. Plus, there's one character in particular who I'm not sure if I was supposed to fall in love with, but I did! This book is also queer (featuring asexual and sapphic rep), and I loved that these identities were discussed a little as well.
Overall, I really adored reading this. I could honestly write so much more, but like I said, it's best to go in this with little info and just be surprised by the twists and turns this story takes. I LOVED this book and already cannot wait for book 2, which I know will be phenomenal. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Little Brown for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This won't be a long review because I feel like the less you know about this book, the better. All that's necessary to know before going in is that it's about two sisters and the lengths they will go to protect each other and their home. This aforementioned home has recently been liberated from the imperialist Languish empire that occupied San Irie for a time before San Iris fought and won their freedom. This book is incredibly timely, I think. It's easy to be distracted by the dragons and the magic and the gods, but this book's themes are rooted in issues that we are actively facing in our real world. These themes are evident in the narrative, but so carefully woven into the story, and I just think it was beautiful how Cole told this story and made it into what it was.
The characters were amazing. The sisters, Faron and Elara, were soooo good and I loved having them as our narrators. I really liked their respective love interests as well. Plus, there's one character in particular who I'm not sure if I was supposed to fall in love with, but I did! This book is also queer (featuring asexual and sapphic rep), and I loved that these identities were discussed a little as well.
Overall, I really adored reading this. I could honestly write so much more, but like I said, it's best to go in this with little info and just be surprised by the twists and turns this story takes. I LOVED this book and already cannot wait for book 2, which I know will be phenomenal. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Little Brown for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism and Physical abuse
Minor: Slavery
More...