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nozycozy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Beautiful writing but it was very slow and I don’t like that Zafira is 17 and her love interest is 20 (Nasir). I wish she was older or he was younger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny
nightfell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
Reading this book made me feel like I was going to have a heart attack in the best possible way. It is so full of life, and culture and the writing was lovely.
I enjoyed the progression of Zafira and Nasir's relationship throughout, I thought it was well done and I ship. The scenes with them fighting and her tripping him up in front of everyone, and her tending to his burn were the best scenes of the book, I loved them sm.
This book has such slow pacing, but in an entertaining way, so I didn't really mind because of the short chapters. The amount of times Zafira fainted and ran away in this book became comical. Overall, I would highly recommend, I had so much fun reading.
I was quickly attached to all the main characters and they were all written well. However, I think there is a case to be made as to Nasir's characterisation and how in some ways was very much morally ambiguous - daddy issues - mummy issues - tragic backstory - grumpy Male love interest, but at this point I've accepted it as a part of the YA genre when it comes to romance. I loved Altair's lively banter throughout, and I didn't realise how attached I'd been to him until he was separated from the group at the end. The last few pages of the epilogue was genuinely the saddest part of the book. When he described them leaving him, and the fact that they didn't look for him broke my heart. I love him. As I read the book, I made the discovery that both Zafira and Nasir were bisexual which I thought I had concrete evidence for. Zafira's reluctance and bitterness at Yasmine's marriage was too much to justify with 'their best friends', because the way she brought it up every few pages, even about halfway through the book when Zafira was on Sharr miles away, she still was so bitter about it and every time she thought of Yasmine she would talk of her 'ethereal, perfect beauty'. The evidence is there.
Also there was a moment when Zafira met with the Silver Witch toward the beginning of the book, and before she left she randomly decided to strangle Zafira, and ??? Like ok, choke her out for no reason? This can also be considered evidence for her bisexuality, In my opinion.
Nasir on the other hand, was a sick joke. From the beginning, Hafsah Faizal created such obvious romantic tension between Nasir and Altair istg, the banter was so flirtatious, and at one point Altair even challenged Nasir to kiss him or something similar?? I even tabbed all their gay moments because I was so into it. Only for it to be revealed that they're BROTHERS. Never would I have ever expected that, and now I have to deal with the fact that I was an incest shipper/supporter. Pack it up Cassandra Clare. I'm going to need to embark on a whole healing journey before I can read the second book because wtf. And the worst part is Faizal knew what she was doing. She wanted us to ship them ISTG. And Altair knew the entire time and still flirted with his brotherrrr. And also that reveal that his dad is the Lion of Night??? I can't begin to process that.
I enjoyed the progression of Zafira and Nasir's relationship throughout, I thought it was well done and I ship. The scenes with them fighting and her tripping him up in front of everyone, and her tending to his burn were the best scenes of the book, I loved them sm.
This book has such slow pacing, but in an entertaining way, so I didn't really mind because of the short chapters. The amount of times Zafira fainted and ran away in this book became comical. Overall, I would highly recommend, I had so much fun reading.
I was quickly attached to all the main characters and they were all written well. However, I think there is a case to be made as to Nasir's characterisation and how in some ways was very much morally ambiguous - daddy issues - mummy issues - tragic backstory - grumpy Male love interest, but at this point I've accepted it as a part of the YA genre when it comes to romance. I loved Altair's lively banter throughout,
Also there was a moment when Zafira met with the Silver Witch toward the beginning of the book, and before she left she randomly decided to strangle Zafira, and ??? Like ok, choke her out for no reason? This can also be considered evidence for her bisexuality, In my opinion.
Nasir on the other hand, was a sick joke. From the beginning, Hafsah Faizal created such obvious romantic tension between Nasir and Altair istg, the banter was so flirtatious, and at one point Altair even challenged Nasir to kiss him or something similar?? I even tabbed all their gay moments because I was so into it. Only for it to be revealed that they're BROTHERS. Never would I have ever expected that, and now I have to deal with the fact that I was an incest shipper/supporter. Pack it up Cassandra Clare. I'm going to need to embark on a whole healing journey before I can read the second book because wtf. And the worst part is Faizal knew what she was doing. She wanted us to ship them ISTG. And Altair knew the entire time and still flirted with his brotherrrr. And also that reveal that his dad is the Lion of Night??? I can't begin to process that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Misogyny, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Chronic illness
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