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gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cannot wait to see how this trilogy goes and when the next book comes out I will definitely be getting it.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Blood, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
jennanaps's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Gaslighting, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, War, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, and Blood
Minor: Pedophilia
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Aparna Verma weaves a beautiful tale inspired by Indian mythology and politics through the voices of three main characters:
A princess nearing her coronation, searching for the magic that is her birthright. A king desperate to keep his daughter safe and maintain power. An assassin now pledging loyalty to the crown.
Each voice is distinct and powerful. Plot points and proper pacing allowed me to connect with the character as their internal dialogue and resulting actions transformed. And I became so attached to one character that a certain chapter had me absolutely screaming/sobbing. If you’ve read this, you know.
One of the cons for me throughout this book was the world building. Specifically the politics and government conflicts. It seems like a very well thought out system, but it was difficult at times to remember what groups were on whose sides and what was happening politically. There was also the occasional info dump surrounding the politics that could make it a bit dry and confusing in those moments. I would love to see this improve a bit in the next book.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of the audiobook for review and I will gladly say that I loved this production! The narrators were fantastic and their styles fit the vibe and emotions of the characters perfectly. I especially loved the narrator voicing Elena
Overall, I give this a 4.5 stars!
*Huge thanks to Netgalley, Hachette Audio, Orbit and Aparna Verma for granting me access to the advanced copy of The Phoenix King audiobook for review*
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
gimmiiie's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Colonisation, Blood, Death of parent, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Murder, Death, War, Xenophobia, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, and Violence
voidcreativity's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
!!This is definitely not a romance!! It's plot heavy with a sprinkle of slow-burn romance.
I absolutely loved this book. I normally can't get into political fantasies, but Aparna wrote this so well, and so beautifully.
Yassen is a loveable a**hole. Samson was boring-until the end. 🤭🤭 I kind of love how Elena kept her queen superiority throughout the entire book. Some books that I've read, the females in high power get a "reality check" or have to "drop everything and become a normal citizen". But her character was super consistent, and the growth is minor, but gradually there.
ANYWAYS. Read this book. Just know it's plot heavy.
Graphic: Grief
bookforthought's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an e-arc of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley as part of the blog tour organised by Compulsive Readers. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia
shoni's review against another edition
- 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 also really appreciated that we had a POV of the father. Leo's perspective was so refreshing. We saw how he struggle doing what's right for his people but also for his daughter and it was so refreshing. Plus seeing the south asian father daughter struggle from a father's perspective isn't something you see often.
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence
inkdrinkers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
The Phoenix King has a highly interesting premise and gorgeous cover.
I had such high expectations for this novel, and unfortunately it met none of them. Going in, I knew it would be a blend of sci-fi and fantasy (or science fantasy), something done rarely, but when done well it's incredible (see: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao) - this was not done well. I felt so disconnected from the world from the first page, and as I kept reading I just kept feeling more and more confused and like every bit of science was shoehorned into the plot and just left half-wedged in there to "make it fit" since the book was trying to genre blend.
I found it very awkwardly written, from the character perspective changes, to the way the world felt almost like a parody of sci-fi in some moments (the strange new curses, the religious zealots with no purpose). The tone of the entire novel is set forth with a prologue that I absolutely didn't connect with, featuring a bizarre chase (he's a highly trained assassin, why does he suddenly suck at his job?) and throws the reader into a world that doesn't even attempt to ground itself before creating and introducing new ideas.
I know this was the author's debut, and I feel like you can TELL it was their debut, because the writing is so choppy and, on a technical level, seems to be unable to handle the massive task of building an entire world, religion, and plot in 400 pages. I, also, can't help but be a little annoyed that this was published prior in 2021, and this is the updated edition of the book, with apparently edits, more content, and extras. I'm a little shocked that this version of the book is the one that's gone through more editing because I still feel like it's lacking clarity in far too many areas.
I wish I had enjoyed this as much as I hoped I would, but it completely and utterly missed the mark for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me a copy of this book for an honest review.
Content warnings: Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Sexual content, Slavery, Xenophobia
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Racism
Minor: Slavery, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, and Police brutality
Minor: Xenophobia, Slavery, Mass/school shootings, Sexual content, and War
ddnreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Let's start with what I love:
- The world building
I love it. It's rich, detailed, diverse, and very atmospheric. The author navigated it well. However, my small brain sometimes find it hard to keep up where or who. All fault on me. Hopefully in the final copy there will huge map detailing the places.
It's a science fiction fantasy where the modern technology was blended into the antique world building.
- The characterization
We're given 3 point of view. Leo, the king, Elena, the Heir, and Yassen, the assassin.
I love seeing how their thoughts woven into the plot. It gave them the depth and well explained their behaviour and decision. None of the characters are insufferable. All of them are strong in their stance. Are capable of fight 👌
- Enemies to lovers are acceptable. It's a slowburn definitely. But the romance is definitely much little. It's a plus point for me. I felt it yet it's not overpowering the whole story. It's just enough.
- The writing style is beautiful 🫶🏽😭 I love when the authors create their own phrases and it becomes iconic 👌♥️ I can see the research and mastery it put through to create such a world.
What I have mixed feelings for:
- The palace and political instrigue
The conflicts were overlapping one another.
The international affair conflicts and war felt too rushed and cramped at the end of the book.
- The twist didn't work for me. Including the epilogue. It didn't make sense?????
- I would love it if the pace is a bit faster.
To conclude, if you're into adult SFF, slowburn enemies to lover, political + religion + international war conflicts, badass FMC, twist and turn with a detailed explanation and lengthy actions to get there, give this book a go.
I would definitely read the sequel!!!
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and War