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bffwnho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Xenophobia, Self harm, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
hayleemarie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Grief, and Death
Minor: Self harm, War, Physical abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
durrareadsstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.5
MIND = BLOWN đ¤Żđ¤Żđ¤Ż
I did not expect to love it it this much. The first half was a little hard to get into, truth be told. It was kind of slow and it took some time for me to wrap my head around the world-building, but I stayed for the wonderful and just genius writing. I mean how does she come up with these sentence structures and proses?? The plot was also just amazing. Towards the end, the twists just kept coming and I feel a little mad at myself for not seeing it but WOW all those betrayals and secrets and whatnots were hidden so well. The romance was not a big part of the story, but I actually didn't really mind that. It kind of gave way to discuss a whole other array of more important themes like mental health, grief, and just very well done character development. However I do feel like the side characters weren't given that much spotlight. Although that probably adds to the "alone-ness" of the characters and how they kind of separate themselves from other people as a defense mechanism, only discovering in the end that they do need help and that they're only human.
Oh man, THE CHARACTERS!! I love Karina and Malik so much! I feel like they're not your average ya protagonists (can't really explain that, it just feels that way) they're both so broken and raw and the way they were written, with Malik having panic attacks and Karina with the constant breakdowns and migraines, was so vulnerable. And yet they found strength within themselves and discovered their true powers. Very relatable which I think is so powerful of a quality to have in characters.
Besides that, the atmosphere and the world-building was truly magical. I think it's amazing how so many real-life themes were so effortlessly incorporated into a fantasy book. I mean, racism, mental health, oppression, immigration, abandonment, to name a few.
I did not expect to love it it this much. The first half was a little hard to get into, truth be told. It was kind of slow and it took some time for me to wrap my head around the world-building, but I stayed for the wonderful and just genius writing. I mean how does she come up with these sentence structures and proses?? The plot was also just amazing. Towards the end, the twists just kept coming and I feel a little mad at myself for not seeing it but WOW all those betrayals and secrets and whatnots were hidden so well. The romance was not a big part of the story, but I actually didn't really mind that. It kind of gave way to discuss a whole other array of more important themes like mental health, grief, and just very well done character development. However I do feel like the side characters weren't given that much spotlight. Although that probably adds to the "alone-ness" of the characters and how they kind of separate themselves from other people as a defense mechanism, only discovering in the end that they do need help and that they're only human.
Oh man, THE CHARACTERS!! I love Karina and Malik so much! I feel like they're not your average ya protagonists (can't really explain that, it just feels that way) they're both so broken and raw and the way they were written, with Malik having panic attacks and Karina with the constant breakdowns and migraines, was so vulnerable. And yet they found strength within themselves and discovered their true powers. Very relatable which I think is so powerful of a quality to have in characters.
Besides that, the atmosphere and the world-building was truly magical. I think it's amazing how so many real-life themes were so effortlessly incorporated into a fantasy book. I mean, racism, mental health, oppression, immigration, abandonment, to name a few.
This book absolutely blew my mind. I'm surprised people don't talk about it as much as other books. I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs how fantastic this book was. I'll leave you with my favourite quotes đđ
But that was the problem with blades. Once sharpened, they could be used against enemy and wielder alike.
words she could deal with, but silence was a beast she was ill-equipped to handle.
In that moment, she was manic energy and sorrow, a loosed arrow with no target. The wound that Baba and Hananeâs deaths had opened inside her had never healed, and now her motherâs death had joined it, bleeding her heart dry with a grief that refused to be staunched. She bled and she bled, and still it poured from her, more than one person was ever meant to hold.
If Ziran fell, her only regret would be that she could not be the storm that tore it apart.
He had wandered into a web, one Driss and Tunde had been born to navigate despite their differing views, spiders at home among the interlocking threads that made up the court.
And what was Malik compared to them? Just a fly waiting to be swallowed whole.
âEveryone gets scared,â he said gently. âIâm scared of a lot of things. Small spaces. Big dogs. Dying . . . dying alone. I know it doesnât mean a lot coming from me, but I donât think youâre weak for being scared. I donât think you could be as strong as you are if you werenât.â
âYou tear yourself down for things you could not have known or done,â said Nyeni. âWhy punish a seed for not yet being a tree?â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Self harm, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse
februaryfriday's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
3.5
i picked this up on a whim and i have no regrets.
firstly, the magic system was really unique and interesting and the lore involved so lovely to read about.
however, i feel like this novel didnât reach its full potential quite yet. i liked the characters, but for some reason i wasnât really that invested (could also still be leftover pieces of my reading slump). i felt more for them towards the end when things ~happened~, but i wish we couldâve seen more of the protagonists interactions and see why they actually like each other.
nevertheless, it was very enjoyable and thrilling, especially the second half. i will probably pick up the second book sometime to see where it goes and would still recommend it if it sounds like something youâd enjoy!
firstly, the magic system was really unique and interesting and the lore involved so lovely to read about.
however, i feel like this novel didnât reach its full potential quite yet. i liked the characters, but for some reason i wasnât really that invested (could also still be leftover pieces of my reading slump). i felt more for them towards the end when things ~happened~, but i wish we couldâve seen more of the protagonists interactions and see why they actually like each other.
nevertheless, it was very enjoyable and thrilling, especially the second half. i will probably pick up the second book sometime to see where it goes and would still recommend it if it sounds like something youâd enjoy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
maryannsophia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The premise of this book is amazing - and Roseanne Brown's masterful use of West African, North African, and Indian folklore and culture is immersive and incredibly unique.
But her characters are morally ambiguous and tortured. I got tired reading chapter after chapter of PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and distress without a real sense of hope.The one bright spot is Malik's love for his sister, but even that is overshadowed by his drive to murder in order to save her. And Karina spends the majority of the book trying to resurrect her mother with necromancy, but is so upset when another character succeeds at exactly that with her sister. It appears necromancy and dark magic were only right if she herself did them.
The characters' sense of right and wrong is very tied to their feelings.Karina is okay with killing her husband as long as it's someone she doesn't have feelings for. But as soon as she gets close to Malik and Tunde, she decides not to kill each of them.
Lastly, there is no clear bad guy, or good and evil. While there is a place for "No bad guy" in fiction, the forces in this book are tricksters out for their own agendas, manipulating and backstabbing as they see fit. If that's your cup of tea, then it's up to you.
As good as the wonderful cultural and folklore references are, I can't in good conscience recommen this book. As a third-culture kid who grew up in Africa, that's why I was drawn to this book. But it's tone and worldview are too bleak and disatisfying to justify recommending it.
But her characters are morally ambiguous and tortured. I got tired reading chapter after chapter of PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and distress without a real sense of hope.
The characters' sense of right and wrong is very tied to their feelings.
Lastly, there is no clear bad guy, or good and evil. While there is a place for "No bad guy" in fiction, the forces in this book are tricksters out for their own agendas, manipulating and backstabbing as they see fit. If that's your cup of tea, then it's up to you.
As good as the wonderful cultural and folklore references are, I can't in good conscience recommen this book. As a third-culture kid who grew up in Africa, that's why I was drawn to this book. But it's tone and worldview are too bleak and disatisfying to justify recommending it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Violence
longhairzuko's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
The second half of this book was absolutely amazing. I couldn't put it down. I felt that the beginning was a little slow and hard to get into. The panic attacks and grief that the characters experience were written wonderfully, but unfortunately I found myself experiencing their anxiety. This is not a fault of the book and Brown includes a detailed trigger warning at the beginning. I would just be careful if you tend to physically feel character's emotions. This did lessen as the book went on, and the story was so gripping that I would 100% recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Self harm, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
ghouligan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Although the story is historical fiction inspired by West African folklore, the author has created a story that mirrors many current events in the U.S. and across the globe.queenie_ofthe_void's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death of parent, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, War, and Xenophobia
kiahmaria04's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
omg thereâs so much i want to say about this book⌠(iâll try not to spoil lol)
firstly, i cannot believe this was a debut book. it was so well written and had everything you would want in a fantasy (and lowkey romance) book. it was so refreshing and interesting to read a book based on west and north african folklore and i loved getting to dive into this magical world. despite the book being relatively fast paced, i still felt like it flowed well, the plot was cohesive (and relatively easy to understand for a fantasy book lol), and the characters had really good development. Karina and Malikâs struggles with mental illness weâre definitely relatable to me and it made my heart so full to see them overcome their struggles (i felt like a proud mom lol). the romance in this book, i thought, was definitely more lowkey, however i didnât mind. i think that it was still well done and contributed well to the plot. i think (and hope!) that Brown will dive more in depth to the main characterâs romance in the next book. all in all, i literally cannot wait until âa psalm of storms and silenceâ comes out!!
firstly, i cannot believe this was a debut book. it was so well written and had everything you would want in a fantasy (and lowkey romance) book. it was so refreshing and interesting to read a book based on west and north african folklore and i loved getting to dive into this magical world. despite the book being relatively fast paced, i still felt like it flowed well, the plot was cohesive (and relatively easy to understand for a fantasy book lol), and the characters had really good development. Karina and Malikâs struggles with mental illness weâre definitely relatable to me and it made my heart so full to see them overcome their struggles (i felt like a proud mom lol). the romance in this book, i thought, was definitely more lowkey, however i didnât mind. i think that it was still well done and contributed well to the plot. i think (and hope!) that Brown will dive more in depth to the main characterâs romance in the next book. all in all, i literally cannot wait until âa psalm of storms and silenceâ comes out!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Vomit
abutler's review against another edition
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and Grief
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder