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eponineeurydice's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. The potential was there! I think I'm just in a slump... will def read the sequel tho!
whatthedeuce's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.75
patty1989's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
miss_ma's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
booksaremythirdplace's review against another edition
I’m a bit bored. Maybe a NRN read, so I may come back to it.
books4bee's review against another edition
FMC not likable, story not interesting.
sethsparksss's review against another edition
4.0
"Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours."
Wow! I had such a fantastic time reading this dual perspective YA fantasy. I really felt for both our characters. Karina suffers tremendous, heartbreaking lose. I especially connected to Malik since I have anxiety as well, and really understood his thoughts and worries.
I also absolutely love this world inspired by West African folklore which flourished and really came to life within these pages. I was slightly underwhelmed by the plot, but it is still full of adventure, intrigue, and devastating betrayal. I can't wait for the sequel to see how this duology wraps up!
Wow! I had such a fantastic time reading this dual perspective YA fantasy. I really felt for both our characters. Karina suffers tremendous, heartbreaking lose. I especially connected to Malik since I have anxiety as well, and really understood his thoughts and worries.
I also absolutely love this world inspired by West African folklore which flourished and really came to life within these pages. I was slightly underwhelmed by the plot, but it is still full of adventure, intrigue, and devastating betrayal. I can't wait for the sequel to see how this duology wraps up!
alexan13's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so gripping and angsty and good!
Something I truly appreciate in this book is Brown's dedication to depicting the effects of grief and anxiety on our protagonists. (While of course this is not universally true) I have found that in YA fantasy in particular, characters often deal with trauma, but the effects of that trauma on the characters are brushed over or not depicted on the page. In this book, both Karina and Malik struggle, and we see how grief, trauma, and panic attacks makes their functioning in their world -- and the completion of their individual quests -- difficult, and is something they must actually contend with and learn how to cope with. And neither character finds a "solution," even as both find coping mechanisms that help them. I personally (speaking only from my own experiences) thought it was a really wonderful portrayal. The character development, and my connection to both protagonists, was truly aided by this depiction.
Also, the enemies-to-lovers set-up of this novel is Top Tier. Like truly Top Tier. I can't wait to see what comes next in the sequel!
Something I truly appreciate in this book is Brown's dedication to depicting the effects of grief and anxiety on our protagonists. (While of course this is not universally true) I have found that in YA fantasy in particular, characters often deal with trauma, but the effects of that trauma on the characters are brushed over or not depicted on the page. In this book, both Karina and Malik struggle, and we see how grief, trauma, and panic attacks makes their functioning in their world -- and the completion of their individual quests -- difficult, and is something they must actually contend with and learn how to cope with. And neither character finds a "solution," even as both find coping mechanisms that help them. I personally (speaking only from my own experiences) thought it was a really wonderful portrayal. The character development, and my connection to both protagonists, was truly aided by this depiction.
Also, the enemies-to-lovers set-up of this novel is Top Tier. Like truly Top Tier. I can't wait to see what comes next in the sequel!