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danne789's review against another edition
3.0
The book was really good, but if that was the ending for a stand alone book, I'm pretty disappointed. I really hope there's another installation.
gazook's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ionab46's review against another edition
3.0
Whew is there a lot to unpack in this novel. This review will include minor spoilers, but nothing too major.
Replace the seraph blade for an asaya; the tattoos on the body for tattoos on the face & khol; the “unruly” curly red hair & white skin for unruly curly brown hair & brown skin; replace all connections of the Christian faith & Shadowhunters with Egyptian gods & Medjai, and you got yourself, Wardens of Eternity.
This book was honestly nearly a carbon-copy of the structure of City of Bones. The similarities were astounding. The basics of City of Bones is that there are appointed warriors called Shadowhunters that were created by the Angel Raziel to protect the Earth from supernatural beings. The basics of Wardens of Eternity is that there are Egyptian warriors that are appointed by the Egyptian gods (called the Medjai) to protect the Earth from… you guess it, supernatural beings. Similar to where Clary could manipulate runes to be a very powerful Shadowhunter, Ziva has a lot of control/manipulation over the Egyptian magic. They both start off in New York City. They both get attacked by a supernatural being, which thrusts them into a world hidden within their own, where a warrior-siblings help adjust them into their new life/welcomes them into their family. (view spoiler) They both have tattoos that help protect them and guide them in battle. The Shadowhunters have Institutes that are protected by magic wards and look abandoned on the outside, but grand on the inside; the Medjai have an abandoned mansion and a “Hall” that looks abandoned on the outside but grand on the inside. Shadowhunters/Medjais stay in the Institute/Halls until they are given an assignment.
...Shall I go on?
Now, don’t get me wrong, this book did have its bright sides. I won’t lie, I was very skeptical of this book before I even opened it. I felt a little queasy about the fact that this was a book centered around Egyptian culture, while the author was a white woman from Michigan. I was afraid that Moulton might do the thing that white people do very well: white wash history. Or half-ass history. You can tell Moulton has done a fair amount of research on Ancient Egyptians, and has passion for their history. You can tell Moulton put a lot of soul in explaining and teaching the readers about Egyptian history and culture. It still makes me a little uncomfortable that a white woman wrote in first-person (let me repeat that: FIRST PERSON!!) the experience of a minority character in White-America; but, I am also white, so I cannot speak for minorities. Whether or not they feel she portrayed their experiences accurately is their call to make, I cannot tell the author or them if she did a good job representing them. It is not my place (if that makes sense?).
I especially liked when the author took the characters straight to Cairo. It’s not every day that YA fantasy books are taking place anywhere but the Western World or Asia, and I loved reading a novel that was transporting me to a new country.
I’m giving this book 3-stars instead of 2, because if you haven’t read City of Bones, then you might really enjoy this book. It wasn’t a bad book, it was just something that’s been done before.
Replace the seraph blade for an asaya; the tattoos on the body for tattoos on the face & khol; the “unruly” curly red hair & white skin for unruly curly brown hair & brown skin; replace all connections of the Christian faith & Shadowhunters with Egyptian gods & Medjai, and you got yourself, Wardens of Eternity.
This book was honestly nearly a carbon-copy of the structure of City of Bones. The similarities were astounding. The basics of City of Bones is that there are appointed warriors called Shadowhunters that were created by the Angel Raziel to protect the Earth from supernatural beings. The basics of Wardens of Eternity is that there are Egyptian warriors that are appointed by the Egyptian gods (called the Medjai) to protect the Earth from… you guess it, supernatural beings. Similar to where Clary could manipulate runes to be a very powerful Shadowhunter, Ziva has a lot of control/manipulation over the Egyptian magic. They both start off in New York City. They both get attacked by a supernatural being, which thrusts them into a world hidden within their own, where a warrior-siblings help adjust them into their new life/welcomes them into their family. (view spoiler) They both have tattoos that help protect them and guide them in battle. The Shadowhunters have Institutes that are protected by magic wards and look abandoned on the outside, but grand on the inside; the Medjai have an abandoned mansion and a “Hall” that looks abandoned on the outside but grand on the inside. Shadowhunters/Medjais stay in the Institute/Halls until they are given an assignment.
...Shall I go on?
Now, don’t get me wrong, this book did have its bright sides. I won’t lie, I was very skeptical of this book before I even opened it. I felt a little queasy about the fact that this was a book centered around Egyptian culture, while the author was a white woman from Michigan. I was afraid that Moulton might do the thing that white people do very well: white wash history. Or half-ass history. You can tell Moulton has done a fair amount of research on Ancient Egyptians, and has passion for their history. You can tell Moulton put a lot of soul in explaining and teaching the readers about Egyptian history and culture. It still makes me a little uncomfortable that a white woman wrote in first-person (let me repeat that: FIRST PERSON!!) the experience of a minority character in White-America; but, I am also white, so I cannot speak for minorities. Whether or not they feel she portrayed their experiences accurately is their call to make, I cannot tell the author or them if she did a good job representing them. It is not my place (if that makes sense?).
I especially liked when the author took the characters straight to Cairo. It’s not every day that YA fantasy books are taking place anywhere but the Western World or Asia, and I loved reading a novel that was transporting me to a new country.
I’m giving this book 3-stars instead of 2, because if you haven’t read City of Bones, then you might really enjoy this book. It wasn’t a bad book, it was just something that’s been done before.
alyram4's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5 stars
This book was a bit all over the place for me. I sometimes loved it, sometimes felt bored, and other times had no idea what I even felt. I've been trying to digest my thoughts, but it's a bit difficult for me to truly give then out. I did enjoy this for the most part, so I decided to round up my rating.
The plot was interesting and definitely unique. I lived all the Egyptian mythology that this book covered. Mythology is always one of my favorite topics in general, so seeing them p uhh tninto a book usually makes me very excited! I thought the mythology was done really well, and I appreciate the fact that the author included the many Gods that are relevant in the mythology. So with that said, I actually had issues with the World War 2 aspect. The story itself was well done, but the inclusion of WW2 just felt off to me throughout the entire thing. While I understand why it was included and its meaning for the bigger picture, I still don't think it should've been as prominent as it is. It just throws off the story for me on multiple occasions, enough times that I actually lowered my rating.
Characters are a mixed bag. I like Ziva, Sayer and Nasira, but I had quite a few issues with each of them. Some of their actions or conversations make no sense for what the scene is presenting, so I found myself frustrated at moments. I also have to point out that I didn't love any of them. I liked them for the most part, but even after a few hours I start to forget some of their details. They're a bit forgettable, especially a character who gets offed. I hope the characters get improved in the next book, as this was a major issue for me.
I'd say that if this book interests you to give it a shot! Keep in mind that it may not be the best start for a series, but it does bring new and interesting ideas to the table to keep you entertained.
ARC provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was a bit all over the place for me. I sometimes loved it, sometimes felt bored, and other times had no idea what I even felt. I've been trying to digest my thoughts, but it's a bit difficult for me to truly give then out. I did enjoy this for the most part, so I decided to round up my rating.
The plot was interesting and definitely unique. I lived all the Egyptian mythology that this book covered. Mythology is always one of my favorite topics in general, so seeing them p uhh tninto a book usually makes me very excited! I thought the mythology was done really well, and I appreciate the fact that the author included the many Gods that are relevant in the mythology. So with that said, I actually had issues with the World War 2 aspect. The story itself was well done, but the inclusion of WW2 just felt off to me throughout the entire thing. While I understand why it was included and its meaning for the bigger picture, I still don't think it should've been as prominent as it is. It just throws off the story for me on multiple occasions, enough times that I actually lowered my rating.
Characters are a mixed bag. I like Ziva, Sayer and Nasira, but I had quite a few issues with each of them. Some of their actions or conversations make no sense for what the scene is presenting, so I found myself frustrated at moments. I also have to point out that I didn't love any of them. I liked them for the most part, but even after a few hours I start to forget some of their details. They're a bit forgettable, especially a character who gets offed. I hope the characters get improved in the next book, as this was a major issue for me.
I'd say that if this book interests you to give it a shot! Keep in mind that it may not be the best start for a series, but it does bring new and interesting ideas to the table to keep you entertained.
ARC provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
storiedadventures's review against another edition
3.0
Full review on my blog, Storied Adventures!
Likes: I really loved the mythology, the characters, the action, and plot. Anubis was my favorite!
Dislikes: It started to get a bit overdone when it's mentioned a million times how Egypt has been persecuted and enslaved basically. Yeah... Egypt ALSO did that to other countries. No country is perfect.
Likes: I really loved the mythology, the characters, the action, and plot. Anubis was my favorite!
Dislikes: It started to get a bit overdone when it's mentioned a million times how Egypt has been persecuted and enslaved basically. Yeah... Egypt ALSO did that to other countries. No country is perfect.
mitzee's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this was a fantastic read, I loved this world and the magic system, and watching Niva deal with everything! I'm hoping there's going to be a sequel!
bookish_spoonie's review against another edition
DNF
Sadly this book didn't meet my expectations. The idea of the story sounded really interesting and the start of the book had my attention but I found the writing to be quite poor. The characters and their conversation was really stilted and alot of the changes were just so unrealistic, even for fantasy!
I found it to be rather confused and wish they has stuck to her story without going to read about the gods (which was boring and rather ridiculous).
I wish I liked it more as it had such promise but it is a DNF for me.
This book was gifted in exchange for an honest review.
Sadly this book didn't meet my expectations. The idea of the story sounded really interesting and the start of the book had my attention but I found the writing to be quite poor. The characters and their conversation was really stilted and alot of the changes were just so unrealistic, even for fantasy!
I found it to be rather confused and wish they has stuck to her story without going to read about the gods (which was boring and rather ridiculous).
I wish I liked it more as it had such promise but it is a DNF for me.
This book was gifted in exchange for an honest review.
jlynnelseauthor's review
4.0
At age three, Ziva’s parents abandoned her on the streets of New York. Fifteen years later, in 1939, she struggles to keep her innate magic abilities secret… until she comes face-to-face with a creature from myth: a kriosphinx. During her battle against the otherworldly beast, she’s aided by two strangers with magical abilities. Surprised to encounter people like her, Ziva discovers she is a descendant of Queen Nefertari, Great Royal Wife of Ramesses the Great, and is destined to lead the Order of Medjai to her mummy. Once found and resurrected, Nefertari will usher Egypt into a new age of glory. But the god Set will stop at nothing to prevent the resurrection, and his minions are relentless in their pursuit of Ziva and her new friends.
The narrative moves swiftly as Ziva joins the Medjai and searches for the pieces necessary to resurrect Nefertari. I found the magical elements intriguing. That being said, Ziva learns her powers a bit too easily, fighting against gods only a few days after training has begun. Additionally, the references to Ziva appearing as a “true princess” of Amarna feels out of place, particularly as the god Aten has no other relevance to the story. Amarna was Akhenaten’s heretical city, Akhetaten, and while there’s speculation linking Queen Nefertari to his family, Nefertari would have been a great-granddaughter in a time when Amarna/Akhetaten was being erased from memory.
Ziva’s journey of discovering herself and growing into her past is the heart of this novel. We search for ancient artifacts and battle Set’s forces through Ziva’s eyes while feeling the empowerment her heritage provides. Wardens of Eternity has a lot of intriguing serial potential. I’d read more to see what culminates between Ziva, the gods, and mortals. Expect some surprise twists at the very end.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/wardens-of-eternity/
The narrative moves swiftly as Ziva joins the Medjai and searches for the pieces necessary to resurrect Nefertari. I found the magical elements intriguing. That being said, Ziva learns her powers a bit too easily, fighting against gods only a few days after training has begun. Additionally, the references to Ziva appearing as a “true princess” of Amarna feels out of place, particularly as the god Aten has no other relevance to the story. Amarna was Akhenaten’s heretical city, Akhetaten, and while there’s speculation linking Queen Nefertari to his family, Nefertari would have been a great-granddaughter in a time when Amarna/Akhetaten was being erased from memory.
Ziva’s journey of discovering herself and growing into her past is the heart of this novel. We search for ancient artifacts and battle Set’s forces through Ziva’s eyes while feeling the empowerment her heritage provides. Wardens of Eternity has a lot of intriguing serial potential. I’d read more to see what culminates between Ziva, the gods, and mortals. Expect some surprise twists at the very end.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/wardens-of-eternity/