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puddleshoes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Gore, Body shaming, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
lostinabookishworld's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I loved this book. It's inspired by Persian mythology, which is so fascinating and has so many things I absolutely adore - lyrical writing, a compelling character-driven story, forbidden romance, clashing empires, and dragons !
I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed Alizeh as our main character. The life she's had to live has been so difficult and she still has such a strong sense of compassion and care for all those around her, even if they've treated her poorly. Her strength and will to always do the right thing is admirable.
I had a bit of a difficult time liking Kamran at the start of the book. He's moody, judgmental, and a bit of a snob. I loved seeing him realize how his preconceived notions are so wrong and how he's had to really reconsider how he thinks about certain situations. I'm interested to see what happens with his character over the course of the series.
This is a very character driven and high vibes type of book so while there is a good intriguing plot, at times it feels like there's not a lot happening. I personally loved the pacing and how character driven it was, but if that's not something you enjoy this may not be the book for you, but I loved it so much and can't wait to read more.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed Alizeh as our main character. The life she's had to live has been so difficult and she still has such a strong sense of compassion and care for all those around her, even if they've treated her poorly. Her strength and will to always do the right thing is admirable.
I had a bit of a difficult time liking Kamran at the start of the book. He's moody, judgmental, and a bit of a snob. I loved seeing him realize how his preconceived notions are so wrong and how he's had to really reconsider how he thinks about certain situations. I'm interested to see what happens with his character over the course of the series.
This is a very character driven and high vibes type of book so while there is a good intriguing plot, at times it feels like there's not a lot happening. I personally loved the pacing and how character driven it was, but if that's not something you enjoy this may not be the book for you, but I loved it so much and can't wait to read more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
aoib's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Great pace, interesting plot, captivating characters and a plot-twist that managed to shock me but still made sense in relation to the story.
The book's main flaws stem from clichés of the genre (characters who desperately love each other after talking twice, a vulgar number of coincidences and far-fetched solutions, a character who stumbles and falls all the time despite being able to fight several people at the same time , etc). But that doesn't stop the book from being entertaining , interesting and really, really funny.
The book's main flaws stem from clichés of the genre (characters who desperately love each other after talking twice, a vulgar number of coincidences and far-fetched solutions, a character who stumbles and falls all the time despite being able to fight several people at the same time , etc). But that doesn't stop the book from being entertaining , interesting and really, really funny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
amalyndb's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Physical abuse
spookyclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
gingerbooknerd3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death, and Stalking
icy_queen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Suicide attempt, Violence, Kidnapping, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent and Genocide
Minor: War, Xenophobia, and Racism
sandwiiche's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
ohoho i love the world tahereh mafi is crafting here
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
marsh_mall0w's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent and Blood
Minor: War
hannahbailey's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Stylistically, I thought this was written really well and the concept was very interesting. But my god, was this long-winded. I kept reading because I thought that at any moment we'd get to the point...we didn't get there until the final pages -- more fool me 😭
There was so much potential here but we spend too long in the main characters' heads, rather than in their world. I don't mind internal dialogue but both MCs' thoughts were repetitive and confusing in the sense that their decision-making skills seemed to be lacking. The prince was so whiny and passive whilst the FMC lacked personality, I wanted to root for them but lost interest by the end of the book. It definitely felt like a huge setup for the next book which seems to be in a completely different setting with more characters introduced. Obviously, a setup is needed to make you pick up the next instalment, but it's always a shame when the first novel itself can't be treated as a standalone in its own right.
There was so much potential here but we spend too long in the main characters' heads, rather than in their world. I don't mind internal dialogue but both MCs' thoughts were repetitive and confusing in the sense that their decision-making skills seemed to be lacking. The prince was so whiny and passive whilst the FMC lacked personality, I wanted to root for them but lost interest by the end of the book. It definitely felt like a huge setup for the next book which seems to be in a completely different setting with more characters introduced. Obviously, a setup is needed to make you pick up the next instalment, but it's always a shame when the first novel itself can't be treated as a standalone in its own right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Gore, Grief, Violence, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, and Murder