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onegalonelife27's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Zhara is a good fantasy story. It has the classic-magic is forbidden due to previous disasters and thus persecuted and put to death by lawy-trope in play so thus the main heroine must hide her magic while trying to support her family. However, when magicians start to become abominations, Zhara finds herself embracing her magic to save those afflicted and find out the source. There's a strong cast of characters, some good world building, solid magic combat scenes. I'd say Guardians of Dawn is off to a good start!
And onto one of my favorite aspects-the male lead in this book! Han is the BEST! He's awkward, he's tries so hard to impress and help the heroine in combat-he often fails, but tries with all he's got. He's also there for the heroine when she needs emotional support. I'd certainly put him on the himbo scale, because man all the history and innuendos that fly over this guy's head. I've forgotten what a joy it is to have such a dork of hero! We need more dorky, sweet men in fiction and this world!
I do feel like some scenes were rushed, like I knew a scene should happen but I didn't expect it to happen when it did, without much foreshadowing to it was happening now.
Either way, I think this is a strong start to a new fantasy series and I look forward to seeing what happens next in this world!
And onto one of my favorite aspects-the male lead in this book! Han is the BEST! He's awkward, he's tries so hard to impress and help the heroine in combat-he often fails, but tries with all he's got. He's also there for the heroine when she needs emotional support. I'd certainly put him on the himbo scale, because man all the history and innuendos that fly over this guy's head. I've forgotten what a joy it is to have such a dork of hero! We need more dorky, sweet men in fiction and this world!
I do feel like some scenes were rushed, like I knew a scene should happen but I didn't expect it to happen when it did, without much foreshadowing to it was happening now.
Either way, I think this is a strong start to a new fantasy series and I look forward to seeing what happens next in this world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and War
hailstorm3812's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
I wasn't sure about this at first because it has a very young vibe and worried I was too old to enjoy it, but I was pleased to be incorrect. It is very silly and charming in a way that makes it enjoyable for all ages. It has mythology, fairytales, queer characters, shapeshifting cats, and good looking giggles, what's more to want? I liked the characters and relationships, especially Zhara and her sister. I will definitely be tuning in for Yulana's book and this Beast character's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Body horror
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: War, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Death of parent, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.25
Content Warnings: body horror, gore, death, child abuse, ableism, confinement, homophobia, transphobia, animal cruelty, death of parents, and genocide.
This is my first read by S. Jae-Jones and WOW it was great! Such beautiful and intricate world building, characters that are easy to relate to and love. We get to meet a cast of, mostly under 18 year old's, who are finding out they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Being a teen is hard enough but imagine trying to save the people you love from possession and destruction?
Fantastic read and I can't wait to see what will happen in the continuing books!
This is my first read by S. Jae-Jones and WOW it was great! Such beautiful and intricate world building, characters that are easy to relate to and love. We get to meet a cast of, mostly under 18 year old's, who are finding out they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Being a teen is hard enough but imagine trying to save the people you love from possession and destruction?
Fantastic read and I can't wait to see what will happen in the continuing books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Genocide, Confinement, Transphobia, Animal death, Violence, Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Ableism, and Homophobia
chronicacademia's review against another edition
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Violence, Child abuse, Blood, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Medical content
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