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jashanac's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
**I received a free e-book copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I started the book and I immediately felt like I could see this world. And I immediately appreciated that we were following Sylah, one of the main characters, who has a drug addiction. In the first bit of the book, Sylah's entire existence is focused on getting more of the drug she is addicted to.
However, for the first bit of the book, I was considering dnf-ing. But I already dnf-ed a different anticipated release from NetGalley and I really didn't want to do that again. So I told myself I'd give it to 50%. Around 30%, it started to pick up for me, and then by 40-50% I was pretty much hooked.
These characters are flawed and their relationships with each other become complicated, but I became SO invested in them. They felt so incredibly well-fleshed-out. They felt like real people! And I love that the romance was complex and didn't necessarily end up in a neat & tidy way. Also... without spoiling anything I'll just say that there was a bit of a love triangle situation happening that genuinely made sense and worked well (in my opinion, obviously)... ?!?!?!
AND -- one of my most haaaated tropes is The Big Lie. This book used that but once again, in a way that made sense to me and literally not for one second did it frustrate me or annoy me. TRULY SHOCKING.
And this world is so interesting and complex and MYSTERIOUS! THAT ENDING?!?!?!?! HELLO?!?!?!?!
I just think this is one of the most solid debuts I have read in a good long while, and I can't wait for the rest of the series... !
THEMES I SAW: Caste system. Oppression (& suppression) of a group of people. Lost/hidden true history of an empire. Long competition (over a couple of months) to determine new leadership (upper caste). Lack of education used as a tool to keep people down. Colonization. Attempted genocide of indigenous population.
I started the book and I immediately felt like I could see this world. And I immediately appreciated that we were following Sylah, one of the main characters, who has a drug addiction. In the first bit of the book, Sylah's entire existence is focused on getting more of the drug she is addicted to.
However, for the first bit of the book, I was considering dnf-ing. But I already dnf-ed a different anticipated release from NetGalley and I really didn't want to do that again. So I told myself I'd give it to 50%. Around 30%, it started to pick up for me, and then by 40-50% I was pretty much hooked.
These characters are flawed and their relationships with each other become complicated, but I became SO invested in them. They felt so incredibly well-fleshed-out. They felt like real people! And I love that the romance was complex and didn't necessarily end up in a neat & tidy way. Also... without spoiling anything I'll just say that there was a bit of a love triangle situation happening that genuinely made sense and worked well (in my opinion, obviously)... ?!?!?!
AND -- one of my most haaaated tropes is The Big Lie. This book used that but once again, in a way that made sense to me and literally not for one second did it frustrate me or annoy me. TRULY SHOCKING.
And this world is so interesting and complex and MYSTERIOUS! THAT ENDING?!?!?!?! HELLO?!?!?!?!
I just think this is one of the most solid debuts I have read in a good long while, and I can't wait for the rest of the series... !
THEMES I SAW: Caste system. Oppression (& suppression) of a group of people. Lost/hidden true history of an empire. Long competition (over a couple of months) to determine new leadership (upper caste). Lack of education used as a tool to keep people down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Torture, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Child death
qace90's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
I am absolutely adrift in feelings after finishing this masterpiece and I cannot wait to see what happens next with Hassa, Sylah, and Anoor. Full review closer to release!
Full review:
I am absolutely adrift in feelings after finishing this masterpiece and I cannot wait to see what happens next with Hassa, Sylah, and Anoor.
The Final Strife is a story of survival, family, and fighting to make and be a change for good. Sylah is part of the Stolen, a group of Ember children stolen by Dusters to win the Aktibar and rid the Empire of Embers. Hassa is a Ghosting, and in many ways she is invisible which allows her to know more than anyone else. And Anoor is one of the Dustings left in place of the Stolen, left with the Warden of Strength and hated because her existence presents a show of weakness that Uka’s household could be infiltrated.
There are so many elements at play in this book and I found it so hard to put down or not think about it when I was forced to deal with the real world. I love the complicated motivations of all the characters and the way secrets and hidden truths have shaped the reality they’re all living in. Anoor and Sylah are both trying to figure out where they fit in the world they're living in, while Hassa is a silent watcher to all the things going on. Hassa is also more aware of everyone's secrets than sometimes the people whose secrets she knows even are aware.of their own histories. This just truly does so much and I don’t want to give too much away because getting sucked into this world and feeling for these characters is such an experience. Themes of grief, friendships, family, and the mystery of what’s happening in the Empire.
I adored this book and look forward to more from Saara and the continuation of the Final Strife Trilogy!
Review will be posted to Cannonball Read on June 14, 2022
I am absolutely adrift in feelings after finishing this masterpiece and I cannot wait to see what happens next with Hassa, Sylah, and Anoor. Full review closer to release!
Full review:
I am absolutely adrift in feelings after finishing this masterpiece and I cannot wait to see what happens next with Hassa, Sylah, and Anoor.
The Final Strife is a story of survival, family, and fighting to make and be a change for good. Sylah is part of the Stolen, a group of Ember children stolen by Dusters to win the Aktibar and rid the Empire of Embers. Hassa is a Ghosting, and in many ways she is invisible which allows her to know more than anyone else. And Anoor is one of the Dustings left in place of the Stolen, left with the Warden of Strength and hated because her existence presents a show of weakness that Uka’s household could be infiltrated.
There are so many elements at play in this book and I found it so hard to put down or not think about it when I was forced to deal with the real world. I love the complicated motivations of all the characters and the way secrets and hidden truths have shaped the reality they’re all living in. Anoor and Sylah are both trying to figure out where they fit in the world they're living in, while Hassa is a silent watcher to all the things going on. Hassa is also more aware of everyone's secrets than sometimes the people whose secrets she knows even are aware.of their own histories. This just truly does so much and I don’t want to give too much away because getting sucked into this world and feeling for these characters is such an experience. Themes of grief, friendships, family, and the mystery of what’s happening in the Empire.
I adored this book and look forward to more from Saara and the continuation of the Final Strife Trilogy!
Review will be posted to Cannonball Read on June 14, 2022
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Gore and Physical abuse
Minor: Fatphobia
- Alcohol consumption - Disfigurement/maiming - Execution - Prejudice - Gambling - Nightmares - Withdrawal - Vomiting - Sexual content
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