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thepagelady's review
3.0
This was a great story of forbidden love with some mystery! The descriptions of the settings and what was going on was really good! The characters were good but I never really got invested in them. Durkhanai is spoiled and stubborn but it fits her character and she did grow and change as the story went on and that was nice. Overall it's a story rich in culture, mystery and some interesting twists! Thank you Let's Talk Books for sharing this book with me!
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This had so much potential, but the narrative style really let it down. There so much repetition, especially of adjectives, that it made the descriptions predictable and frustrating, and it just felt like the whole book needed a thorough edit. We also got a lot more telling than showing (in particular, telling us how the protagonist had grown and into a mature young woman when her actions spoke otherwise), and the plot and pacing seemed to be fighting each other rather than working together. The plot also just didn't have a lot of substance to it? I'm glad I finally ticked this off my TBR, but I don't think I'll be reading the sequel, despite the cliffhanger.
cosmopolitan's review
3.0
What is that ending miss author. You build your entire book around it yet it was disappointing. It was boring at some parts and I don’t like the main character at all.
rameesa_15's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
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? Yes
3.5
cemetryboys's review
4.0
ngl I have mixed feelings about this book, there were some things that bothered me throughout but i will say it got much better towards than it was throughout so. 3.5/5
athenezadam's review
4.0
Qureshi shines at creating beautiful imagery and at creating a consistently haughty yet naïve princess as the protagonist. Through this character, the novel hints at an insidious political undertone, unveiling its complicated layers in an interesting way that will leave the reader wanting to move on to the next book in this duology.
nightfells's review
4.0
the writing style is so beautiful and poetic it felt like reading a fairytale and THAT ENDING OH MY GOD i need the sequel NOW
tazisbooked's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so GOOD. I love when I read a book and I don't have to try too hard to see a movie in my head play out; it just happens naturally - and THE LADY OR THE LION played such a lush, gorgeous movie in my head while reading it!!! My favorite Bollywood movies are the historic ones - Jodha Akbaar, Ram Leela, Padmavat - and THE LADY OR THE LION was dripping in those vibes while being so Muslim.
I loved this book. Not only was the romance incredible, the politcal plot and betrayals that happened had me so INVESTED and hurt. Overall, it was a great exploration of south asian family dynamics and above all else, anti-blackness that has yet to be truly addressed in our cultural and religious circles. My heart broke for Asfandyar, a half black character, over and over and then broke again knowing that there is real-life basis of how he is treated.
On the audiobook aspect of this book (as I listened to it) - I'm one of those people who listen to books at 1.4 or 1.5x speed. The pace of the narration was very slow - too slow. I was listening at over 2.0x speed and the accent the narrator affected for Asfandyar was not my favorite.
I loved watching Durkhanai's growth from a spoiled, petulant princess to a poised, sure queen.
Also be warned of the cliffhanger at the end - I am kicking myself for not having the sequel ready to go.
Thank you CamCat Books and Netgalley for an ALC for sharing this incredible book with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
I loved this book. Not only was the romance incredible, the politcal plot and betrayals that happened had me so INVESTED and hurt. Overall, it was a great exploration of south asian family dynamics and above all else, anti-blackness that has yet to be truly addressed in our cultural and religious circles. My heart broke for Asfandyar, a half black character, over and over and then broke again knowing that there is real-life basis of how he is treated.
On the audiobook aspect of this book (as I listened to it) - I'm one of those people who listen to books at 1.4 or 1.5x speed. The pace of the narration was very slow - too slow. I was listening at over 2.0x speed and the accent the narrator affected for Asfandyar was not my favorite.
I loved watching Durkhanai's growth from a spoiled, petulant princess to a poised, sure queen.
Also be warned of the cliffhanger at the end - I am kicking myself for not having the sequel ready to go.
Thank you CamCat Books and Netgalley for an ALC for sharing this incredible book with me in exchange for my honest opinions.