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nixter's review against another edition
The exposition and world building at the beginning was just too much for me to comprehend and retain. I struggled from the jump. Maybe I’ll come back to it, but it was just a lot to take in, especially since it’s multi POV.
bejeweledmeli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I wanted to love it I really did, but for me it was too all over the place. I was not happy about the ending. I will however at some point in the near future read the sequel. I may change the rating if the sequel ends well. I did love the use of vocabulary. Keep a dictionary in handy and google Jamaican patois even if you think you know cause you have Jamaican friends like me.
siandee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
prested's review against another edition
4.0
10 years ago, the witch order Alumbrar overthrew their rival, the Obeah.
Now the Alumbrar ruled on the island, but they doubt their current leader, Doyenne Cariot.
Jazmyne Cariot, the doyenne's daughter, also has begun to doubt her mother and plots to overthrow her with other rebellious Alumbrar.
Iraya Adair has spent the past 10 years in jail with other young Obeah witches. She dreams of avenging her family, starting with the death of the Doyenne.
Jazmyne and Iraya have a common enemy, and as they work together to take down the Doyenne, they also conspire against each other.
---------------------------------
This book is so good?? I'm genuinely in shock that it didn't blow up when it came out?? It has so many elements similar to Three Dark Crowns?? Which I absolutely adored.
This book is really character driven, and most of the book is just Jazmyne and Iraya reacting/trying to figure out
I loved this story so much. Smart cleverly incorporates Jamaican culture and Patois. It was just so unique, and they did it in such a cool way.
I loved the contrast between Jazmyne and Iraya. They had a lot of similarities with how they approach things (which is why I think they sounded similar), but their childhood/experience led to them making different decisions.
Jazmyne was really trusting/less vicious because she was sheltered by her older sister and didn't expect to be put in a leadership position? She made a lot of stupid decisions throughout and relied on personal connections to gain power.
Iraya was the opposite. She relied on her physical and magical abilities to gain but lack personal connections, probably from her experience being in jail since she was 8 years old.
Jazmyne was quiet and calculating, whereas Iraya was loud and shortsighted.
It was just so interesting seeing the contrast between the two and watching them react to situations differently.
I love the plot, and it was fairly quick paced once you get situated in the world.
The only issue i had was with the magic system? I understood the worldbuilding, and it was really intricated and well thought out, but the magic system made no sense?
I really wish there was a glossary or something at the beginning that laid out the different magics and how it works. There's a glossary at the end about colors and scars associated with each magic, but I would rather learn more about how those magics work.
Usually, a confusing magic system wouldn't affect me too much, but the magic system is directly tied to the plot, so the fact that I don't understand is problematic.
Still, I was able to enjoy the story and the politicking, but it was a little difficult.
Definitely would recommend it to others, and I can't wait to read the next one!
Now the Alumbrar ruled on the island, but they doubt their current leader, Doyenne Cariot.
Jazmyne Cariot, the doyenne's daughter, also has begun to doubt her mother and plots to overthrow her with other rebellious Alumbrar.
Iraya Adair has spent the past 10 years in jail with other young Obeah witches. She dreams of avenging her family, starting with the death of the Doyenne.
Jazmyne and Iraya have a common enemy, and as they work together to take down the Doyenne, they also conspire against each other.
---------------------------------
This book is so good?? I'm genuinely in shock that it didn't blow up when it came out?? It has so many elements similar to Three Dark Crowns?? Which I absolutely adored.
This book is really character driven, and most of the book is just Jazmyne and Iraya reacting/trying to figure out
I loved this story so much. Smart cleverly incorporates Jamaican culture and Patois. It was just so unique, and they did it in such a cool way.
I loved the contrast between Jazmyne and Iraya. They had a lot of similarities with how they approach things (which is why I think they sounded similar), but their childhood/experience led to them making different decisions.
Jazmyne was really trusting/less vicious because she was sheltered by her older sister and didn't expect to be put in a leadership position? She made a lot of stupid decisions throughout and relied on personal connections to gain power.
Iraya was the opposite. She relied on her physical and magical abilities to gain but lack personal connections, probably from her experience being in jail since she was 8 years old.
Jazmyne was quiet and calculating, whereas Iraya was loud and shortsighted.
It was just so interesting seeing the contrast between the two and watching them react to situations differently.
I love the plot, and it was fairly quick paced once you get situated in the world.
The only issue i had was with the magic system? I understood the worldbuilding, and it was really intricated and well thought out, but the magic system made no sense?
I really wish there was a glossary or something at the beginning that laid out the different magics and how it works. There's a glossary at the end about colors and scars associated with each magic, but I would rather learn more about how those magics work.
Usually, a confusing magic system wouldn't affect me too much, but the magic system is directly tied to the plot, so the fact that I don't understand is problematic.
Still, I was able to enjoy the story and the politicking, but it was a little difficult.
Definitely would recommend it to others, and I can't wait to read the next one!
peachcute's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
eldritchreader's review
3.0
Trigger warnings:
I wanted to love this book so much more than I did, but alas. Long story short - this just wasn't a standout for me regarding plot (perhaps I have just read too much political YA fantasy).
The highlight of the book is, without a doubt, the setting and culture. This book is dripping in gorgeous Jamaican inspiration. It is so incredibly rich and truly sets the book apart. This in itself makes me incredibly interested in checking out the author again, Smart's voice is incredibly poignant in this respect.
Sadly, this series isn't something for me, but I have no doubt it could be a favorite for many other readers.
Spoiler
rape mentioned, murder, blood depiction, death of a parent, death of a sibling, emesis, mind control & loss of autonomy, tortureI wanted to love this book so much more than I did, but alas. Long story short - this just wasn't a standout for me regarding plot (perhaps I have just read too much political YA fantasy).
The highlight of the book is, without a doubt, the setting and culture. This book is dripping in gorgeous Jamaican inspiration. It is so incredibly rich and truly sets the book apart. This in itself makes me incredibly interested in checking out the author again, Smart's voice is incredibly poignant in this respect.
Sadly, this series isn't something for me, but I have no doubt it could be a favorite for many other readers.
Note: Review copy (audio) received via Libro.FM. This does not impact opinions within this review.blog • trigger warning database • more links
Happy reading! ❤
jrosenstein's review against another edition
2.0
Ok, several disclaimers before I launch into my review. I am very much not this book's target audience. I am a middle-aged American white woman and this is a YA novel that I think is supposed to resonate particularly with teens who have roots in the Caribbean who have never seen their culture reflected in YA fantasy. And the hook is great - a fantasy world based on Afro-Caribbean mythology that completely centers women. And I do think that concept is great, but this book really needed a stronger editorial hand. I made it through but I was so frustrated by the end.
Some of my gripes: I understand not wanting to have exposition dumps but there really needed to be more explanation. I did not understand the magic system at all, or all the different orders. There are appendices at the back listing the colors for each métier and scarification patterns for the Obeah, but those things have honestly no bearing on the plot. Meanwhile I still don't understand exactly what a guzzuh is, how the whole gold conduit thing works, why some people are secular, who the busha are and why they would try to steal someone's magic, what exactly is the deal with the pirates, how does the Yielding create a magical shield around the island, what is Aymaca and what happened to this empire, where is Zesia in relation to anything, what are the Skylands, and why is every animal called some kind of prowler?
I do think Smart has a lot of cool ideas and a lot of promise and I will gladly try her next series, but I was so, so frustrated by this book. Honestly I blame the editor more than Smart. Smart is a first-time novelist. A good editor should have caught these issues and helped clarify both the world-building and the action.
Some of my gripes: I understand not wanting to have exposition dumps but there really needed to be more explanation. I did not understand the magic system at all, or all the different orders. There are appendices at the back listing the colors for each métier and scarification patterns for the Obeah, but those things have honestly no bearing on the plot. Meanwhile I still don't understand exactly what a guzzuh is, how the whole gold conduit thing works, why some people are secular, who the busha are and why they would try to steal someone's magic, what exactly is the deal with the pirates, how does the Yielding create a magical shield around the island, what is Aymaca and what happened to this empire, where is Zesia in relation to anything, what are the Skylands, and why is every animal called some kind of prowler?
Spoiler
Also, Jazmyne seems remarkable blasé about plotting to kill her own mother, even if her mother is cold and distant. And it made no sense to me that Iraya is sort of a prisoner but seems to have a lot of freedom of movement to jump around the island and engage in all these secret meetings that felt very not secret. Neither Iraya or Jazmyne seemed like good leaders to me. They both seem impulsive and self-centered. And all the plotting was so annoying. All three of the conspirators never seem to follow through on any of the plans they make together, but each just follows their own personal plan with seemingly little regard for their shared goals. I know this is YA, but to me Jazmyne and Iraya felt like teenagers in a bad way; they don't think ahead, they don't set aside their own desires for the good of their people, and they don't see the bigger picture.I do think Smart has a lot of cool ideas and a lot of promise and I will gladly try her next series, but I was so, so frustrated by this book. Honestly I blame the editor more than Smart. Smart is a first-time novelist. A good editor should have caught these issues and helped clarify both the world-building and the action.
ebp's review
I tried, but just couldn't become engaged. It might be a case of wrong book, wrong time so I may come back to it later. However, it had a bit too much tell not show that kept taking me out of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Xenophobia
sarahlord0110's review against another edition
Slow and hard to get into immediately. Lack of background information immediately, which is normally fine, but in this book, makes it difficult to understand what’s going on and understand the characters and their motivations.