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jobaji's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.25
This book starts kind of slow, but really picks up when you get to the middle. The relationships between the characters are really compelling and special, and the fantasy world that Hafsah Faizal has crafted is so vast, complex, and fascinating!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Misogyny and Torture
doodeedoda's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Child abuse, Misogyny, Grief, Violence, Murder, Blood, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
nadiaherondale's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Although I was a bit lost with the world building at first I definitely enjoyed the story and loved the complexity of all of the characters, Nasir especially, and hus relationship with Altair. Still, the book was hard to read because often times there were chapters I just wasn't able to be interested in the story, and I was expecting this to be a 5 stars when it's just 4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Tbh…? This was very predictable and did read like a first book :/ some cringey writing highlights (SPOILER WARNING)
‘‘But you’ll be dead and I’ll be… Okht I’ll be alone,’ Lana whispered. Zafira’s eyes burned. ‘It’s what Baba would have wanted.’’ Lol wut?
And
‘Deen’s throat would never bob again.’ Lol wut
‘‘But you’ll be dead and I’ll be… Okht I’ll be alone,’ Lana whispered. Zafira’s eyes burned. ‘It’s what Baba would have wanted.’’ Lol wut?
And
‘Deen’s throat would never bob again.’ Lol wut
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, Grief, Physical abuse, Torture, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Self harm
megan_alice's review
adventurous
challenging
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
4.0
It was a bit slow to start but it started picking up once the quest and action began. It was funnier than I was expecting with witty banter and cutting quips.
I enjoyed that all of the characters had their own agenda to start with, and then the dynamics of the group changed so they started to care for one another and become friends.
The relationship between Nasir and Zafira worked well as a slow burn. Their shifting feelings felt genuine and believable.
I enjoyed the growth of the characters as well, with Zafira growing into her confidence and Nasir allowing himself to experience his emotions.
I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!
I enjoyed that all of the characters had their own agenda to start with, and then the dynamics of the group changed so they started to care for one another and become friends.
The relationship between Nasir and Zafira worked well as a slow burn. Their shifting feelings felt genuine and believable.
I enjoyed the growth of the characters as well, with Zafira growing into her confidence and Nasir allowing himself to experience his emotions.
I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
bri__'s review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book, the chapters are versatile being both long and short and the dual pov was captivating. I was deeply enraptured in the writing style and main relationship of the characters. I will say I did not expect the plot twists and I found the main conflict scene to be very fast paced compared to the build up but other than that I found this to be an entertaining read and im anticipating the pure pain of the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, War, Child death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture
edilyaaang's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
I was so excited to read this book because it got so many good reviews only to be disappointed by the story. At first I disliked Nasir. How can someone be an assassin and be so weak-willed at the same time. My blood boiled when he said the lines "I wanted my father's approval so I became a monster" like wtf is wrong with you! I know he had a terrible time growing up but it's not like he lost his compassion. He still knows what he is doing for his evil father was wrong and it breaks his heart evertime he kills someone innocent but he does it anyway so that his dad can love him wtf. I got soooo tempted to drop the book a third of the way but then things got exciting so I pushed through. But then I started disliking Zafira. It's like she just can't make up her mind. She's all for camaraderie one moment then cold and angry the next. Despite everything the gang has been through, she just can't trust anyone and is always full of suspicion which in turn affects the groups dynamic. Not to mention she was sooo useless at the battle in the end, she can't even keep the Jawarat safe for pete's sake! There were tons of times that I wanted to just throw the book out of frustration and give up on it but I was nearing the end so I just gritted my teeth and tried my best to finish the book. Whew, what a journey. I heard the 2nd book is waaaaaaay better than this though so I look forward to reading that but this one drove me nuts. Lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Sexism, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Classism, and Gaslighting
kbairbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book gave me strong high fantasy vibes. I spent the first while confused because so many names, nicknames, words, and languages were thrown at me and although I got more used to it as the book went on even by the end I was still confused. That’s on me I’m sure as the reader but I also didn’t enjoy the romance (either of them) or the characters, or the fight scenes.. I dunno this was a dark high fantasy but I didn’t connect to any of it and the constant pov change and many tiny chapters felt exhausting to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Gaslighting, Genocide, Physical abuse, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Abandonment, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Child death, Classism, and Misogyny
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
Title of review: get the audiobook!
I listened to only the audiobook for the first ~25% and then finished the rest in one day by doing a combo of audiobook + reading a physical copy (the first time I've done that which I did enjoy). That first 25% was pretty slow going only on audiobook, and I definitely made use of the author/book's website to look up the map and the terminology/characters many many times as I was quite confused with what words meant (wish these were in the physical book for easy reference, idk how people get through without it).
The narrators (one for each MC POV) were fantastic - and I definitely think it added to the drama and action/pacing of the latter part of the book. I especially love how the narrator does Altair's voice, it's just perfect and def made him my fav character. The beginning is very slow and not even just because of world building, just like...nothing happens? for a while. Once the quest actually begins the story does pick up and then probably the final half of the book things really get more interesting with the introduction of additional characters, and their interplay/relationships/camaraderie building. By the end I didn't want to put it down, but the ending did feel a bit abrupt. And for that reason I feel like I have to continue reading the series because nothing is resolved at all.
Some romance: enemies to lovers, pretty slow burn (it's YA) 0-1/5 spiceonly a kiss . This is not the main focus of the plot.
I did find the history of the world (the 6 sisters, how magic works) a bit confusing, but I think it's intentionally donesince so much is revealed about who characters are and their relationships as the story progresses.
I likely wouldn't have rated it at 4 stars if I hadn't done the audiobook, but kudos to the publisher for getting great narrators! I'll definitely be doing book 2 on audio also.
I listened to only the audiobook for the first ~25% and then finished the rest in one day by doing a combo of audiobook + reading a physical copy (the first time I've done that which I did enjoy). That first 25% was pretty slow going only on audiobook, and I definitely made use of the author/book's website to look up the map and the terminology/characters many many times as I was quite confused with what words meant (wish these were in the physical book for easy reference, idk how people get through without it).
The narrators (one for each MC POV) were fantastic - and I definitely think it added to the drama and action/pacing of the latter part of the book. I especially love how the narrator does Altair's voice, it's just perfect and def made him my fav character. The beginning is very slow and not even just because of world building, just like...nothing happens? for a while. Once the quest actually begins the story does pick up and then probably the final half of the book things really get more interesting with the introduction of additional characters, and their interplay/relationships/camaraderie building. By the end I didn't want to put it down, but the ending did feel a bit abrupt. And for that reason I feel like I have to continue reading the series because nothing is resolved at all.
Some romance: enemies to lovers, pretty slow burn (it's YA) 0-1/5 spice
I did find the history of the world (the 6 sisters, how magic works) a bit confusing, but I think it's intentionally done
I likely wouldn't have rated it at 4 stars if I hadn't done the audiobook, but kudos to the publisher for getting great narrators! I'll definitely be doing book 2 on audio also.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Minor: Child death and Injury/Injury detail
esme_t's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Child death