Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - We Hunt the Flame

I read this book SO QUICKLY. I started reading this book because I'm in the DAY (Dear Asian Youth) Book Club but then I ended up reading this book at a pace I used to read at.

For one thing, the double-life aspect. I'm a sucker for double lives. I absolutely adored the worldbuilding too.

I'm astonished on how the KulsumxNasir part was handled. Although it was like the cheating trope in a way, in this context, it just made sense. After all, can you really blame Kulsum for not falling in love with a person like Nasir? The reveal didn't feel forced in any way and felt natural.

I did have some qualms. For example, I didn't like that the reveal of the Hunter's identity was revealed so quickly in one chapter.

Also, the fact that each time the unveiling of the Demenhune Hunter's real gender was spontaneous each time? At the same time, I do like that Zafira wasn't afraid of revealing that she was a woman who took on traditionally masculine tasks.

Reviewers have probably complained about how they couldn't take Zafira or Nasir seriously as the Hunter or Prince of Death. However (if this is the case) I think they're missing the point. I believe that was the author's intention. Zafira and Nasir may have these intimidating roles and personas, but what this book shows is that those personas do not tell the full story of who they actually are.

Favorite Quotes:

Paranoia had a way of visiting when he was least desired.

Darkness had seized his mind, whispers and half-crazed screams echoing in his ears when his fingers passed over the inscriptions in the ancient tongue. It was a darkness wrought with pain, a darkness that could never end.
It was a darkness that despaired in itself.

Maybe the tiny lions were merely ornaments, a display of pride for the victory over a man who defied men, only to be slain by women.

In this moment, we are two souls, marooned.
That was life, wasn't it? A collection of moments, a menagerie of people. Everyone stranded everywhere, always. ⭐️

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charmingreads's review

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

4.0

okay, so, i just finished this book. at like 2 in the morning. it’s great! the characters are really well developed and interesting! altair is by far my favorite character. i love his personality and humor. the plot twists were nice too! i only guessed two of them and even then they were still surprising! i definitely recommend this book if you like slow-burn enemies to lovers, fantasy, and a diverse cast of characters!!

age rating: 15+

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ssuummeerrn's review

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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

3.75

This book took me a while to read. I was not into it at first, but that’s on me because I do find the beginning of fantasy books boring. I totally understand the need for the extensive world building and explaining a magic system. However, for me, that part isn’t enjoyable and it takes me forever to read! I also felt like it was a little bit long for this book.

With that being said, I read Act 3 in 1 day! The ending was super exciting! It had many plot twists, and everyone knows that I love plot twists more than anything! The long explanation at the beginning was totally worth it for that last 100 pages!!

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readingelli's review

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adventurous 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

5.0

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internalnonsense's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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

3.0

If you prioritize the big and epic over subtle and intricate, this YA adventure romance is for you. It is about brooding, emotional characters falling in love, empowering themselves, and saving the world with a sweeping fantasy backdrop.

This book is written with a lot of passion, I think, but it is very overwritten. Initially, I didn't mind, and even learned a few creative uses for the term 'feathered'. By the end, I was lost in the purple. There is so much consistent intensity that the characters become hard to engage with or take seriously. If you start at 10, you can only go up to 11 and so on. Considering the story follows angsty teenagers, this isn't necessarily bad, but I can't say I enjoyed it.

Act One starts strong, setting the stage of a well-realized, if a little simplistic, fantasy world, where the characters have clear motivations, strengths, and flaws. There's a lot of potential for conflict to get you excited. Act Two begins to stumble, letting the plot loosen in favor of character angst and banter. It sets a poor stage for Act Three, where a lot of things happen, but without any solid sense of direction or momentum. It is mostly held together by the emotional toils of the two main characters. If you're thoroughly invested in them, the final arc of the book will probably land. If you're more like me and getting lost in the 'now this is happening', it starts to become tedious.

Overall, it's a good story if you're carried by the epic feelings, not so much if you're invested in tight writing.

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cloudedsun's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0

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