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erinsbookshelves's review
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Torture, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Blood
scorpioness's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Blood and Child death
katsbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
"There is a certain beauty in chaos, magnificence in the uncontrollable."
"We hunt the flame, the light in the darkness, the good this world deserves."
"A life without purpose may be no life, but a life without love is nothing but existence."
Review:
Overall, I felt like this was an amazing debut novel. The world was immersive and really exciting. The world was heavily influenced by Arabic language and culture which I loved. It took a hot minute for me to really get into the story but once I did, I really enjoyed it! I loved the class of good and evil and the ragtag gang of characters on an adventure. (I freaking love Altair!) I really enjoyed the romance for the most part. Sometimes, it got a little cringey but I think that has more to do with me not being the intended audience instead of poor writing. (I suppose thats bound to happen when you read Young Adult novels as an adult.) Because, truly, the writing was beautiful. It was lyrical and poetical while not taking itself too seriously. There were some zingers and humorous dialoge thrown around without jarring me out of the story. Ultimately, I'm very much looking forward to reading the second installment in this duology!
"We hunt the flame, the light in the darkness, the good this world deserves."
"A life without purpose may be no life, but a life without love is nothing but existence."
Review:
Overall, I felt like this was an amazing debut novel. The world was immersive and really exciting. The world was heavily influenced by Arabic language and culture which I loved. It took a hot minute for me to really get into the story but once I did, I really enjoyed it! I loved the class of good and evil and the ragtag gang of characters on an adventure. (I freaking love Altair!) I really enjoyed the romance for the most part. Sometimes, it got a little cringey but I think that has more to do with me not being the intended audience instead of poor writing. (I suppose thats bound to happen when you read Young Adult novels as an adult.) Because, truly, the writing was beautiful. It was lyrical and poetical while not taking itself too seriously. There were some zingers and humorous dialoge thrown around without jarring me out of the story. Ultimately, I'm very much looking forward to reading the second installment in this duology!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexism
cereads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Blood, Violence, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Child abuse
melaniereadsbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
4.5
My original review for this was cringy so I'm rewriting after a reread!
I love this book! The world building (based on ancient Arabia) is so rich and vivid. I love the information we learn about the caliphates and how they are ruled, understood, and how magic (and it's disappearance) affect the people.
Zafira is an amazing MC! She is badass but also soft and flawed. She is seeking acceptance from her people and learning to be proud of who she is.
Nasir is also so amazing. Perfect brooding bad boy with a heart of gold. The slow burn enemies to lovers romance is completely to die for!
The supporting cast of characters are probably the best part of this book! There are so many great ones- from Yasmine, to Altair, to Benyamin, and beyond. The villains are complex and original.
Overall, I really love this book!
I love this book! The world building (based on ancient Arabia) is so rich and vivid. I love the information we learn about the caliphates and how they are ruled, understood, and how magic (and it's disappearance) affect the people.
Zafira is an amazing MC! She is badass but also soft and flawed. She is seeking acceptance from her people and learning to be proud of who she is.
Nasir is also so amazing. Perfect brooding bad boy with a heart of gold. The slow burn enemies to lovers romance is completely to die for!
The supporting cast of characters are probably the best part of this book! There are so many great ones- from Yasmine, to Altair, to Benyamin, and beyond. The villains are complex and original.
Overall, I really love this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
leannj's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Unfortunately this book and I were not meant to be😢
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Misogyny, and Death
Minor: Blood
brynn_books's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
This book was so good! Hafsah Faizal is a genius and now I will read anything she writes. I’m really intrigued about the characters and the worldbuilding. I need to hurry up and read the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Grief, Death, Gore, and Violence
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