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sarah253's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.75
itsfreelancer's review
4.0
This could be a standalone and not book 2. There is no continuation apart from the fact that it's in the same universe. Not to say that this was any less good, but I liked book 1 much more.
Years have passed and this time it's the younger sister of Mehr who carries the torch of their tainted bloodlines while trying to save an Empire forged with the blood of her race.
Years have passed and this time it's the younger sister of Mehr who carries the torch of their tainted bloodlines while trying to save an Empire forged with the blood of her race.
aradhnak's review
5.0
I'll come back with a full review, but I think I have finally broken out of my reading slump because of this beautiful, beautiful book.
*EDITED*
I am still catching my breath over the story. Like with Empire Of Sand. The difference being that this one took me longer to read because I was in a reading slump when I started it and couldn’t actually open the book for a while.
But when I did? Whew. Done in two days, didn’t touch my laptop until I did!
It was the best way to continue what was built in the first novel. The death of the Maha has changed the world and people in power in the Empire are grasping at the past to find answers to fix things. Except they do not have all the answers, and so Arwa finds herself in a position to be useful, she thinks.
Arwa as a character is a little bit the opposite to Mehr. Where Mehr embraced her Amrithi heritage, Arwa has taught herself to hide it, never learning anything and pretending, for all she is worth, to be an Ambhan noblewoman. But beneath all of that, she is angry, and that anger is so reminiscent of Mehr in some ways, and so different in others. Even as her understanding of the world crumbles and is rebuilt around her, she holds on to that anger, and in that anger she finds a strength she did not know.
I love her so much.
And Zahir! Zahir sees himself as nothing but a tool. To survive he needs to be useful, and that is a little like Amun, but then everything else is different. He is smart, so smart, and his relationship with Arwa develops so beautifully. Two seemingly very different people who have to work together and see reflections of the parts of themselves they keep hidden and secret coming together slowly.
It is wonderful, and dark, and the world is broken around them, but there is a thread of hope throughout that carries through right to the end. I loved it so much, and am very emotional.
*EDITED*
I am still catching my breath over the story. Like with Empire Of Sand. The difference being that this one took me longer to read because I was in a reading slump when I started it and couldn’t actually open the book for a while.
But when I did? Whew. Done in two days, didn’t touch my laptop until I did!
It was the best way to continue what was built in the first novel. The death of the Maha has changed the world and people in power in the Empire are grasping at the past to find answers to fix things. Except they do not have all the answers, and so Arwa finds herself in a position to be useful, she thinks.
Arwa as a character is a little bit the opposite to Mehr. Where Mehr embraced her Amrithi heritage, Arwa has taught herself to hide it, never learning anything and pretending, for all she is worth, to be an Ambhan noblewoman. But beneath all of that, she is angry, and that anger is so reminiscent of Mehr in some ways, and so different in others. Even as her understanding of the world crumbles and is rebuilt around her, she holds on to that anger, and in that anger she finds a strength she did not know.
I love her so much.
And Zahir! Zahir sees himself as nothing but a tool. To survive he needs to be useful, and that is a little like Amun, but then everything else is different. He is smart, so smart, and his relationship with Arwa develops so beautifully. Two seemingly very different people who have to work together and see reflections of the parts of themselves they keep hidden and secret coming together slowly.
It is wonderful, and dark, and the world is broken around them, but there is a thread of hope throughout that carries through right to the end. I loved it so much, and am very emotional.
riverlethe's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.0
ddillon154's review
4.0
An interesting and unexpected direction for a second book. No easy bridge plots here. The new characters are intriguing and fully fleshed, even the ones I came to dislike. It would have been interesting to see this as a trilogy, but the two books balance well.
ashirak's review against another edition
adventurous
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
j_milla_04's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
josephine12897's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Another beautiful book by an incredibly talented author. The story is filled with magic, choices, complex characters, and important themes. It was an excellent conclusion to the series and I am so grateful to have read the books.
It was great to see Arwa grow into someone I didn’t expect. She is torn between worlds and her entire arc is about finding the balance between them, and being happy with her. Nothing about her is simple, but I loved seeing the fire in her build as she discovered herself.
She is perfectly paired with Zahir, a clever, studious prince who is just as grateful for her affections as she is for him. I really liked their dynamic and the challenges they faced together.
New elements of the world are explored throughout the story and there is a greater emphasis on political culture and lore. This definitely felt more like a fantasy book than a romance, and I enjoyed all the danger and magic Arwa faced.
The pacing is still slow, compared to other fantasies, but it still felt magical and Suri’s excellent prose and voice made this a joy to read.
There is so much depth, emotion, and meaning to these books. Tasha Suri is definitely a strong voice in the fantasy genre and I will be seeking out more of her books in the future!
Recommended to anyone who loves fantasy romances, complex characters, and unconventional choices!
It was great to see Arwa grow into someone I didn’t expect. She is torn between worlds and her entire arc is about finding the balance between them, and being happy with her. Nothing about her is simple, but I loved seeing the fire in her build as she discovered herself.
She is perfectly paired with Zahir, a clever, studious prince who is just as grateful for her affections as she is for him. I really liked their dynamic and the challenges they faced together.
New elements of the world are explored throughout the story and there is a greater emphasis on political culture and lore. This definitely felt more like a fantasy book than a romance, and I enjoyed all the danger and magic Arwa faced.
The pacing is still slow, compared to other fantasies, but it still felt magical and Suri’s excellent prose and voice made this a joy to read.
There is so much depth, emotion, and meaning to these books. Tasha Suri is definitely a strong voice in the fantasy genre and I will be seeking out more of her books in the future!
Recommended to anyone who loves fantasy romances, complex characters, and unconventional choices!
sydney_arcuri's review
3.0
3/5
I might come back to this later and give it another try, but right now I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book.
I might come back to this later and give it another try, but right now I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book.