Scan barcode
msimmons1229's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the plot of this book! Not a huge fantasy girlie but this one definitely got my attention! Only complaint is the forced romance kind of felt like it was not needed. So excited to read the next one!!
weemzy's review against another edition
4.0
OH MY. Okay, so I started off not too sure about the theme. It felt a bit same-y to me with the 'young poor girl needs to save her country' theme and I was looking for something different. I had just finished reading the Victoria Aveyard's 'Glass Sword' and was feeling a bit crippled over that so understandably I wanted something to take my mind off this whole genre.
So I set this book aside and read some Agatha Christie books, lol.
Once I came back, I was so fully engrossed! I loved it. I love it, still. It was amazing! It IS amazing!
I really enjoyed the family bonds that played through this book. The way Tomi wrote this really helped bring me in and feel things and understand the pain of everyone's past and bring home who they are as people. The multi-perspective take really helped carry through this successful aspect.
The character development happened like BAM, BAM, BAM, EVERYONE GETS DEVELOPMENT! I felt as if I was swiftly following all the characters and not just Zelie the big girl hero. Don't get me wrong, Zelie's amazing but I'm totally one of those girls who were running after Tzain at the maji camp party.
INAN WAS JUST CONFUSED. HE DIED CONFUSED!! Or maybe it was his plan all along to do this and maybe his motives never changed? I'm so conflicted right now. I need closure. Except he's dead.
FECK!
So yeah, it was pretty great. Highly recommend. I really would love to see some visuals for the world and the characters because they're honestly stunning in my head. More stunning than I could ever imagine.
So I set this book aside and read some Agatha Christie books, lol.
Once I came back, I was so fully engrossed! I loved it. I love it, still. It was amazing! It IS amazing!
I really enjoyed the family bonds that played through this book. The way Tomi wrote this really helped bring me in and feel things and understand the pain of everyone's past and bring home who they are as people. The multi-perspective take really helped carry through this successful aspect.
The character development happened like BAM, BAM, BAM, EVERYONE GETS DEVELOPMENT! I felt as if I was swiftly following all the characters and not just Zelie the big girl hero. Don't get me wrong, Zelie's amazing but I'm totally one of those girls who were running after Tzain at the maji camp party.
Spoiler
Okay but real tears were shed when Inan saved his father and then got back-stabbed and then Amari, and Zelie's pain, and oh my gosh. Nope.INAN WAS JUST CONFUSED. HE DIED CONFUSED!! Or maybe it was his plan all along to do this and maybe his motives never changed? I'm so conflicted right now. I need closure. Except he's dead.
FECK!
So yeah, it was pretty great. Highly recommend. I really would love to see some visuals for the world and the characters because they're honestly stunning in my head. More stunning than I could ever imagine.
naidrareads's review against another edition
5.0
just read it
this book made me feel allllll the emotions! anger, sadness, pride, hatred, love, etc.
this book and its message it’s so powerful!
if you’ve ever experienced pain in life (we all have), read this book! i found a bit of myself in Zélie, Amari, Tzain, Zuhlaika, etc.
this book will definitely be in my top 3 favorite reads of the year!❤️
this book made me feel allllll the emotions! anger, sadness, pride, hatred, love, etc.
this book and its message it’s so powerful!
if you’ve ever experienced pain in life (we all have), read this book! i found a bit of myself in Zélie, Amari, Tzain, Zuhlaika, etc.
this book will definitely be in my top 3 favorite reads of the year!❤️
erowe749's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
interruptinggirljoke's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
here_goes_books's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining ya fetch quest story with heaps of action, characters, and magic. Wonderful world building with a slightly fleshed out history and lore system. Throw in a silly romance, warrior women, and if I was a teenager this would have been my book.
But IMPO Adeyemi's debut novel centered around preconceived notions we use to separate and hurt ourselves. Small ideas like we are not enough to larger ideologies that may have started innocently that have been warped. Adeyemi beautifully uses her characters to juxtapose these conflicting ideas: the character who could literally read minds who could not make up his own or the warrior cursing themselves while others finally saw them as tough. Add classicism, racism and it's pretty deep.
Her characters also made mistakes. And justifiably doubted the consequences of their actions. Many heroes doubt themselves, but as readers we don't have many snapshots where heroes think beyond themselves in the moment to the unintended consequences of their heroics.
That said: the characters were teenagers/ young adults and I just couldn't deal with some of the intensity of their emotions at times.
Bechdel: Passes in spades
DuVernay: Yup!
Vito: mmmmmayvbe. A character could be read as bi. But until the author says it, it remains up to the reader.
PM: Character is non consensual touched /sexually assaulted. This is something that motivates the character to fight, be angry, volatile, unsympathetic, and closed off. It adds to why they are scared and why a later betrayal of convictions hurts so much worse.
But IMPO Adeyemi's debut novel centered around preconceived notions we use to separate and hurt ourselves. Small ideas like we are not enough to larger ideologies that may have started innocently that have been warped. Adeyemi beautifully uses her characters to juxtapose these conflicting ideas: the character who could literally read minds who could not make up his own or the warrior cursing themselves while others finally saw them as tough. Add classicism, racism and it's pretty deep.
Her characters also made mistakes. And justifiably doubted the consequences of their actions. Many heroes doubt themselves, but as readers we don't have many snapshots where heroes think beyond themselves in the moment to the unintended consequences of their heroics.
That said: the characters were teenagers/ young adults and I just couldn't deal with some of the intensity of their emotions at times.
Bechdel: Passes in spades
DuVernay: Yup!
Vito: mmmmmayvbe. A character could be read as bi. But until the author says it, it remains up to the reader.
PM: Character is non consensual touched /sexually assaulted. This is something that motivates the character to fight, be angry, volatile, unsympathetic, and closed off. It adds to why they are scared and why a later betrayal of convictions hurts so much worse.
sarahbc93_'s review against another edition
4.0
This was a really interesting and captivating read, that I’m really glad I was able to find in my local library!
I’ve seen this book on quite a few lists of books to read, and I’ve always just not felt it, but I’m so pleased I gave it a go! I really liked the idea of magic and how it was outlawed, but I also appreciated how the story didn’t shy away from the brutality of the adults in charge and the legacy left by the royal family.
I’m going to be looking out for any more books in this series!
I’ve seen this book on quite a few lists of books to read, and I’ve always just not felt it, but I’m so pleased I gave it a go! I really liked the idea of magic and how it was outlawed, but I also appreciated how the story didn’t shy away from the brutality of the adults in charge and the legacy left by the royal family.
I’m going to be looking out for any more books in this series!
suziegon's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! This book scratches my fantasy adventure itch while sending a social message with themes of power, prejudice, and injustice. It features TWO female protagonists of colour to boot! The only thing I would have added is a queer romance, but hey, that's minor compared to how good this book is! Can't wait for the sequel!
anakinss_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25