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b_morganbooks's review against another edition
4.5
I read this in May 23, and although I enjoyed it, I struggled with the world building for some reason. It just wasn’t going in my head. I haven’t read the sequels yet, but it is on my mind a lot so I decided to give it another chance and write notes/annotate. I found it so much more consumable this time around and I’m so glad I decided to try again!
Much like on my first read, the setting is by far my favourite part of the book. I felt like the descriptions were so vivid, they made me feel like I was in the desert (helped by the fact that it’s been a lovely warm weekend). I think the history of the world is so interesting and layered. I’m sure this will only continue to improve in the rest of the series too.
I don’t quite know where the relationships between Nahri and Dara/Ali are going, I can’t work out if they’re both romantic or I’m just hoping for a love triangle. I’ll have to keep going and find out!
Much like on my first read, the setting is by far my favourite part of the book. I felt like the descriptions were so vivid, they made me feel like I was in the desert (helped by the fact that it’s been a lovely warm weekend). I think the history of the world is so interesting and layered. I’m sure this will only continue to improve in the rest of the series too.
I don’t quite know where the relationships between Nahri and Dara/Ali are going, I can’t work out if they’re both romantic or I’m just hoping for a love triangle. I’ll have to keep going and find out!
111enkh111's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
szyszanka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.5
neldel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
tverma1421's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
comet_aj's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
melinda_and_her_books's review against another edition
4.0
The book didn't go the way I was thinking it would but I still loved the story. I just was hoping for more romance. This book was chosen by my book club and I can't wait to discuss it with them this weekend.
yars_reading_corner's review against another edition
5.0
I'm waiting for the day that I read a book by Shannon Chakraborty and wouldn't give it five stars! This book is so genius, so beautifully detailed, and goes into such explanations and cultural aspects that most authors would overlook, even if they come from said culture, there is obviously a lot of Islamic influence on this book and Middle Eastern mythology but it shows that a lot of research has been done to collect so many pieces of info and to form a cohesive plot that isn't just throwing around concepts!
What I really love is that the main characters are not teenagers whose prefrontal cortex has not yet developed, and this was the same case with Amina Al-Sirafi even though she was older, I love that there is so many easter eggs, and references that you would only understand if you have read into the certain mythologies and ancient religions of the Mesopotamia, like the fire worshipers actually being the Zoroastrians, and even the name Daevabad is like Daev-Abad like Islam-Abad in 2 syllables, I could nerd about this book for hours, and not get tired, but I'm just going to tell you to read this if you want to experience a beautiful work of fantasy
What I really love is that the main characters are not teenagers whose prefrontal cortex has not yet developed, and this was the same case with Amina Al-Sirafi even though she was older, I love that there is so many easter eggs, and references that you would only understand if you have read into the certain mythologies and ancient religions of the Mesopotamia, like the fire worshipers actually being the Zoroastrians, and even the name Daevabad is like Daev-Abad like Islam-Abad in 2 syllables, I could nerd about this book for hours, and not get tired, but I'm just going to tell you to read this if you want to experience a beautiful work of fantasy
xsquared's review against another edition
Just not into it. I’m lost on who’s who of the characters.