Scan barcode
betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
4.0
The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.
When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.
- - - - -
Rating: 4.25/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: unique world-building; this read had me snared from the start; intriguing, complex, strong characters; just a few confusing plot points; vampires of a different, unique calibre; the story is easy to sink into; I meant to only read 50% of this today, but finished it without realizing!; entertaining, snarky, and full of awesome
(Soundtrack Insert: Battle Scars, by Paradise Fears)
Goodness, guys. I meant to only read a small portion of this today...and found myself flipping frantically through the pages until the very end!
“Clearly,” the Ghost says, leaning forward and pushing a platter of fruit towards me, “you came for the pineapple.”
I can't help the laugh that bursts from my lips. Shaking my head, I drop into a chair and reach for the platter. Pineapple is the one food I never pass up. “Absolutely. Justice served with a side of pineapple. That's what I'm here for.”
This was a wild, enthralling read from start to finish—and it's a short read, so you KNOW I was dying for more even as the end was fast approaching! The prose is gorgeous; melodic, atmospheric, with just a hint of the poetic to set the tone and carry the mood throughout. There are a number of confusing moments, mostly surrounding certain plot points. For instance, near the end of the novel, our MC loses her memories...but I wasn't aware of this until it had been pointed out by another character. I feel that in these moments, the abstract writing was a bit heavier than it should have been—it complicated what might have easily been explained by the narrator, instead of relying upon dialogue to get the point across.
(Soundtrack Insert: Devour, by Shinedown)
(Soundtrack Insert: Bullet with Butterfly Wings, by The Smashing Pumpkins)
There are also, obviously, a LOT of huge questions concerning the world-building. While we get a fair amount, not everything is explained at surface-level; instead, readers are left to figure things out on their own or from reading between the lines. Certain answers we, as readers, might expect to come easily are not revealed until much later in the read than expected. There are a bunch of different creatures contained in these pages, though it's not explained clearly WHY they exist or how they all get along. We are told (only after the first half has gone by!) that this takes place in an “Elven Kingdom” of sorts, and that there are other worlds/portals...but we're not told much more than that. There are obviously pretty high tensions between the different races/species...but again, we don't exactly know why, or what these tensions are, unless a character goes out of their way to explain it.
In the darkness, someone holds a cup of water to my lips. I drink greedily, swallowing great gulps until it reaches my stomach, and then I am retching up coals and ash. What is left after a fire? The burnt out skeleton of what was, a few charred remains. Nothing that can hold water.
However—don't let this stop you from picking up the read! This story ensnares you from the start, and keeps you churning pages until the very end. The action scenes are fast-paced and entertaining. The characters LEAP to life before your eyes. The snark is on-point: full of flair, drama, and awesome. I found myself smirking each time our MC got herself into a pickle, knowing the snark would be clever and cutting despite the danger of her situation. Also, a few of the characters surprised me. One, in particular, took an unexpectedly gentle turn...and left me wondering just what his role will be in book two.
(Soundtrack Insert: Losing Your Memory, by Ryan Star)
This novella was a fun, quick read, and I can't wait to dive into the second book to find out what fates await our cast of characters. Does Hitomi find her memories? Learn just what sort of magic she possesses? Find her way home to family and friends? I don't know—but I'm anxious to find out! I highly recommend this to lovers of fantasy, action/adventure, and vibrant, colorful world-building. Also: vampires! Because they exist in this world, but...not quite in the ways you might expect.
bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed how this book fed us worldbuilding information as we needed it instead of using any info dumps. I also really appreciated that the book had some darker moments and themes (one example: betrayal) without turning bleak or grim. It kept a generally positive outlook even when things seemed dark for Hitomi. This was a very fun read, and I'm glad I picked it up. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
Additional CW:bluejaybooks's review against another edition
I enjoyed the atmosphere and magic system introduced in this story, but ultimately thought it was too short for me to become entirely immersed in the story. However, this is not unusual for novellas.
zober's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Enjoyable! Would have loved a little more worldbuilding though, about the world generally and the magic. Who has magic? What types of magic are there? What can magic do/what are its boundaries? More generally, there's a taste of political intrigue, but only insofar as it sets the plot in motion. Other than that, I know very little about the world.
I'll definitely read the next one, and I'm excited to see where the story goes!
I'll definitely read the next one, and I'm excited to see where the story goes!
rebeccazh's review against another edition
4.0
02/09/16 reread this in preparation for [b:Memories of Ash|17969479|Memories of Ash (The Sunbolt Chronicles, #2)|Intisar Khanani|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1458218563s/17969479.jpg|25187905]. Sunbolt is so good. The writing is refreshing, the world-building intriguing and detailed, the pace is good, and the characters are believable and likable. I like Hitomi a lot. Val is intriguing -- hope he appears in the next book.
marvelruinedmyspirit's review against another edition
3.25
The plot went in a completely different direction than I expected, which isn't bad, but very surprising. Overall it was a nice time, though nowhere nearly as good Mrs. Khanani's other works.
peanutfor15yrs's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
rhrie38's review against another edition
5.0
Okay so this is literally the best thing I've ever read. After so many disappointing novels this has single handedly restored my faith in the YA genre. I've already read the second book and am now eagerly awaiting the third.. . Thank you Intisar Khanani for making this book public!
jesslynh's review
5.0
I don't know why more people are not talking about this author. She is absolutely wonderful and her writing has a purity that is refreshing.
This book was quite good, but way, way too short. I need it to be one of those 10 pound, over 1000 page tomes of epic fantasy. I look forward to more installments and will preorder every one. I'm off to see what else she's written. I am her newest fan.
This book was quite good, but way, way too short. I need it to be one of those 10 pound, over 1000 page tomes of epic fantasy. I look forward to more installments and will preorder every one. I'm off to see what else she's written. I am her newest fan.