Scan barcode
spinesinaline's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.5
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC!
This was a fun take on the Prince and the Pauper story with added fantasy (snake magic!) and great immersion in Indian culture that feels expertly descriptive without removing us from the story.
There was some awkward and repetitive phrasing and dialogue so it wasn’t a perfect story but I felt the voices of these twins was so distinct (though I got them confused when they’re together in chapters). There were also parts of the mystery that weren’t as smooth, with the bad guy feeling very ‘villain in movie reveals entire plot’ and many points connected out of the blue by the characters as the readers didn’t have enough hints to figure it out yet.
I wasn’t thrilled to learn it’s a series as I’m a standalone reader usually but it wasn’t a significant cliffhanger and still felt like its own ending so I’m glad that this book feels wrapped up in itself while still leaving the door open for future adventures.
This was a fun take on the Prince and the Pauper story with added fantasy (snake magic!) and great immersion in Indian culture that feels expertly descriptive without removing us from the story.
There was some awkward and repetitive phrasing and dialogue so it wasn’t a perfect story but I felt the voices of these twins was so distinct (though I got them confused when they’re together in chapters). There were also parts of the mystery that weren’t as smooth, with the bad guy feeling very ‘villain in movie reveals entire plot’ and many points connected out of the blue by the characters as the readers didn’t have enough hints to figure it out yet.
I wasn’t thrilled to learn it’s a series as I’m a standalone reader usually but it wasn’t a significant cliffhanger and still felt like its own ending so I’m glad that this book feels wrapped up in itself while still leaving the door open for future adventures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, and Torture
Minor: War
More...