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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This was not as good as I was expecting but I still enjoyed it. The start of this book was very slow as there was a lot of world building. The plot seemed quite confusing and it went in a direction that I was not expecting. The pacing did pick up towards the end but I feel that the ending was a bit rushed and was just building the story up for the next book.
I really liked the characters in this book especially the main character Amani. She was a strong, determined character and I really liked her. The relationship between Jin and Amani seemed a bit forced and I would have perhaps liked to have seen them as friends in this book and maybe have it progress in the future books. Their relationship just feels a bit awkward at the moment.
I am interested to see where the story will go so I will pick up the second book when it comes out.
I really liked the characters in this book especially the main character Amani. She was a strong, determined character and I really liked her. The relationship between Jin and Amani seemed a bit forced and I would have perhaps liked to have seen them as friends in this book and maybe have it progress in the future books. Their relationship just feels a bit awkward at the moment.
I am interested to see where the story will go so I will pick up the second book when it comes out.
While at first I was a little dismayed that this was yet another YA book where the female protag kicks ass with some kind of weaponry or martial art (guns in her case), because I'm tired of violent/physical-conflict-centric plots, etc etc, I had to admit it fit the storytelling style, which is essentially that of a Western. Mixed with Middle-Eastern-ish desert fantasy features. And it did all that really well. I was pulled in and wanted to see where the story went, which is really the most important metric on judging a book.
I also liked that our protag's character flaw was being smart-mouthed. I can relate. And that turned out to have a tie-in to a later revelation, which also turned the gun-aptitude thing on its head, making it actually something that had been holding her back all this time, so, yes. I have respect for that twist.
Being the romantic sap I am, I would have liked a little MORE romance actually, but I did love the dynamic between the two here. They're a good match.
I also liked that our protag's character flaw was being smart-mouthed. I can relate. And that turned out to have a tie-in to a later revelation, which also turned the gun-aptitude thing on its head, making it actually something that had been holding her back all this time, so, yes. I have respect for that twist.
Being the romantic sap I am, I would have liked a little MORE romance actually, but I did love the dynamic between the two here. They're a good match.
This book was.. something. I enjoyed the characters and the story, but I found myself lost in a world that seemed to be half of an american western. I struggled with that a lot.
It's your typical "girl-discovers-hidden-lineage, joins-rebellion, is-the-spark-the-rebellion-needed" story. It took me a while to really care about these characters. But I got there in the end and was satisfied with the story.
It's your typical "girl-discovers-hidden-lineage, joins-rebellion, is-the-spark-the-rebellion-needed" story. It took me a while to really care about these characters. But I got there in the end and was satisfied with the story.
This is a good, light, YA fantasy series. My favorite part was the world, with the sands and the elements of magic and especially the different cultures of the characters. It feels like a world you could go visit, and I enjoyed the characters. I appreciated that the world and the characters and the romance was what it was, with no unfortunate tropes or unnecessary drama thrown in, I'll be adding the second book to my tbr.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really tried to make it through this one. I managed just over halfway through. It's got a lot of elements that I like (Westerns, road trips, adventure) but for me it just didn't come together.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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:
Complicated
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes