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courtnoodles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Gore, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Confinement, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Body horror and Abandonment
sarahpittalwala's review against another edition
3.0
This is a diverse book full of strong-headed characters. It tackles so many curveballs and journeys. A good old tale about a prophecy, an evil king and a chosen one. I have a blog where I write book reviews and have written one for 'Hunted By The Sky' as well. Here's the link!
https://awritmuchcoin.wordpress.com/2020/12/11/review-hunted-by-the-sky-by-tanaz-bhathena/
https://awritmuchcoin.wordpress.com/2020/12/11/review-hunted-by-the-sky-by-tanaz-bhathena/
torobear84's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
smpearce's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great read! 3.5/5 stars
I really loved the world-building here, the culture and settings were super immersive and fun to read. I thought the plot was intriguing and it definitely kept me turning the pages! I was eager to find out more about the royal structures and follow Gul as she infiltrated them.
There were a lot of things I loved about this book, from the main character histories to some of the awesome minor characters. I’d love to see more about Kali, Amar, and Malti in the next book!
However, despite finding Cavas’ situation/motive interesting, I didn’t really connect with him as character much, and I preferred Gul’s POV. I didn’t find him very distinct voice-wise or personality-wise.
I also wasn’t a big fan of the romance. Now, I have to add a disclaimer that I’m really not into destiny/soulmate type romances, so this probably wouldn’t have appealed to me anyways. I just found it to be kind of unnecessary and jammed in for the sake of having a romantic subplot. I couldn’t really see much in the way of chemistry or emotional connection between them, and the subplot felt like a hindrance at times.
Overall Hunted By the Sky was a great read and I highly recommend checking it out! Though some parts drew me in less, the plot and world-building kept me turning the pages quickly!
I really loved the world-building here, the culture and settings were super immersive and fun to read. I thought the plot was intriguing and it definitely kept me turning the pages! I was eager to find out more about the royal structures and follow Gul as she infiltrated them.
There were a lot of things I loved about this book, from the main character histories to some of the awesome minor characters. I’d love to see more about Kali, Amar, and Malti in the next book!
However, despite finding Cavas’ situation/motive interesting, I didn’t really connect with him as character much, and I preferred Gul’s POV. I didn’t find him very distinct voice-wise or personality-wise.
I also wasn’t a big fan of the romance. Now, I have to add a disclaimer that I’m really not into destiny/soulmate type romances, so this probably wouldn’t have appealed to me anyways. I just found it to be kind of unnecessary and jammed in for the sake of having a romantic subplot. I couldn’t really see much in the way of chemistry or emotional connection between them, and the subplot felt like a hindrance at times.
Overall Hunted By the Sky was a great read and I highly recommend checking it out! Though some parts drew me in less, the plot and world-building kept me turning the pages quickly!
missprint_'s review against another edition
3.0
"Every heart holds a warrior. Some are born, some are made, while some choose to never take up arms. What you are and who you will become will be entirely up to you."
Born with a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, Gul could be the subject of a prophecy that predicts the downfall of King Lohar of Ambar. That's enough for Gul to be hunted along with every other girl with such a birthmark. Never mind that Gul can barely control the immense magic she supposedly to possesses.
After years of hiding, King Lohar's soldiers finally find Gul and her parents. Gul escapes, her parents do not.
Grieving and desperate for a way to get revenge against the king and the soldier who pulled the trigger, Gul throws in with the Sisters of the Golden Lotus--women who offer her shelter, protection and, most importantly, training in warrior magic.
Cavas has never had magic. If he had, he could afford his ailing father's medicine without selling secrets. More importantly, his father might not be sick in the first place. But those are wishes Cavas knows better than to entertain. Joining the military might be a way out--a way to survive. But that path isn't without its own dangers.
Thrown together in the heart of Ambar, Gul and Cavas are immediately drawn to each other even as they find themselves in a world filled with dangerous secrets that could change everything for both the kingdom and themselves in Hunted by the Sky (2020) by Tanaz Bhatena.
Find it on Bookshop.
Hunted by the Sky is the nail-biting start to Bhatena's Wrath of Ambar series and her first foray into fantasy in a world inspired by medieval India. The story alternates between first person chapters narrated by Gul and Cavas.
Bhatena presents a richly detailed world filled with magic, mystery, and dangerous inequalities with non-magical humans living in poverty while at the mercy of the magical upper class's whims. Because of that, much of this world is steeped in violence or the threat of it in the form of casual brutality as well as sexual violence leveraged as a threat to both male and female characters.
Gul and Cavas are angry protagonists, frustrated by their circumstances and looking for an escape. Neither of them expect to find each other in the midst of these much larger concerns let alone to have their paths align in surprising moments of connection.
Hunted by the Sky is an intense, fast-paced story filled with surprising twists, a unique magic system, and truly memorable characters. Recommended for readers looking for their next non-western set fantasy obsession.
Possible Pairings: The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad, Mirage by Somaiya Daud, Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey, Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee, The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
Born with a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, Gul could be the subject of a prophecy that predicts the downfall of King Lohar of Ambar. That's enough for Gul to be hunted along with every other girl with such a birthmark. Never mind that Gul can barely control the immense magic she supposedly to possesses.
After years of hiding, King Lohar's soldiers finally find Gul and her parents. Gul escapes, her parents do not.
Grieving and desperate for a way to get revenge against the king and the soldier who pulled the trigger, Gul throws in with the Sisters of the Golden Lotus--women who offer her shelter, protection and, most importantly, training in warrior magic.
Cavas has never had magic. If he had, he could afford his ailing father's medicine without selling secrets. More importantly, his father might not be sick in the first place. But those are wishes Cavas knows better than to entertain. Joining the military might be a way out--a way to survive. But that path isn't without its own dangers.
Thrown together in the heart of Ambar, Gul and Cavas are immediately drawn to each other even as they find themselves in a world filled with dangerous secrets that could change everything for both the kingdom and themselves in Hunted by the Sky (2020) by Tanaz Bhatena.
Find it on Bookshop.
Hunted by the Sky is the nail-biting start to Bhatena's Wrath of Ambar series and her first foray into fantasy in a world inspired by medieval India. The story alternates between first person chapters narrated by Gul and Cavas.
Bhatena presents a richly detailed world filled with magic, mystery, and dangerous inequalities with non-magical humans living in poverty while at the mercy of the magical upper class's whims. Because of that, much of this world is steeped in violence or the threat of it in the form of casual brutality as well as sexual violence leveraged as a threat to both male and female characters.
Gul and Cavas are angry protagonists, frustrated by their circumstances and looking for an escape. Neither of them expect to find each other in the midst of these much larger concerns let alone to have their paths align in surprising moments of connection.
Hunted by the Sky is an intense, fast-paced story filled with surprising twists, a unique magic system, and truly memorable characters. Recommended for readers looking for their next non-western set fantasy obsession.
Possible Pairings: The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad, Mirage by Somaiya Daud, Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey, Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee, The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
alliewithbooks's review against another edition
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
2.0
beasleysbooks's review against another edition
I didn’t realize I’ve read another book by this author, but now I can pinpoint why this wasn’t grabbing me. The writing style is too disengaged from the characters’ feelings. It was telling me what was happening without showing me.
fantasticcan1475's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Bullying
Minor: Sexual violence, War, and Gaslighting
variavale's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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? Yes
3.5
As I read with other reviews, the first half of the book is bogged down by way too much exposition to the point it was consistently happening throughout dialogue. It made for a difficult time getting into it despite a stellar opening chapter. However, halfway through the book the pace picks up and the story really shines. The setting was beautiful and a nice change from the typical medieval England based setting. The side characters were the most interesting ones, IMO. I would have loved a book based on Kali or with the prince as the LI instead of Cavas. Overall, HBTS is an enjoyable read once the author breaks away from the heavy world-building. I loved the diversity of the cast and hope to see more from her in the future.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Classism, and Rape