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garbutch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Death, and Child death
annorabrady's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Genuinely such a great read. The culture, lore, exposition, and plot are masterfully woven together and the switching perspectives adds to the intrigue and depth. I also appreciate that the closer the characters get, the easier the switches in perspective become. I also appreciate that the seeds of a sequel reach to the beginning of the story, rather than springing up in the last third of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexism, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Police brutality
Minor: Grief, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Self harm, and Death of parent
shoni's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
I personally loved this book. I love a good mythology story and this being Hindu mythology just is a personal love that I need more of. It made me happy to actually read a story where I knew the mythology from growing up on it and hearing it from my family, not something I learned as I was growing up. It also made it interesting when I figured things out just because of the name or so, I was proud of myself. All the subtle references to the culture made me so proud as well.
I did think at times it was a bit repetitive but one way this book is described is as cat-and-mouse and it honestly does give you that. You know that they're gonna chase each other, almost get caught, and then escape. It made it fun and interesting. Plus, I will always support a good enemies-to-lovers plot. Sure, it isn't as intense as others but I was happy with it. I also appreciated that the foreshadowing was done so well. Nothing seems too crazy that you could have come to the conclusion but enough to make you feel shocked when you do find out the truth.
I did really like Esha. I do wish we saw more of her vicious side as the Viper, but it makes sense that when you are on the run you are more focused on surviving than trying to be ruthless. Don't wanna leave a trail of bodies behind when you are trying to blend in, so that does make sense. But I love how she had her path and she didn't let anything or anything change that. Which I appreciated because no boy is gonna get in the way of revenge. this isn't a spoiler but her love for mangoes is honestly the most truest thing. I have not met one Desi girl who doesn't love mangoes. It's in our blood.
Kunal and mine relationship was rocky but he won me over, especially once you got into Esha's POV about him. He's a great character and he does show the struggle of what you believe is right vs what you are taught is right. Nothing is ever that black and white and I love the way Swati wrote it because at the moment you don't think to much about it you ignore it. You go with what you know until something comes to actually have you make a decision. And that was shown in Kunal's character.
I am excited to see where the story goes and I am going to have to get my hands on the second and third books as soon as I can.
I did think at times it was a bit repetitive but one way this book is described is as cat-and-mouse and it honestly does give you that. You know that they're gonna chase each other, almost get caught, and then escape. It made it fun and interesting. Plus, I will always support a good enemies-to-lovers plot. Sure, it isn't as intense as others but I was happy with it. I also appreciated that the foreshadowing was done so well. Nothing seems too crazy that you could have come to the conclusion but enough to make you feel shocked when you do find out the truth.
I did really like Esha. I do wish we saw more of her vicious side as the Viper, but it makes sense that when you are on the run you are more focused on surviving than trying to be ruthless. Don't wanna leave a trail of bodies behind when you are trying to blend in, so that does make sense. But I love how she had her path and she didn't let anything or anything change that. Which I appreciated because no boy is gonna get in the way of revenge.
Kunal and mine relationship was rocky but he won me over, especially once you got into Esha's POV about him. He's a great character and he does show the struggle of what you believe is right vs what you are taught is right. Nothing is ever that black and white and I love the way Swati wrote it because at the moment you don't think to much about it you ignore it. You go with what you know until something comes to actually have you make a decision. And that was shown in Kunal's character.
I am excited to see where the story goes and I am going to have to get my hands on the second and third books as soon as I can.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, and Misogyny
maple_dove's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
This book wasn't what I expected it to be, but that's not always a bad thing. :) But the book did fall a little flat for me by the end.
I think I should be honest, I had a hard time thinking of Esha as this ruthless assassin. Her actions don't really match her notoriety.
The world is beautiful but this book doesn't feel unique (again, not all books have to be unique).
Definitely reading the next book.
I think I should be honest, I had a hard time thinking of Esha as this ruthless assassin. Her actions don't really match her notoriety.
The world is beautiful but this book doesn't feel unique (again, not all books have to be unique).
Definitely reading the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Hate crime, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Death, War, and Blood
Minor: Genocide, Sexual content, and Death of parent
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
If I could sum up this great book in one trope twister: Childhood friends to enemies to lovers. Great for fans of Rebel of the Sands or Flame in the Mist. Definitely plan on continuing to read the trilogy!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, War, Violence, Death, and Murder
rensreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
oh this was absolutely amazing! i was gripped by this story from the very first sentence.
esha was my everything. she was deadly and beautiful with enough of a soft heart to really draw you in and keep you there. im a sucker for a tortured and morally ambiguous mc thought so that was no surprise.
kulan faltered sometimes but his character development was superb. i’m glad he’s able to make his own life decisions now. i hope he keeps making the right decisions and stay true to his choice of sticking by esha. they deserve each other.
4.5 stars from me (:
esha was my everything. she was deadly and beautiful with enough of a soft heart to really draw you in and keep you there. im a sucker for a tortured and morally ambiguous mc thought so that was no surprise.
kulan faltered sometimes but his character development was superb. i’m glad he’s able to make his own life decisions now. i hope he keeps making the right decisions and stay true to his choice of sticking by esha. they deserve each other.
4.5 stars from me (:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Grief, War, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Genocide, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Toxic relationship
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