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chelsea_not_chels's review against another edition
5.0
More reviews available at my blog, Beauty and the Bookworm.
Let me begin by telling you a story of my own. Once upon a time, on a spring break not too long ago, my boyfriend contracted appendicitis. We didn't know it was appendicitis, though, rather thinking it was a case of food poisoning brought on by a sketchy breakfast at a Best Western. (I still have not entirely ruled out the possibility that the breakfast was, somehow, involved.) As we thought he would get better in a day or two, we didn't go to the hospital and instead flew six hours home, where he was advised by the CVS Minute Clinic to stay in bed. Ten days later, we were in the ER because he still wasn't better. By this point, all they could really do was put him on heavy antibiotics because his whole abdomen was so inflamed that they couldn't operate. I spent about a week and a half lying on a hospital bed next to him, and during that time I read Intisar Khanani's book Thorn, and it took my breath away.
The boyfriend lived (and, about three months after his appendix ruptured, he finally had it removed) and I fell in love with Khanani's writing. When Sunbolt came out, it was obvious that I had to read it. And I have to say, Khanani has done it again. While significantly shorter than Thorn, Sunbolt is also a thing of beauty, and if you look at its reviews on Goodreads, you can see that pretty much everyone agrees with that. It's very fast-paced, jumping from one event to the next, but it never actually seems "jumpy" or choppy. Everything flows very well. The heroine, Hitomi, is an orphan who possesses magical powers that she has to hide to avoid becoming a slave. She works to help free the island of Karolene from the clutches of a dark mage along with the rest of the League of Shadows, led by the mysterious figure known only as "the Ghost." During an operation to save the lives of a powerful family, Hitomi is captured and begins looking for a way to escape.
Let me tell you, Hitomi has the worst luck when it comes to escape attempts. Every single time she escapes, she gets captured again. Eventually, she is given to one monster and imprisoned with another, and they have to work together to get free. The world is rife with werewolves, vampires, and other non-human creatures, though they are referred to by alternate names. I wasn't sure how this would work out, not being a fan of the werewolf/vampire craze that's swept young adult fiction lately, but this isn't really focused on those aspects. And towards the end, with Val (a creature whose like I haven't encountered before) I was really, really rooting for them. I am dying to see more of Hitomi and Val. I hope he shows up in future books. I wasn't sure that Sunbolt was going to hold up to Thorn, but it definitely did--however, I attribute that more to the second half of the book. The first half, while enjoyable, was not as good as the second. Hitomi's strength and spunk really come through in the second half, and she also has to face the consequences of her actions, which were masterfully handled.
Anyway, Khanani is a fabulous writer, and I can't wait to see more of her work.
5 stars out of 5.
Let me begin by telling you a story of my own. Once upon a time, on a spring break not too long ago, my boyfriend contracted appendicitis. We didn't know it was appendicitis, though, rather thinking it was a case of food poisoning brought on by a sketchy breakfast at a Best Western. (I still have not entirely ruled out the possibility that the breakfast was, somehow, involved.) As we thought he would get better in a day or two, we didn't go to the hospital and instead flew six hours home, where he was advised by the CVS Minute Clinic to stay in bed. Ten days later, we were in the ER because he still wasn't better. By this point, all they could really do was put him on heavy antibiotics because his whole abdomen was so inflamed that they couldn't operate. I spent about a week and a half lying on a hospital bed next to him, and during that time I read Intisar Khanani's book Thorn, and it took my breath away.
The boyfriend lived (and, about three months after his appendix ruptured, he finally had it removed) and I fell in love with Khanani's writing. When Sunbolt came out, it was obvious that I had to read it. And I have to say, Khanani has done it again. While significantly shorter than Thorn, Sunbolt is also a thing of beauty, and if you look at its reviews on Goodreads, you can see that pretty much everyone agrees with that. It's very fast-paced, jumping from one event to the next, but it never actually seems "jumpy" or choppy. Everything flows very well. The heroine, Hitomi, is an orphan who possesses magical powers that she has to hide to avoid becoming a slave. She works to help free the island of Karolene from the clutches of a dark mage along with the rest of the League of Shadows, led by the mysterious figure known only as "the Ghost." During an operation to save the lives of a powerful family, Hitomi is captured and begins looking for a way to escape.
Let me tell you, Hitomi has the worst luck when it comes to escape attempts. Every single time she escapes, she gets captured again. Eventually, she is given to one monster and imprisoned with another, and they have to work together to get free. The world is rife with werewolves, vampires, and other non-human creatures, though they are referred to by alternate names. I wasn't sure how this would work out, not being a fan of the werewolf/vampire craze that's swept young adult fiction lately, but this isn't really focused on those aspects. And towards the end, with Val (a creature whose like I haven't encountered before) I was really, really rooting for them. I am dying to see more of Hitomi and Val. I hope he shows up in future books. I wasn't sure that Sunbolt was going to hold up to Thorn, but it definitely did--however, I attribute that more to the second half of the book. The first half, while enjoyable, was not as good as the second. Hitomi's strength and spunk really come through in the second half, and she also has to face the consequences of her actions, which were masterfully handled.
Anyway, Khanani is a fabulous writer, and I can't wait to see more of her work.
5 stars out of 5.
wonder_jenn's review against another edition
4.0
A good introduction to the series that begs the reader to learn more. The characters are lovable (not the villains obviously) and the world intriguing! It took me some time to get into the story because of how fast I was thrown into it but once that point reached I was flying through the book.
I won't wait too long to read the sequel.
I won't wait too long to read the sequel.
Spoiler
I like the idea of the main character being bald because she's damn right about hair. It also make her unique as we don't see a lot of female MCs with short/no hair.layanneee's review against another edition
2.0
*aggressive sigh*
i’m finished this book, almost unbelievably, and quite frankly there is much to say.
because the first 70% of this book was a star, and the second half was another star. thats to say the second portion was much better than the first.
and unfortunately, i faced a few problems with this book.
firstly, i can’t say i liked ANY of the characters. there was one that i liked, but now he’s gone so oh well. the characters didn’t seem to have personalities or depth, just seemed to be the physical form of their abilities. Hitomi, for one, was a very unlikeable protagonist because, well, we still don’t get a sense of who she is.
as a reader and a writer, i know that its the little things a character does that gives them depth and makes the reader love them. for Val, that was those little wooden statues he carved, but Hitomi had pretty much nothing that made her seem human.
that was my first problem.
my second problem was through the world-building/exposition of information.
when i start a new YA fantasy, im always so excited for the world. because its THAT WORLD where the reader is going to be living with the character for the duration of the story. but unfortunately i still don’t understand the world of the “eleven kingdoms” at all, or the magical systems and creatures that live there.
and that’s a PROBLEM for me because why did i learn what a breather was two seconds before i learned that val was one? or why did fangs only be mentioned when we met kol? it made each new magical component like hitting a wall, because the reader has JUST learned about it and now oh boy there it is.
I must applaud the author, though, for creating such an elaborate system of rebels, both with the shadow league and blackflame, but i just gotta say
who the eff is running the kingdom of karolene??
if blackflame are really such a situation,, why not confront the king??
OOH OOH! or plot an assassination! those are cool!
anyhow i was quite a bit disappointed. i had really enjoyed Thorn and had high hopes for this, but it just didnt hit that note for me.
two stars for Sunbolt, and onto book 2 i guess!!
i’m finished this book, almost unbelievably, and quite frankly there is much to say.
because the first 70% of this book was a star, and the second half was another star. thats to say the second portion was much better than the first.
and unfortunately, i faced a few problems with this book.
firstly, i can’t say i liked ANY of the characters. there was one that i liked, but now he’s gone so oh well. the characters didn’t seem to have personalities or depth, just seemed to be the physical form of their abilities. Hitomi, for one, was a very unlikeable protagonist because, well, we still don’t get a sense of who she is.
as a reader and a writer, i know that its the little things a character does that gives them depth and makes the reader love them. for Val, that was those little wooden statues he carved, but Hitomi had pretty much nothing that made her seem human.
that was my first problem.
my second problem was through the world-building/exposition of information.
when i start a new YA fantasy, im always so excited for the world. because its THAT WORLD where the reader is going to be living with the character for the duration of the story. but unfortunately i still don’t understand the world of the “eleven kingdoms” at all, or the magical systems and creatures that live there.
and that’s a PROBLEM for me because why did i learn what a breather was two seconds before i learned that val was one? or why did fangs only be mentioned when we met kol? it made each new magical component like hitting a wall, because the reader has JUST learned about it and now oh boy there it is.
I must applaud the author, though, for creating such an elaborate system of rebels, both with the shadow league and blackflame, but i just gotta say
who the eff is running the kingdom of karolene??
if blackflame are really such a situation,, why not confront the king??
OOH OOH! or plot an assassination! those are cool!
anyhow i was quite a bit disappointed. i had really enjoyed Thorn and had high hopes for this, but it just didnt hit that note for me.
two stars for Sunbolt, and onto book 2 i guess!!
slc333's review against another edition
4.0
A quick, fast paced read with a sympathetic and likable heroine. This fantasy novella was short but it is a complete story with plenty going on and fully developed characters. I really, really liked Hitomi. She is not perfect and doesn't succeed at everything but she also doesn't give up and does her best to save herself and others around her. Hitomi assists the underground rebellion - the Shadow League - with their fight against the corrupt and powerful mage who is the power behind the the throne and killing everyone who may oppose his power. The League arrange to spirit away one such victim and his family but things don't go according to plan and Hitomi finds herself going from bad to worse it terms of her situation but this takes the story in interesting directions that I would not have predicted based on the beginning. As instead of a battle with the mage, Hitomi finds herself far from home in life-threatening danger making an alliance with an even more dangerous individual for survival. The relationship (friendship not romance) that develops between Tomi and her new ally is awesome and I hope that we see Val in future books. And yes there are future books which is great because while this story is complete in and of itself there is still a lot left unfinished such as what is going on back in Tomi's home, what happened to the children of the family that she rescued and her League friends. And when & how will the evil mage gets his comeuppeance and how exactly does Tomi's mother fit into it all. And I want to know!
mollymortensen's review against another edition
5.0
Possibly the best indie book I’ve ever read! While this novella didn’t feel too short I was left wanting more. It’s a complete story don’t get me wrong, but I want the other books in the series now, okay? Apparently the sequel is going to be a trilogy. Yay!
I can tell a lot of thought went into the world. Karolene is an island nation of traders and an evil arch mage is controlling the sultan. A group is fighting back in the shadows (called the Shadow League) trying to save people. Lead by the mysterious Ghost, a charismatic good looking young man who comes off as the perfect male lead in a young adult book, but surprisingly winds up only a minor character. There are also other species like Fangs (think vampires) Lycans (werewolves) and there’s even a Tanuki! The trickster raccoon dog from Japanese mythology.
There are really only two characters that we spend enough time with to develop, but the minor characters who just made a short appearance were good too. I loved Hitomi! She’s not that great of a fighter but she managed to be strong when it counted. A thief and hidden mage, (called a Promise) she’s lived a tough life, but she’s definitely still a good person. She’s also not stupid either! I really liked the male lead too. There wasn’t a romance, more a potential forbidden friendship. (Which was the best part of the book!) I hope he comes back in the sequels! It’s weird because we don’t learn much about him, yet his character was well established. (Who he was as a person.)
Hitomi doesn’t know a lot about magic (yet) so there isn’t very much, but I really enjoyed what we learned about the magic system. It was a very realistic, well described sort of magic.
Sunbolt is one of those nothing goes as the character expects and they wind up with different goals sort of plots. (But I have a feeling the whole defeat the evil arch mage thing will be the theme of the upcoming sequel trilogy.) As expected of only 142 pages it’s quick paced and I was only wishing they would get on with it at one point. (When Hitomi was ‘borrowing’ a carriage, it was a tad long.)
Needless to say I plan to read the sequel, Memories of Ash which comes out this summer.
Point of View: First (Hitomi)
Predictability: 2 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 10/10 Stars
I can tell a lot of thought went into the world. Karolene is an island nation of traders and an evil arch mage is controlling the sultan. A group is fighting back in the shadows (called the Shadow League) trying to save people. Lead by the mysterious Ghost, a charismatic good looking young man who comes off as the perfect male lead in a young adult book, but surprisingly winds up only a minor character. There are also other species like Fangs (think vampires) Lycans (werewolves) and there’s even a Tanuki! The trickster raccoon dog from Japanese mythology.
There are really only two characters that we spend enough time with to develop, but the minor characters who just made a short appearance were good too. I loved Hitomi! She’s not that great of a fighter but she managed to be strong when it counted. A thief and hidden mage, (called a Promise) she’s lived a tough life, but she’s definitely still a good person. She’s also not stupid either! I really liked the male lead too. There wasn’t a romance, more a potential forbidden friendship. (Which was the best part of the book!) I hope he comes back in the sequels! It’s weird because we don’t learn much about him, yet his character was well established. (Who he was as a person.)
Hitomi doesn’t know a lot about magic (yet) so there isn’t very much, but I really enjoyed what we learned about the magic system. It was a very realistic, well described sort of magic.
Sunbolt is one of those nothing goes as the character expects and they wind up with different goals sort of plots. (But I have a feeling the whole defeat the evil arch mage thing will be the theme of the upcoming sequel trilogy.) As expected of only 142 pages it’s quick paced and I was only wishing they would get on with it at one point. (When Hitomi was ‘borrowing’ a carriage, it was a tad long.)
Needless to say I plan to read the sequel, Memories of Ash which comes out this summer.
Point of View: First (Hitomi)
Predictability: 2 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 10/10 Stars
withherheadinabook's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on my blog, With Her Head in a Book.
Since reading Thorn, I have become a die hard fan of Intisar Khanani. I am always amazed by the worlds I find myself in while reading her books. Each time I pick up one of her books, I finish it the night I begin and immediately beg for more. She’s a masterful writer that will capture your fiction-loving heart instantly.
While I did thoroughly enjoy Sunbolt, it felt like half a novel (perhaps the books I read are just too big). I can see and understand why Intisar Khanani ended where she did - there isn’t anything wrong with where it ended either - but at the same time the story had only just begun! That’s not really an issue, though. Plenty of high-fantasy series use the first book to “set things up,” to allow the reader to fully immerse them self into the world. Once again, Khanani develops a beautiful world of her own with highly intricate cultures and risky political games. There are plain ol’ people, mages, werewolves, fangs (blood suckers), breathers (air suckers), and a whole slew of other paranormal, mythological creatures - all with their own set of issues and prejudices. Though the ending is satisfying, many questions remain to be answered. Also, despite the small page count, the characters are very well developed with distinguishable personalities.
I flipped through the pages like Val blows through enemies. Sunbolt is hands down a fast paced read due to the interweaving of multiple storylines. The rebel forces are attempting to transform the world all while performing heroic acts. Hitomi, who has joined the rebel force, Shadow League, has her own secrets. Not to mention her parent’s secrets, The Blackflames, Val the Breather, and a grand prophecy! A lot is in the works, which may seem overwhelming, but Khanani’s masterful storytelling combines each tale flawlessly, especially considering the book is only 142 pages long.
The guy, Ghost, who you think is going to steal the show & the heart of the leading heroine is not the guy that steals the show. The heart of the leading heroine remains to be her own. Sunbolt is completely lacking in romance and damsels in distress. Hitomi likes who she likes, but has a goal in mind - save her own ass. (I have a strong feeling about who likes her, too! I’m a sucker for romance and can find it anywhere.) As I’ve seen repeatedly in all of her novels, the author loves to takes stereotypes and tropes and turn them on their heads.
Luckily, the second book, Memories of Ash, is set to release May 30, 2016. Currently the pre-order price is only 99 cents and will go up to $3.99 upon release. Intisar Khanani is an author to be watched, someone I often recommend to YA fans. Her leading characters are often POC and have a wide range of personality traits from the vulnerable savior to the resourceful princess. I may not be giving Sunbolt a five stars (mostly due to the size), but I’ll be raving about this book for the next year. In my heart Sunbolt is a perfect score.
An ARC for this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Total: 4/5
Since reading Thorn, I have become a die hard fan of Intisar Khanani. I am always amazed by the worlds I find myself in while reading her books. Each time I pick up one of her books, I finish it the night I begin and immediately beg for more. She’s a masterful writer that will capture your fiction-loving heart instantly.
While I did thoroughly enjoy Sunbolt, it felt like half a novel (perhaps the books I read are just too big). I can see and understand why Intisar Khanani ended where she did - there isn’t anything wrong with where it ended either - but at the same time the story had only just begun! That’s not really an issue, though. Plenty of high-fantasy series use the first book to “set things up,” to allow the reader to fully immerse them self into the world. Once again, Khanani develops a beautiful world of her own with highly intricate cultures and risky political games. There are plain ol’ people, mages, werewolves, fangs (blood suckers), breathers (air suckers), and a whole slew of other paranormal, mythological creatures - all with their own set of issues and prejudices. Though the ending is satisfying, many questions remain to be answered. Also, despite the small page count, the characters are very well developed with distinguishable personalities.
I flipped through the pages like Val blows through enemies. Sunbolt is hands down a fast paced read due to the interweaving of multiple storylines. The rebel forces are attempting to transform the world all while performing heroic acts. Hitomi, who has joined the rebel force, Shadow League, has her own secrets. Not to mention her parent’s secrets, The Blackflames, Val the Breather, and a grand prophecy! A lot is in the works, which may seem overwhelming, but Khanani’s masterful storytelling combines each tale flawlessly, especially considering the book is only 142 pages long.
The guy, Ghost, who you think is going to steal the show & the heart of the leading heroine is not the guy that steals the show. The heart of the leading heroine remains to be her own. Sunbolt is completely lacking in romance and damsels in distress. Hitomi likes who she likes, but has a goal in mind - save her own ass. (I have a strong feeling about who likes her, too! I’m a sucker for romance and can find it anywhere.) As I’ve seen repeatedly in all of her novels, the author loves to takes stereotypes and tropes and turn them on their heads.
Luckily, the second book, Memories of Ash, is set to release May 30, 2016. Currently the pre-order price is only 99 cents and will go up to $3.99 upon release. Intisar Khanani is an author to be watched, someone I often recommend to YA fans. Her leading characters are often POC and have a wide range of personality traits from the vulnerable savior to the resourceful princess. I may not be giving Sunbolt a five stars (mostly due to the size), but I’ll be raving about this book for the next year. In my heart Sunbolt is a perfect score.
An ARC for this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Total: 4/5
barb4ry1's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5/5
While YA books aren't usually my first choice I tend to read them from time to time. It's good to juggle between the genres not to get stuck in one of them.
Sunbolt is a short and well-written book. I'll emphasize short - it's impressive that the author has managed to contain a lot of action and drama in a book under 200 pages. The story doesn't need to have 1000 pages to engage the reader and introduce him to the lore. It's good to know there are authors who appreciate words and use them in an efficient and skillful way.
Fantasy genre often revolves around coming of age arcs and that's precisely what we get in Sunbolt. Hitomi was orphaned at a young age. Her parents were powerful mages who decided to homeschool her in secret. As a result, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude. She's part of 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. Things go sideways and Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges. Survival isn't obvious.
I liked her. She's young and naive but also smart, resilient and loyal. She's willing to challenge stereotypes (about race and customs and history). Her growth is believable. Her magic skills are quite interesting and the way she discovers them engaging.
Secondary characters were given the depth they needed to keep me interested in them. Fangs and Breathers are interesting supernatural creatures with some terrifying powers. We don't learn a lot about their motivations or conflicts but what we're shown suffice to hook the reader without slowing down.
The world-building includes magic, supernatural creatures and sort of political landscape. It's nothing new. On the other hand, it's well served and introduced. One cool thing about the book is a fact it doesn't revolve around romance. Actually, there's no romance. Nada. It feels refreshing as many YA books tend to focus on the matters of the heart.
The plot was interesting but doesn't resolve a lot. I'm interested to read the sequel and see where everything goes.
Overall, Sunbolt is an action-packed and well written YA novel. It's not really innovative, it uses tropes but does it in perfectly readable and entertaining way.
While YA books aren't usually my first choice I tend to read them from time to time. It's good to juggle between the genres not to get stuck in one of them.
Sunbolt is a short and well-written book. I'll emphasize short - it's impressive that the author has managed to contain a lot of action and drama in a book under 200 pages. The story doesn't need to have 1000 pages to engage the reader and introduce him to the lore. It's good to know there are authors who appreciate words and use them in an efficient and skillful way.
Fantasy genre often revolves around coming of age arcs and that's precisely what we get in Sunbolt. Hitomi was orphaned at a young age. Her parents were powerful mages who decided to homeschool her in secret. As a result, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude. She's part of 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. Things go sideways and Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges. Survival isn't obvious.
I liked her. She's young and naive but also smart, resilient and loyal. She's willing to challenge stereotypes (about race and customs and history). Her growth is believable. Her magic skills are quite interesting and the way she discovers them engaging.
Secondary characters were given the depth they needed to keep me interested in them. Fangs and Breathers are interesting supernatural creatures with some terrifying powers. We don't learn a lot about their motivations or conflicts but what we're shown suffice to hook the reader without slowing down.
The world-building includes magic, supernatural creatures and sort of political landscape. It's nothing new. On the other hand, it's well served and introduced. One cool thing about the book is a fact it doesn't revolve around romance. Actually, there's no romance. Nada. It feels refreshing as many YA books tend to focus on the matters of the heart.
The plot was interesting but doesn't resolve a lot. I'm interested to read the sequel and see where everything goes.
Overall, Sunbolt is an action-packed and well written YA novel. It's not really innovative, it uses tropes but does it in perfectly readable and entertaining way.
highcrisis's review against another edition
4.0
I think this was an interesting book. More than 4 stars but less than 5. It felt like the first half (or third) of a book, rather than an entire novel?
I still don't like first person. The world building was interesting - it takes place in somewhere similar to India, and the main character is basically Japanese.
The main character is 15 though so unless there's a 3+ year timeskip in the next one there wont be any romance
I still don't like first person. The world building was interesting - it takes place in somewhere similar to India, and the main character is basically Japanese.
The main character is 15 though so unless there's a 3+ year timeskip in the next one there wont be any romance