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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
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:
No
This book was so good. First, I was enamored with the characters, then I fell in love with the world. The plot was great, a bit predictable in some places but more in a satisfying "i knew it!" kinda way. Loved the writing and I really appreciated that all the references/inspiration for the characters was listed at the end.
This was a fun read! I liked Ekon more than Koffi. I think he was a bit more real and human. Adiah's story was interesting but almost superfluous in my opinion. I thought it was obvious in the prologue scene what had happened and everything else from the scenes is told to you by someone else when they are putting everything into context. I had a difficult time understanding the magic system but it isn't used much so maybe that will come in the next book.
Lastly, this book ends on a definite cliffhanger and I hate that although it wasn't exactly like leaving off mid-book. The hunt for the Shetani was definitely concluded. But Book 2 essentially starts at the end of this book - not just a teaser of where this may be going, not an "oh no, what could happen?" but a definite start of the next book. I will probably still read book 2 because I enjoyed this one but I'll be a little sore at that point.
Lastly, this book ends on a definite cliffhanger and I hate that although it wasn't exactly like leaving off mid-book. The hunt for the Shetani was definitely concluded. But Book 2 essentially starts at the end of this book - not just a teaser of where this may be going, not an "oh no, what could happen?" but a definite start of the next book. I will probably still read book 2 because I enjoyed this one but I'll be a little sore at that point.
adventurous
lighthearted
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
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
This was a solid fantasy book! It’s not my favorite however I absolutely ADORED the characters. The humor and banter between Kofi and Ekon was amazing and I fell more in love with them and their adventures through that. The plot was decent and I enjoyed the twists and turns but I was in it more for the characters.
What I did like is that I’m noticing a similar concept of “borrowing” magic from fantasy worlds. First I read it in Legendborn and now in this. I would have to do more research but I know based in Legendborn this is because of the culture that the character is born from. The difference between taking and borrowing is good and not something I’m familiar with as a lot of fantasy that I have been introduced to has been written by white people with white characters. Something to look into for sure (and if anyone knows anything please let me know!)
My biggest complaint is I read the audiobook and I wasn’t a fan of the voice for Adiah. Kofi and Ekon were AMAZING but I got annoyed by the different voices that the Adiah narrator uses. Everyone besides Adidah was nasally and annoying??? It rubbed me the wrong way, beside that I really really enjoyed the audiobook. Definitely give it a listen!
What I did like is that I’m noticing a similar concept of “borrowing” magic from fantasy worlds. First I read it in Legendborn and now in this. I would have to do more research but I know based in Legendborn this is because of the culture that the character is born from. The difference between taking and borrowing is good and not something I’m familiar with as a lot of fantasy that I have been introduced to has been written by white people with white characters. Something to look into for sure (and if anyone knows anything please let me know!)
My biggest complaint is I read the audiobook and I wasn’t a fan of the voice for Adiah. Kofi and Ekon were AMAZING but I got annoyed by the different voices that the Adiah narrator uses. Everyone besides Adidah was nasally and annoying??? It rubbed me the wrong way, beside that I really really enjoyed the audiobook. Definitely give it a listen!
I didn't like how the pov switched and it was a little slow
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book surprised me with how much I loved it and how quickly I read the book. Some books read quickly but lack depth. Other books have the depth but that depth slows down the reading of it. This book combines both perfectly. Gray imbues her two main characters with such complexity by showing not telling (my preference.) I also loved the intrigue that the unexpected third point of view weaves into the narrative. I'm so glad that I already have the sequel as an ARC.
3.75 Star Rating
This was a pretty fun book to read and I really loved the setting that Ayana Gray brought to life in this story. The characters introduced were lovely and it was a satisfying journey of two unlikely companions with an interesting magic system and lore. I did find that at times the story/pacing felt drawn-out and I had to take breaks while reading but overall I've really enjoyed the world and characters established in this book and look forward to reading the sequel!
This was a pretty fun book to read and I really loved the setting that Ayana Gray brought to life in this story. The characters introduced were lovely and it was a satisfying journey of two unlikely companions with an interesting magic system and lore. I did find that at times the story/pacing felt drawn-out and I had to take breaks while reading but overall I've really enjoyed the world and characters established in this book and look forward to reading the sequel!
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes