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dreyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
ladybeldaran's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.75
This is a fantastic book. The first part goes a bit slow as the world and the characters are being set up for us, but once the plot picks up, I couldn't put the book down until I finished it (no, really, I kept taking little breaks at work, I stayed up way too late, etc.).
One thing I loved about this book is that the setting - which is otherwise brutal and filled with oppression, is completely queernormative & gender equal. Additionally, though the world is highly stratified according to a blood-based caste system that is an allegory for racial inequities in our own world, there is no anti-blackness in this book. All of the characters are Black, and you'll find no negative language about features associated with Black-ness at all. It just goes to show that you can engage with real-life oppression without re-traumatizing those suffering from those systems of oppression - I have a lot of respect for el-Arifi for managing this.
The characters are fascinating, and we continue to learn more about them and their pasts, while exploring the ways in which they are changing and responding to the events of the book. You'll find multi-faceted characters here. Both of our main characters have their flaws, but I was invested in them from the beginning. There's a surprising amount of mystery in the book, which I think is handled better than average for an epic fantasy book.
I think el-Arifi manages to juggle the personal stories extremely well with the epic, sweeping political events taking place, and this reinforces the book's core message about inequities - that the personal IS political. The setting is fascinating - we don't get to see much in the first book, which takes place almost exclusively in the city we start in, and I'm excited to (hopefully) see more in the second book.
In short, the moment I finished this book, I decided I couldn't wait for my library to receive the recently published second installment and went out and bought it myself. (And I'll still check it out when my library gets it, because this author deserves the circulation!)
One thing I loved about this book is that the setting - which is otherwise brutal and filled with oppression, is completely queernormative & gender equal. Additionally, though the world is highly stratified according to a blood-based caste system that is an allegory for racial inequities in our own world, there is no anti-blackness in this book. All of the characters are Black, and you'll find no negative language about features associated with Black-ness at all. It just goes to show that you can engage with real-life oppression without re-traumatizing those suffering from those systems of oppression - I have a lot of respect for el-Arifi for managing this.
The characters are fascinating, and we continue to learn more about them and their pasts, while exploring the ways in which they are changing and responding to the events of the book. You'll find multi-faceted characters here. Both of our main characters have their flaws, but I was invested in them from the beginning. There's a surprising amount of mystery in the book, which I think is handled better than average for an epic fantasy book.
I think el-Arifi manages to juggle the personal stories extremely well with the epic, sweeping political events taking place, and this reinforces the book's core message about inequities - that the personal IS political. The setting is fascinating - we don't get to see much in the first book, which takes place almost exclusively in the city we start in, and I'm excited to (hopefully) see more in the second book.
In short, the moment I finished this book, I decided I couldn't wait for my library to receive the recently published second installment and went out and bought it myself. (And I'll still check it out when my library gets it, because this author deserves the circulation!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
moonchild_cos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, and War
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.0
Honestly, when Samantha Shannon blurbs a book, it's a pretty automatic "check it out" for me. Plus, I have been really loving how much more mainstream fantasy/sci-fi inspired by African and Arabian and other non-Western traditions has become (I mean, there's still a long way to go, but progress is good). So, basically, deciding to read this was not a tough call. Of course, with a novel this length (and knowing that it was starting a trilogy that hasn't been fully released yet, which I'm always hesitant about because waiting is hard and I hate cliffhangers), I had to be mentally ready for the undertaking, so there was a delay between purchasing and picking up the novel. But here we are.
The Warden's Empire has a very strict caste system, based on the color of one's blood. Sylah was stolen as a child from her upper class (red-blooded) family home. She was raised by the resistance and intensely trained with the goal of infiltrating the ruling class' tight-fisted rule from the inside. But years ago, her family was brutally murdered and since then, she's been purposeless, just barely finding the will to survive. Anoor has spent years being told by her mother (who happens to also be a high ranking official in the empire) that she is useless, a disappointment, not the child her mother wanted (secretly blue-blooded). When Sylah and Anoor meet, they find connection in their goals, their need to make a mark and prove their worth, if not their understanding of or experience with the world. And over time, they realize their experiences as outsiders in their own way(s) may have left them with more in common, and a greater emotional connection, than they'd thought. Alongside their unfolding story, we meet Hassa, one of the translucent-blooded serving class, whose hands and tongue were cut off like all her people's have been for generations. Hiding her people's many secrets, and working to lead them towards their own goals to take down and escape from the Warden's rule, she joins her knowledge and forces with Sylah and Anoor. Working together, from their different skill sets and angles, these three women may be able to bring on the power shifts and revolutionary changes they've all long dreamt of.
For the first few chapters of this novel, I was super hesitant. The world-building felt basic and easy, and while I totally understand that all the best fantasy worlds are conceptually built upon the familiar (which are very uniform in their "powerful people taking advantage of other people in imperialistic ways"), it was the writing of it too. I feel like there is a way to make the familiar compelling, and not "expected." The point being, the beginning had me feeling unsure about how this would stand up to the hype. However, thankfully, it turns out that it was just the set-up at the start that felt that way (which is perhaps in part due to the debut nature of this novel - that sort of rudimentary communication of the fundamentals of the world, as opposed to a more sophisticated interweaving of those world-building details with early character and plot development). Also of note, as with all reviews, this is just my opinion, so others may not have felt the same about the opening. But in any case, I'm thrilled to report that after those first few chapters, the intricacies of the world, a nuanced and compelling character development, and a settling-in to the pacing and plot unfolding, picked up and had me fully invested.
And let me just take an extra moment to say how much I appreciated that nuance and intricacy in the central characters and the world they live in. I was so impressed by how El-Arifi built each of their motivations because, as with all people (and especially for these characters within this story), their relationships and loyalties and emotions and choices are complex. Like, are your ties with blood or those you grew up around, and who is better placed to disrupt a system (and is it even possible to fully do that from only one angle)? Like, how can you simultaneously be jealous of what should have been yours and fight to tear down the systems that created it in the first place? Like, while there are absolutely those who bear a greater blame/role, is there ever anyone who is not, in some way, part of the problem...and can therefore be part of the situation, in their own way? The look at how class structures are not black and white - or red/blue/clear, as it were - yet there is some sweeping privilege that must be recognized, regardless of other characteristics, is thorough and necessary. And oooooof, overall what a commentary on the dangers of misunderstandings/assumptions that come with enforced separations amongst different peoples (as a concerted effort of those in power to retain said power it's horribly parallel to "real life" and, as much, carries important messages to readers). But anyways, basically this is all to say that I *loved* the way the Anoor, Hassa and Sylah developed separately and intertwined. Their growth was paced in a believable way and their emotional struggles (both in connecting and in not wanting to connect) felt genuine in both its difficulty and depth. I cannot wait to see where they each go from here and in what ways they come back together...or not.
Plot-wise, this novel delivered as well. There was a building of tension and stakes consistently from beginning to end, with the structure of the trials as a great way to have smaller builds/releases within the greater context. It's not a totally original set-up, for sure, but it was well-executed. And while I was cautious about how it would play out, really hoping for it to be realistic (within this world, obviously), I was pleased with how El-Arifi unfolded it all without anything too "easy" as far as plot devices. Also, alongside the main plotline of the trials, there were a number of smaller stories unfolding, many related to the ruthless violence and lying as a basis for this society/empire. The foreshadowing of how those lies coming to light will upend everything from the current system *as well as* the fight to bring that system down built well in and around the primary plot line. Finally, there were quite a few reveals at the end (and while some definitely weren't a surprise, some were unexpected), and I loved that they have me fully invested in where everything goes from here, BUT with enough of a wrap that I, a natural born hater of overdramatic cliffhangers (like seriously, if you write a story well enough, I will want to know what happens next without the need for all the characters to be left in a precarious and doomed situation) am happy with it.
So basically, this is a really high quality opening to a new fantasy trilogy with lots of action, great character development of an awesome trio of female leads (I'm totally here for this type of complicated-strong heroine-dominated story - give me *all* of that), new (to me) and wonderful cultural inspiration on well-loved fantasy tropes, and a set-up for a story that I really want to know the rest of.
“Love gives you strength, but retribution gives you purpose.”
“How nice it is to be so blinded by your own riches that you can't see whose back your home is built upon.”
“When money is everything, everything is for sale.”
“His eyes crinkled with the wisdom of other people’s stories.” (What a description for educators/librarians, so much love!)
“We cannot reclaim what’s ours without help from those who oppress us.”
“If we forget the individual, we forget ourselves.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
_james_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Excrement, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
The Final Strife- 3.5⭐️ 3🌶️
Red is the blood of the elite, of magic, of control.
Blue is the blood of the poor, of workers, of the resistance.
Clear is the blood of the slaves, of the crushed, of the invisible.
Sylah dreams of days growing up in the resistance, being told she would spark a revolution that would free the empire from the red-blooded ruling classes’ tyranny. That spark was extinguished the day she watched her family murdered before her eyes.
Anoor has been told she’s nothing, no one, a disappointment, by the only person who matters: her mother, the most powerful ruler in the empire. But when Sylah and Anoor meet, a fire burns between them that could consume the kingdom—and their hearts.
Hassa moves through the world unseen by upper classes, so she knows what it means to be invisible. But invisibility has its uses: It can hide the most dangerous of secrets, secrets that can reignite a revolution. And when she joins forces with Sylah and Anoor, together these grains of sand will become a storm.
As the empire begins a set of trials of combat and skill designed to find its new leaders, the stage is set for blood to flow, power to shift, and cities to burn
✨My Opinion✨
Slow burn
Slow burn
Sapphic
Missed legacy
Classism
Revolution
Slow paced
Switched at birth
Grumpy sunshine
Rivals to lovers
It was a good read, but not mind blowing. I am happy with continuing the series, but not desperate for the next book.
The backstory and world building was expansive and very thorough. I was amazed by how in depth everything went. It was really well done. The magic system was unique in its introduction. I’m looking forward to reading more about it.
It was slow going for the first half of the book. The plot finally getting traction didn’t make up for the lulls, in my opinion.
It was slow going for the first half of the book. The plot finally getting traction didn’t make up for the lulls, in my opinion.
I was a little put out with things being mentioned multiple times before being physically described, case in point; Erus. I didn’t even realize it was a giant sand lizard until it was being ridden when Sylah delivering the dresses… I thought it was like a camel or donkey. I still don’t have a clear mental picture of what it looks like, or how it pulls a carriage!
The main characters could have been flushed out a little more. Sylah was very hard to like. Really hard. Most of the book is her dealing with addiction and grief. Her personality beyond that was pretty petulant. Anoor was childish as well, but I would have enjoyed a more solid arc into her maturity. I often forgot that I was reading new adult rather than young adult, until the in the story spice happened.
Disability rep, but only because of mass mutilation as infants. Brutal, but I guess I understand how it plays into the plot. Hassa was a great character that wasn’t explored more until the second half of the book, and even then seemingly as a throwaway addition. Her story line was more compelling than the main one, by far!
I wish that the trials would have been more prevalent in the story telling. They felt really important in leading up to them, then glossed over when we finally got to them. It would have been great character building to see them more thoroughly through Anoor’s eyes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Colonisation
gagereadsstuff's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Torture, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Grief
dani_reis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Torture, Death of parent, and Murder
antonique_reads's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Buddy read with Lauren!
This is a spirited adult fantasy about three women trying to find ways of surviving and changing their fates in a world where blood determines social standing. With inventive world-building and a tournament-style plot, this story really takes off at the half way point (though that does mean that the first half is, unfortunately, slow-paced).
Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa are all interesting characters, but Sylah and Anoor frustrated me at the beginning with their complete lack of interest in anything around them (Sylah) and entitled, naïve outlook on life (Anoor). They did, however, develop and grow significantly throughout the book, making it satisfying to see how far they'd come in the closing chapters. The romance also drew me in, but I just wanted to see more of it! Hopefully we'll get that in book two, though.
This is a spirited adult fantasy about three women trying to find ways of surviving and changing their fates in a world where blood determines social standing. With inventive world-building and a tournament-style plot, this story really takes off at the half way point (though that does mean that the first half is, unfortunately, slow-paced).
Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa are all interesting characters, but Sylah and Anoor frustrated me at the beginning with their complete lack of interest in anything around them (Sylah) and entitled, naïve outlook on life (Anoor). They did, however, develop and grow significantly throughout the book, making it satisfying to see how far they'd come in the closing chapters. The romance also drew me in, but I just wanted to see more of it! Hopefully we'll get that in book two, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism