Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

36 reviews

nettleviolet's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

I wanted to love this book. It had all the elements to make something truly amazing: themes of climate disruption, colonialism, racism, a queer love story, trials to compete in, written by an amazing Black woman. Unfortunately, the story-telling really fell short for me. 

There were a lot of good things about this book: the magic system was really interesting, the depiction of addiction was very true to life and the ways that the main character turned to addiction to cope with the immense stress of the intensely oppressed life she is facing feels very real. I really liked the mythology and the mystery that was explored about it. 

However, the main premise of the book, that the "chosen one" has missed her opportunity and now must train a princess in her place, feels very unbelievable and left the plot feeling very predictable. It also came with very strange pacing  -- we spend chapters building up to trials, mostly in training sessions, and then the trials themselves, the "big thing", take one chapter alone, and are often over in a couple of pages. And I found the outcome of the trials completely unrealistic, within the world. 

Lastly, there are three main characters: Sylah, Anoor and Hassa, and we learn very little about Hassa whose storyline and character definitely felt the most interesting. Her story, and the story of her people, is the thing that will keep me reading this series. I'm hoping that, with the trials over, the series will continue to build on the world mythos and politics more, which is definitely very enticing. 

Overall, this is not a bad book. It just had SO much potential and I feel it didn't live up to much of it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Torture, Police brutality, and Alcohol

Moderate: Self harm, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder

Minor: Rape

solenekeleroux's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, and Alcohol

likeanecho's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

Bello bello 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Slavery, Blood, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Racism, Torture, Police brutality, and Alcohol

Minor: Child death, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail

burstofhope's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement and Drug use

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Alcohol

Minor: Ableism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism

carochacord's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Blood

Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, War, and Classism

Minor: Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Colonisation

zoda_pop's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark inspiring 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

5.0

One of the most phenomenal fantasy books I've read. Perfect for fans of The Jasmine Throne!

This book is extremely dark, gritty, and compelling. A lush fantasy world set in an oppressive society, with a divulgence into class, family, addiction, grief, systemic oppression, and so much more. 

The main characters journey is one filled with extremely dark nights and despair, but transforms into one of hope and utter resilience. From the personal growth, relationships with others, and the stand for justice; this story highlights the power of recovery, support systems, and belief in oneself.

The main character was born into the highest class of citizens but was switched at birth and raised in poverty and oppression by that class. In an effort to reach a position of power as was her predecessor's goal, she must battle her own inner demons, make alliances, and set out on her predestined journey in an unexpected way.

This book was original from the very beginning. There were intriguing representations of disability, gender, and sexuality that were thought-provoking; especially as a disabled queer person myself. The characterizations and representation were just one part of many that made this story so gripping. Every voice was unique, every motivation made sense by the end, and every relationship was incredibly well-crafted. The care woven into this story all the way from the lore, setting, and magic is abundantly clear and these pages are spilling with passion.

I can't recommend this book enough. It's insightful and extremely gritty while also being fun, funny, and loving at parts. The heroine went from being pretty unlikable to one of my favorite characters in the span of this book and it was extremely entertaining to read. I can't wait to see what is next for Saara El-Arifi! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcohol

Minor: Death of parent