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abby_can_read's review
- 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 was a great book. I had a wonderful time reading it. I liked the worldbuilding and the lore. I'm excited to learn more about the magic system. I had a good time with the slow burn, enemies-to-lovers relationship that is building between Sylvia and Arin.
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Genocide
Moderate: War, Child abuse, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
quiet_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Sexual violence, Rape, Pedophilia, War, Sexual assault, and Colonisation
meat_muffin's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Abandonment, Confinement, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Self harm, Torture, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Blood, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Incest, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, War, and Violence
Minor: Addiction and Animal cruelty
ayvie's review against another edition
- 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
I'm unsure about the romance. I am having complicated feelings about it and need to let those stew a bit. Coming back to this - I honestly wish the romantic elements hadn't been involved at all in this book. It felt uncomfortable and a lot of it is outside my lane to really delve into. I do think the groundwork is laid for something here, and I'm unsure where it's going to lead (and honestly, I'd be happy if it led to no romance at all).
It felt like the point should have been discomfort and I'm unsure if that was entirely what was portrayed.
Graphic: Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Body horror, Torture, War, Murder, Xenophobia, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Colonisation
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
This book has a lot of violence depicted in its pages, but it never felt gratuitous. There's a ton of trauma (specifically explored for Sylvia). The child abuse, sexual assault, and rape are mentions regarding a secondary character.jamby4546's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder and Physical abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
bookswithbethx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Confinement, Death of parent, Torture, Sexual violence, Slavery, Murder, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Child abuse, Colonisation, Genocide, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Drug use, Violence, Vomit, and War
onthesamepage's review against another edition
- 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
“There is no such thing as a worthy sacrifice. There are only those who die, and those willing to let them.”
This is an Arab Spring/Egyptian-inspired fantasy by an Egyptian Muslim hijabi author. I am 2.5 of those things (only half Egyptian, in case you're wondering), so this review is probably going to be at least a little bit biased.
For example, even though this is set in a fantasy world with made up countries, the language is Arabic. I don't think I can describe the sheer joy of understanding every single word (except "suraira" for some reason, but I'm sure that's on me, and that made it more fun anyway). Now, I am also honest enough to admit that if this was a different book, for example European-inspired, and the language was Latin, I would have issues with it, because I would consider it kind of lazy worldbuilding. But it's my language, and I've never seen it in a fantasy book before, so basically, I don't care. I loved it. Also, all the mentions of familiar food made me instantly want to travel to Egypt just to eat.
There are a lot of mysteries within this book, and by the end of it, I was left with more questions than answers. But the central piece of it is the relationship between Sylvia and Arin. If you're looking for an actual, high stakes enemies to lovers romance, I would definitely check this out. It's very slow burn, which is the only way I can buy into that trope, but by the time their relationship hit its stride, I was so invested that every scene had me clutching my e-reader with "will they won't they" tension. That's exactly what I want from a romance, and the author absolutely delivered.
It also helps that I actually like both characters. Sylvia is a Chosen One in the sense that she's the heir to a kingdom that no longer exists, and whose people are being murdered, but she doesn't want to be. She doesn't want to feel anything for other Jasadis, or carry the responsibility of their lives and future on her shoulders. To her, nothing is more important than her own survival, and the further you get in the story, the more you understand why she grew up to be the way she is. But even though she's very careful, she's also a hothead with a "fuck it" attitude that I really loved. Arin, meanwhile, is someone who takes his responsibilities very seriously. My first impression of him was that, despite everything Sylvia tells us about him, his actions show that he has a sense of honor. But that doesn't mean he isn't guilty of hunting down people just because they have magic, even if they have never used it to hurt anyone. I think both characters definitely grow as a result of having to deal with each other.
Even though we spend a lot of time watching the relationship between our main characters develop, that doesn't mean the fantasy elements aren't well done. The magic system is pretty simple, but the secrets surrounding Sylvia and Arin were really compelling. There are deadly trials, magical creatures, the constant danger of Sylvia being discovered, political machinations, and so much more. This is a very strong start to the series, and I can't wait to see what the sequel brings. The only reason this isn't a full five stars is because it starts off a bit slow and takes a while to really get going. But I think this might be one that could be 5 stars on reread.
Graphic: Genocide and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
dragoninwinterfell's review
- 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
The protagonist, Sylvia, is a morally grey heroine with a tragic past filled with loss and abuse. Having lost her family and status as a princess during a war, she lives as a commoner, hiding her identity as well as her restrained magic. I really loved the complexity of Sylvia's character and following her through each difficult choice and harsh revelation from her past. She felt very real.
While I'm not usually a fan of enemies to lovers romances, the dynamic between Sylvia and Arin is the best example I've seen of the trope. They are natural enemies as he is the son of the man who overthrew her family and the way their relationship progresses is authentic.
I'm really looking forward to the next installment of this series.
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Police brutality, Violence, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and War
soniajoy98's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Classism, Cursing, Torture, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Incest, Rape, Child death, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and War