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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this book for the most part, especially the first half. I was drawn in by the sci-fantasy premise and the promise of a self-assured and powerful firebending princess. However, as the novel went on, I gradually lost interest, particularly after the reveal of Yassen's motivations. Maybe I just didn't read close enough, but it was so jarring to have been in his POV for so long and not have any inclination that he was still working for the Arohassin and plotted to kill Elena . It wasn't a believable enough twist because Yassen kept that information from the reader; it would have been more successful if either 1) we didn't have his POV, or 2) we knew his motivations from the beginning to flesh out his character and further bolster the tension and slow-burn romance between him and Elena.
As far as Elena is concerned, this was another example of a "badass FMC losing her badassery and all 'ruthless' parts of her personality because Hot Guy ™ showed up." Elena spends all this time saying she'll be whatever kind of queen necessary, and the moment she learns who is responsible for1) the death of her father, 2) the seizing of her rightful throne, 3) the destruction of her palace, and 4) the mistreatment of her people she has a moment of anger and then is like, "You know what? That's not actually a dealbreaker for me. Plus you're hot." I would have rooted for their romance if Yassen had not known/been a part of all that happened, but the fact that he was directly involved is irredeemable to me, regardless of what her father was responsible for. Their romance felt shoehorned in, especially considering the bizarre pacing of the last fifth of the novel or so and the tragic losses Elena has suffered. Why would she fall for the man responsible, even if in part, for so much destruction and tragedy? Is she 16 or 25?
Another point of contention for me is this running theme of the "badass FMC" being allowed to win by the obviously more powerful and strong and skilled male characters, repeatedly. In every scene where Elena fights Yassen and he lets her win, it doesn't read as chivalrous or insight into his true feelings for her but a very frustrating contradiction of her strength and prowess. The scene where shefinally pummels him for his responsibility for the death of her father he just lets it happen because he feels bad, I guess? The novel repeats over and over that Elena is badass and skilled and strong, and while I get that Yassen is a trained assassin, his allowance of her to hurt him without consequence undermines her skill and abilities and makes her seem more like a princess throwing a tantrum than a fully grown woman who is rightfully angry and is trained in some of the most deadly martial arts.
Regarding Elena's father, the fact that she forgives him instantly forcold-blooded murder was dissatisfying. After she learned what her father had done, I saw two possibilities for her character: either abhor his actions and refuse to forgive him, or acknowledge that he "did what he had to do" and be just as ruthless herself. It seemed like she forgave him and moved on from the seriousness of his crimes for plot reasons, which also happened earlier, when the high priestess told Elena what her father had done. Elena is all confused, the priestess is taken away, and then Elena immediately moves on from the situation and doesn't think, "Maybe I should look into this serious accusation against my father." Y'know, because of the murder .
Finally, when it comes to the worldbuilding, I was so excited to see it work, but it ended up being more underwhelmed than anything. I liked the fact that it was a sci-fantasy (an underrated genre) but it felt far more fantasy than sci-fi. The firebending part didn't feel cohesive with the neon lights and hovertrains and pod-communicators, almost like they were superficial to check off the boxes of "sci-fi conventions." I never felt confident in my understanding of the world, perhaps the technology didn't feel completely integrated. The sci-fi elements felt like they were only mentioned because of plot reasons rather than to enrich the worldbuilding and make it believable. The book didn't quite commit to the sci-fi of it all, and so the worldbuilding feels flat.
This was Avatar: The Last Airbender in another universe (Firelord Ozai King Leo searches for the Avatar Prophet while war wages on the horizon). The only difference is that while Elena thought she was cruel and ruthless, Azula actually was.
As far as Elena is concerned, this was another example of a "badass FMC losing her badassery and all 'ruthless' parts of her personality because Hot Guy ™ showed up." Elena spends all this time saying she'll be whatever kind of queen necessary, and the moment she learns who is responsible for
Another point of contention for me is this running theme of the "badass FMC" being allowed to win by the obviously more powerful and strong and skilled male characters, repeatedly. In every scene where Elena fights Yassen and he lets her win, it doesn't read as chivalrous or insight into his true feelings for her but a very frustrating contradiction of her strength and prowess. The scene where she
Regarding Elena's father, the fact that she forgives him instantly for
Finally, when it comes to the worldbuilding, I was so excited to see it work, but it ended up being more underwhelmed than anything. I liked the fact that it was a sci-fantasy (an underrated genre) but it felt far more fantasy than sci-fi. The firebending part didn't feel cohesive with the neon lights and hovertrains and pod-communicators, almost like they were superficial to check off the boxes of "sci-fi conventions." I never felt confident in my understanding of the world, perhaps the technology didn't feel completely integrated. The sci-fi elements felt like they were only mentioned because of plot reasons rather than to enrich the worldbuilding and make it believable. The book didn't quite commit to the sci-fi of it all, and so the worldbuilding feels flat.
This was Avatar: The Last Airbender in another universe (
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, War
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a book, and I read it.
I did settle into a nice rhythm in the middle of the book, when it seemed like things were moving along and we had a plot. But the first and third acts were slow, and I never really 'clicked' with Elena and Yassen's POVs. Leo's POV had the most motivation and plot throughout the book by far.
This book would have been a lot better with more time spent on the whats and whys of the novel. Like, what is a skorrir bush or molorian tree? I have no clue. Who are Ravence's trade partners? How does the city make it's money? Where is the food grown? They have champagne - from where?
Overall, this was a fairly easy read that had some enjoyable moments. I'm not against reading the sequel, but I'm not likely to pick it up.
I did settle into a nice rhythm in the middle of the book, when it seemed like things were moving along and we had a plot. But the first and third acts were slow, and I never really 'clicked' with Elena and Yassen's POVs. Leo's POV had the most motivation and plot throughout the book by far.
This book would have been a lot better with more time spent on the whats and whys of the novel. Like, what is a skorrir bush or molorian tree? I have no clue. Who are Ravence's trade partners? How does the city make it's money? Where is the food grown? They have champagne - from where?
Overall, this was a fairly easy read that had some enjoyable moments. I'm not against reading the sequel, but I'm not likely to pick it up.
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
It took me longer than I expected to get into this book. Every time the pace would pick up for me, it would slow back down again. I did end up finally getting into it about halfway through and was invested in the characters. The story was definitely well written and I wasn’t able to predict the plot twists. I can’t tell where it will go in the next book either. I look forward to reading the second book!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Really good book however I almost DNF’d it because it was literal slow in the beginning, and toooo political . I’m fine with reading fantasy book with politics cause a lot of them have it but my gawd. This was overbearing, I saw it through though because it’s suppose to be like protagonist doing like evil things…. But she really didn’t do that’s like she had her bad ass moments but like not enough to like suck me in….. I will read the second book but ima need improvement or ima DNF THE next one.