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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“To be forgiven, one must be burned.”
this book is marketed solely as a fantasy/sci-fi when in reality is a dense political drama with religious overtones. in fact, the fantasy and sci-fi elements often took the backseat in my enjoyment of the book because i was so wrapped up in the world-building. the emphasis religion and how it is weaponized is this book’s strongest asset, in my opinion. the entire plot centers around religion and it’s credibility, and it’s very well crafted.
“if we carry the burdens of our fathers, then we’ll never know what it means to be free.”
i liked all the characters, but i think leo’s characterization was by far the most captivating. i only docked this a star because the pacing was all over the place and it at times felt slow. overall though, any cons i had are outweighed by the surprise i felt at some of the twists and my love for the world of ravence.
this book is marketed solely as a fantasy/sci-fi when in reality is a dense political drama with religious overtones. in fact, the fantasy and sci-fi elements often took the backseat in my enjoyment of the book because i was so wrapped up in the world-building. the emphasis religion and how it is weaponized is this book’s strongest asset, in my opinion. the entire plot centers around religion and it’s credibility, and it’s very well crafted.
“if we carry the burdens of our fathers, then we’ll never know what it means to be free.”
i liked all the characters, but i think leo’s characterization was by far the most captivating. i only docked this a star because the pacing was all over the place and it at times felt slow. overall though, any cons i had are outweighed by the surprise i felt at some of the twists and my love for the world of ravence.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
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 is a departure from what I normally read. I loved the fire bending element the author described in her socials promoting the book; it is a homage to the Avatar The Last Airbender series. Her blend of that element along with Indian culture created vivid imagery as I read. To borrow Verma's words, this is a blend of Dune and Game of Thrones, not exactly knowing whose angle is what with the various political machinations involved.
While most books I am used to reading are dual POVs, we are afforded a third POV through the lens of Elena's father and current ruler, Leo. What I really loved about this character and his development throughout the story was that we can't really categorize him as "villain" or "hero"; he is a conflicted ruler who knows what is at stake when he lets his daughter take over as ruler, yet is determined to ensure the mistakes he made as ruler do not befall his own daughter. The moment I came across this kind of humanity in him waswhen Leo came up upon Elena dancing and for a moment, just a moment, we saw his guard lowered just a little so we can see he is still just a man, and a father at that, that is trying to keep his daughter safe . Inversely, him doing whatever it took to save his empire and his daughter, to the point of burning a young girl alive due to the prophecy we are reminded that things are not simply black and white.
I really can't wait to read the sequel, The Burning Queen, to see if Elena will, like her father, do whatever it took to keep her empire safe and become whatever it is that is needed to ensure her, and her people, endure.
While most books I am used to reading are dual POVs, we are afforded a third POV through the lens of Elena's father and current ruler, Leo. What I really loved about this character and his development throughout the story was that we can't really categorize him as "villain" or "hero"; he is a conflicted ruler who knows what is at stake when he lets his daughter take over as ruler, yet is determined to ensure the mistakes he made as ruler do not befall his own daughter. The moment I came across this kind of humanity in him was
I really can't wait to read the sequel, The Burning Queen, to see if Elena will, like her father, do whatever it took to keep her empire safe and become whatever it is that is needed to ensure her, and her people, endure.
Really enjoyed. Beautiful, gorgeous world that's moved by compelling prose. While's there's often musch to learn and see because of rich details and tight sentences there's never a slowing down in pace. The plot is compelling without needing to rely on unnecessary action scenes or unearned romance beats instead weaving action, character work, romance and more in a great mix.
The characters are all strong and I loved them. Elena of course who I think has so many layers to her and I'm excited to see how this deep desire to be queen pushes up against her moral compass. Yassen, my shayla, I love a regretful soldier and Yassen delivers for sure. Leo, the man doesn't do anything right and I love him for it. It's also an interesting look at violence because Leo is not unknowing in fact him and everyine around him is like what are you doing but he persist because he fills it's his duty and not only is it interesting to see in this novel I'm excited to see how it manifests for Elena. And of course Samson. Who does not have a perspective but is able to loom large on the page through everyone else's POV. Playing the guessing game of who he told the truth and who he lied to was fun throughout the whole thing.
If I had one thought is that there were times when I think some relationships needed a bit more work Yassen/Elena were very sweet and I believed them for most of the novel. However, when they came up against a major problem, I wasn't so convinced in their relationship that it ever felt real that they overcame it.
The characters are all strong and I loved them. Elena of course who I think has so many layers to her and I'm excited to see how this deep desire to be queen pushes up against her moral compass. Yassen, my shayla, I love a regretful soldier and Yassen delivers for sure. Leo, the man doesn't do anything right and I love him for it. It's also an interesting look at violence because Leo is not unknowing in fact him and everyine around him is like what are you doing but he persist because he fills it's his duty and not only is it interesting to see in this novel I'm excited to see how it manifests for Elena. And of course Samson. Who does not have a perspective but is able to loom large on the page through everyone else's POV. Playing the guessing game of who he told the truth and who he lied to was fun throughout the whole thing.
If I had one thought is that there were times when I think some relationships needed a bit more work Yassen/Elena were very sweet and I believed them for most of the novel. However, when they came up against a major problem, I wasn't so convinced in their relationship that it ever felt real that they overcame it.
A slow burn of a story with expert and careful character/landscape development that ends with an explosive tease. I can’t wait for the next book!
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No