Scan barcode
risaleel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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: Genocide, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, and War
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, Xenophobia, and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Murder
meg_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a solid fantasy read. I have to be honest, the 3 star rating is partly due to the fact that I don't think I gave this book my full attention throughout my read and felt super distract-able while reading. This is obviously no fault of the book or the story itself but I'm not sure if I can give any different rating as a result.
This was a super well fleshed out fantasy world and I absolutely loved the characters and the way they grow throughout the story. I especially loved getting to see Arin slowly defrost with Sylvia. This is for sure my type of romance subplot because they truly move forward romantically at a glacial pace.
Another element of this story that I really appreciated that I don't think gets fleshed out well in other books is the present day impact of all of the trauma that Sylvia experienced. She has many moments within the story where she has to use grounding techniques to regulate and be able to focus and there are times she experiences flashbacks and overwhelming feelings due to her past trauma. I felt this was all handled really well and written about in a way that actually felt realistic. I really appreciated that this element of Sylvia's past is discussed and described how it impacts her current daily life.
I will absolutely be reading whatever book(s) come next from this author and within this series.
This was a super well fleshed out fantasy world and I absolutely loved the characters and the way they grow throughout the story. I especially loved getting to see Arin slowly defrost with Sylvia. This is for sure my type of romance subplot because they truly move forward romantically at a glacial pace.
Another element of this story that I really appreciated that I don't think gets fleshed out well in other books is the present day impact of all of the trauma that Sylvia experienced. She has many moments within the story where she has to use grounding techniques to regulate and be able to focus and there are times she experiences flashbacks and overwhelming feelings due to her past trauma. I felt this was all handled really well and written about in a way that actually felt realistic. I really appreciated that this element of Sylvia's past is discussed and described how it impacts her current daily life.
I will absolutely be reading whatever book(s) come next from this author and within this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
ayvie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
I literally had trouble putting this book down to read anything else. The MCs were so engaging and interesting and complicated that I could not wait to read more. The fact that neither MC is 100% right in their understanding of their histories is fascinating and interesting. (Though I'd argue that Sylvia's misconceptions are less of an issue because they are the result of her being a victim and not the result of her being an aggressor/policer). They're both having to adjust and learn their misconceptions - some of which they've built their entire lives on.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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.roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.0
Overall I enjoyed this book. I read through it very quickly wanting to know what happened next!
Things that were done well were the pacing and the setup for the ending. There are multiple plot threads to pick up in the next book which could be frustrating for some readers. The key theme of dealing with past trauma and identity after being separated from the foundations of that identity was intriguingly explored throughout.Also, establishing that the MC was an unreliable narrator partway through the story opens up a lot of possibilities going into the next portion of the series.
There were several things that were problematic here with the FMCs relationship with the MMC,including power imbalance and 🚩 behaviors from the MMC. Other reviews have commented on the colonizer/colonized aspect of it as well, which is off-putting. If the MMC goes full villain in the next book this would make much more sense to me, I'd like to assume the author has purposely laid this unsettling foundation. The love story was secondary to the main plot but the banter is where some of the twists and info reveals occurred
Overall the writing was fairly smooth, the story moved along at a fast pace, and I found myself rethinking things that I took at face value initially about the characters and setting throughout as new information was revealed. I'll definitely be picking up the next book to see what happens next. This may change my review here depending on how some of the above issues are handled.
Things that were done well were the pacing and the setup for the ending. There are multiple plot threads to pick up in the next book which could be frustrating for some readers. The key theme of dealing with past trauma and identity after being separated from the foundations of that identity was intriguingly explored throughout.
There were several things that were problematic here with the FMCs relationship with the MMC,
Overall the writing was fairly smooth, the story moved along at a fast pace, and I found myself rethinking things that I took at face value initially about the characters and setting throughout as new information was revealed. I'll definitely be picking up the next book to see what happens next. This may change my review here depending on how some of the above issues are handled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Xenophobia, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, and Colonisation
Moderate: Alcohol, Murder, Mental illness, and Suicide
bkwrm1317's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
Holy wow. I did not expect this from a debut. Hashem is about to be a name on SFF readers’ lips for quite some time to come.
Hashem writes complex, nuanced, real characters who do not easily follow tropes. She also keeps the reader guessing about what turn is coming around the next corner. Quite a page turner, I will definitely be recommending this one far and wide.
Honored that I got to moderate a panel with her on it during 2023 Indie Ink Awards conference.
Hashem writes complex, nuanced, real characters who do not easily follow tropes. She also keeps the reader guessing about what turn is coming around the next corner. Quite a page turner, I will definitely be recommending this one far and wide.
Honored that I got to moderate a panel with her on it during 2023 Indie Ink Awards conference.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual violence
Mild CWs are referenced/referred to briefly, but are not a main component of the story.hailstorm3812's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I will eat my hat if this didn't start as fanfiction, and i could definitely make a few guesses as to what. You can tell with the interesting character relationships and the extremely well written sexual tension, and the front loaded worldbuilding and not at all thought through political ideologies. Girl why are you falling in love with the genocidal white man? He really doesn't grow and change politically in what we see. Yeah he opens up to her and sees her as human but the rest not so much. Which is so frustrating because the author succeeds at making it so so hot. I honestly think a lot could have been solved by making them both POC, which would cause less unsavory allusions which I don't think were intentional. He could still have magical hair. Why is draco here? I'm a little bit with Soraya here. Taking down corrupt monarchs and trying to kill the heir of the country that decimated yours, like she has a point. Ok but moving on I really did like Sylvie, her complex journey, and all of her unwanted connections to loved ones. Her friends, Rory, and Fairel really shine. Dawoud only had one scene but it really hit. Overall I have a lot of qualms with the romance, but I did like it and will probably read the next one. Also like, you are going to write insane amounts of heat, to the point where I, someone who is rooting for the antagonist to kill the love interest, thinks they should fuck, and when they finally act on their feels they only make out for a half a second. Come on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Torture, Death of parent, Death, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Child abuse, Child death, Body horror, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexism
abt804's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book had a VERY slow start for me. The world building included terms without much context so I found myself struggling to understand, I eventually would give up or figure it out with a context clue 100 pages later. Once I got over that hurdle it was SO ENJOYABLE. The world that was built was different than many of the fantasy books I’ve read and I enjoyed the Egyptian lore and culture threaded throughout. The last third of this book FLIES by and leaves you on a bit of a cliffhanger. This is the slowest of slow burns and I cannot wait for book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Pedophilia and War
bookswithbethx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
A huge thank you to the author, and publisher, for giving me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you love N. Caceres and Chelsea Abdullah then you will LOVE Sara Hashem. This book was dark, cruel, and angry. But it was also a beautiful discovery that love is worthwhile, an incredible tale of friendship, and the most delicious slow burn I’ve come across in a while. The authors voice was so strong, the descriptions were so rich, and the world was so fleshed out. And Arin? UGH. YES. Everything about his, please and thank you. And that ending? PHEW!! I blew through it like my eyes were on fire and finishing the book was the fire extinguisher. SO GOOD. I can’t wait for book two!
If you love N. Caceres and Chelsea Abdullah then you will LOVE Sara Hashem. This book was dark, cruel, and angry. But it was also a beautiful discovery that love is worthwhile, an incredible tale of friendship, and the most delicious slow burn I’ve come across in a while. The authors voice was so strong, the descriptions were so rich, and the world was so fleshed out. And Arin? UGH. YES. Everything about his, please and thank you. And that ending? PHEW!! I blew through it like my eyes were on fire and finishing the book was the fire extinguisher. SO GOOD. I can’t wait for book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, War, Blood, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Animal death, Body horror, Classism, Drug use, and Misogyny
martine3's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Child abuse, Blood, Violence, Torture, and Slavery
Moderate: Racism and Vomit
Finally something worth reading and engaging for me and real enemies to lovers (I hope). The only minor complaint is that the tournament is so often used in fantasy (and very similar to a mix between the Hunger Games and the Goblet of Fire) that it felt repetitive even though it was actually engaging. But I hope there won't be a focus on politics and specifically on other kingdoms later on because I am interested mainly in the main characters. I also hope for once that surprise pregnancy or a babylogue won't be employed (I don't dare dream for a heroine who is childfree or doesn't mention and occupy herself with children but I am fed up with Maas' natalist propaganda).