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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-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
It took me a while to get into, but the second half really picked up. There were points where I wish the story traveled in a different direction, but it kept my attention and I’m curious how the series unfolds.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
dark
emotional
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 book will forever hold a special place in my heart for getting me hooked on reading again (and I will forever be grateful to the librarian that recced this book to me).
I mean I went from this to reading The first tome of the farseer trilogy (very very well-written but NOT an easy read that one).
The writing is very accessible, the world-building is INCREDIBLE, I was hooked from the start (probably because I was very offended at how unjust this world was and I drew a looot of parallels with real world history).
I learned a couple of real cultural tidbits that I found fascinating and would love to learn more about.
I also really appreciated that the romance was not central to the story and the characters are very well written in that their flaws make a lot of sense. Sometimes I thought some interactions seemed immature (I think there was a sx scene where a male character growled or something) which pulled me out of the narration... but then when I thought of the characters' ages and their history, and the fact the narration is written in their pov, it was actually very good characterization.
in short, I loved it !
I mean I went from this to reading The first tome of the farseer trilogy (very very well-written but NOT an easy read that one).
The writing is very accessible, the world-building is INCREDIBLE, I was hooked from the start (probably because I was very offended at how unjust this world was and I drew a looot of parallels with real world history).
I learned a couple of real cultural tidbits that I found fascinating and would love to learn more about.
I also really appreciated that the romance was not central to the story and the characters are very well written in that their flaws make a lot of sense. Sometimes I thought some interactions seemed immature (I think there was a sx scene where a male character growled or something) which pulled me out of the narration... but then when I thought of the characters' ages and their history, and the fact the narration is written in their pov, it was actually very good characterization.
in short, I loved it !
This was so well thought and is a genuinely very interesting plot, but the execution is a bit lacking. The story feels like it drags for a bit at times. Everytime you are on the verge of figuring something out, you get extra 50 pages of virtually nothing. The representation is incredible tho.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
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
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
The Final Strife is a captivating novel exploring identity, forgiveness and what binds us to one another in a fractured world.
From the prologue alone, I was immersed within the pages. El-Arifi's worldbuilding is beautiful, mysterious and intimate. I found myself leaning in as I read the Griot's story, the rythem of the djambe drum and old tavern taking shape around me. This immersion continued as I explored and experienced the culture, lore and mysterious alongside the characters.
I loved the characters, especially Anoor, Sylah and Hassa. They were all flawed, blinded by their ambitions and yetall three of them were trying to create a better world for their fractured people
The themes within the book were so beautifully explored within their external and internal journies. They read like real people, and it was impossible not to love them, root and cry with them.
The storytelling. I could not put this book down, between the lore, characters and underlying mysteries, the narrative was addictive. Not to mention, the use of Griots throughout which spoke to my Afro-Caribbean roots. The power of storytelling was a powerful theme of onto itself.
I could write a whole essay on why I love this book, but I will end it here. I full reccommend this book to those seeking high fantasy novels with lovable characters, high stakes, layered themes and a magical world that will leave you wanting more. Definitly going to be reading books 2 and 3 in this series, and anything else EL-Arifi writes.
From the prologue alone, I was immersed within the pages. El-Arifi's worldbuilding is beautiful, mysterious and intimate. I found myself leaning in as I read the Griot's story, the rythem of the djambe drum and old tavern taking shape around me. This immersion continued as I explored and experienced the culture, lore and mysterious alongside the characters.
I loved the characters, especially Anoor, Sylah and Hassa. They were all flawed, blinded by their ambitions and yet
The themes within the book were so beautifully explored within their external and internal journies. They read like real people, and it was impossible not to love them, root and cry with them.
The storytelling. I could not put this book down, between the lore, characters and underlying mysteries, the narrative was addictive. Not to mention, the use of Griots throughout which spoke to my Afro-Caribbean roots. The power of storytelling was a powerful theme of onto itself.
I could write a whole essay on why I love this book, but I will end it here. I full reccommend this book to those seeking high fantasy novels with lovable characters, high stakes, layered themes and a magical world that will leave you wanting more. Definitly going to be reading books 2 and 3 in this series, and anything else EL-Arifi writes.
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:
No