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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
4.5-star review for The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma
(a.k.a. the book that lit a fire under my TBR and refused to go out)
So let me start by saying this: I'm officially back on my The Phoenix King re-read era now that the sequel's dropping, and honestly? Worth. Every. Page.
If you're in the mood for a fantasy book that actually tries something new—like, not the same medieval-ish villages and chosen-one tropes we’ve all been force-fed since birth—this one delivers. Think fire magic, political mess, and a world that draws deep inspiration from Hindu mythology (yes, Kali herself makes her thematic presence known
(a.k.a. the book that lit a fire under my TBR and refused to go out)
So let me start by saying this: I'm officially back on my The Phoenix King re-read era now that the sequel's dropping, and honestly? Worth. Every. Page.
If you're in the mood for a fantasy book that actually tries something new—like, not the same medieval-ish villages and chosen-one tropes we’ve all been force-fed since birth—this one delivers. Think fire magic, political mess, and a world that draws deep inspiration from Hindu mythology (yes, Kali herself makes her thematic presence known
Will pick up at a later date.
I really couldn't get into it and with being in a book slump that did not help :(
Heard amazing things about the series which is why I'll slre start in the future...just distant furure
I really couldn't get into it and with being in a book slump that did not help :(
Heard amazing things about the series which is why I'll slre start in the future...just distant furure
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
This was a very interesting book. Many sad moments, but necessary for the plot. The characters are flawed, but not overly so. I found myself getting lost in the story, and it was easy to pick back up. It sucks you in and you want to know what’s coming next.
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
tense
slow-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
A friend recommended this (read: RAVED about it) and while I thought it was Just Okay, I see why she loved it. The fantasy elements of this are great and the atmosphere, both in Rani and in Jantar, felt very real and lived in. The sci fi elements did not work for me personally, and raised many questions about worldbuilding that were never remotely answered. I know there's two books of the trilogy left to go, but still. They broke my immersion every time, and never once felt necessary; all of the scenes that used the tech (mostly for fun and violence) could just as easily have used the existing magic system. The romance was tender (if a bit predictable) and the final twist was fun in a way that does make me want to read the sequel.
Once the book found its stride, the plot started clipping right along and the prose started to shine. Unfortunately, this didn't happen till about 60% of the way through. Had this not come so highly recommended (and if I didn't need to get Sarah her copy back this weekend) I would have DNFed.
Once the book found its stride, the plot started clipping right along and the prose started to shine. Unfortunately, this didn't happen till about 60% of the way through. Had this not come so highly recommended (and if I didn't need to get Sarah her copy back this weekend) I would have DNFed.
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
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
absolutely LOVE this book!! the world building is amazing and I love the way Verma weaves the story through different POVs. I absolutely adore Elena's feminine rage and Ferma is my fave! easily one of my favorite books of all time. I adore a desi inspired fantasy!!!
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing is what truly saved this for me. Like the author has a strong grasp on her style and I loved his things were written.
The world building was good. I love reading about cults controlling countries and lost histories and what not. However the scifi element was not very well integrated in my opinion. Like I was picturing this ancient desert city and then we were fighting in power suits, enders game style. I love scifi fantasy as a genre but it's a bit more than slapping holos and broadcasts and hoverboats in there to make it work. Always threw me right out the story. The ambiguity about the magic and the gods is amazing.
Characters. Leo was the only one worth reading about. Him and Samson. Literally nothing happens in Yassen and Elena's chapters besides vague biracial angst and 'daddy-teach-me-my-powers' whining. like I feel like so much was hidden for the sake of plot twists and that ruined things for me. Also Elena does not read like a 25-year-old woman. She's 18-19 at best in my mind.
I didn't believe in the relationship between Elena and Yassen. I just didn't. Especially after everything went down. I honestly hope he's dead in the next one. I didn't feel sympathy for anyone and their conflict really didn't resonate.
It feels like two aspects of the book were really focused on while characters and relationships fell by the wayside. Dunno if I'll read the next one. Maybe if my Library gets it
The world building was good. I love reading about cults controlling countries and lost histories and what not. However the scifi element was not very well integrated in my opinion. Like I was picturing this ancient desert city and then we were fighting in power suits, enders game style. I love scifi fantasy as a genre but it's a bit more than slapping holos and broadcasts and hoverboats in there to make it work. Always threw me right out the story. The ambiguity about the magic and the gods is amazing.
Characters. Leo was the only one worth reading about. Him and Samson. Literally nothing happens in Yassen and Elena's chapters besides vague biracial angst and 'daddy-teach-me-my-powers' whining. like I feel like so much was hidden for the sake of plot twists and that ruined things for me. Also Elena does not read like a 25-year-old woman. She's 18-19 at best in my mind.
I didn't believe in the relationship between Elena and Yassen. I just didn't. Especially after everything went down. I honestly hope he's dead in the next one. I didn't feel sympathy for anyone and their conflict really didn't resonate.
It feels like two aspects of the book were really focused on while characters and relationships fell by the wayside. Dunno if I'll read the next one. Maybe if my Library gets it
I just didn’t like the pacing of the books and it just fell flat for me