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baksaydora's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
This book was meh for me. The setting was beautiful, but I found that the author described mostly the food and sometimes the outfits too much for my taste. It took me almost halfway through the book to grow attached to Fatima, as for Zulfikar... I did not like him, but didn't hate him either. Fatima's sister I don't like, and I only beginning to like Bhavya towards the end.
The romance was nothing special, my main complaint about it is that I did not got the impression from Fatima, that he was actually in love with Zulfikar through her actions that much.
It didn't needed this much POV, Zulfikar, and Fatima would have been enough, and we could have seen the things through their eyes, which could have strenghten their bond.
The romance was nothing special, my main complaint about it is that I did not got the impression from Fatima, that he was actually in love with Zulfikar through her actions that much.
It didn't needed this much POV, Zulfikar, and Fatima would have been enough, and we could have seen the things through their eyes, which could have strenghten their bond.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
Minor: War
spicedragon's review against another edition
3.0
I feel because this was meant as a stand-alone it's a lot packed into one book, so you don't get much development but still... 2.5/5 but rounding up to 3 because we support authors of colour
A lot happens in the book but also nothing at all? The worldbuilding and the way the city of Noor is introduced to us is amazing, in fact, we know and grow more attached to the city more than the characters. The characters and plot are forgotten in favour of the city, and the plot isn't tangible until past the halfway mark.
I feel like this would've worked well as a collection of short stories from the different POVs of the various side-characters, so you get to explore Noor while also meeting the many characters. To be honest, it would've been a fun read that way as I did end up liking a lot of the side-characters like Rajkumar Bhavya
Also.. the romance?
A lot happens in the book but also nothing at all? The worldbuilding and the way the city of Noor is introduced to us is amazing, in fact, we know and grow more attached to the city more than the characters. The characters and plot are forgotten in favour of the city, and the plot isn't tangible until past the halfway mark.
I feel like this would've worked well as a collection of short stories from the different POVs of the various side-characters, so you get to explore Noor while also meeting the many characters. To be honest, it would've been a fun read that way as I did end up liking a lot of the side-characters like Rajkumar Bhavya
Also.. the romance?
Spoiler
I felt like there was no build-up like I understand for the Emir it was because of the fire bond but for Fatima? I felt like nothing for the pair, and I feel like if it was a slow burn with substantial build-up it could've been amazing... and also the 7 year age difference did NOT helpSpoiler
that_crazy_fangirl's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. The cover, the world building, the romance, the cover, the characters, the way the story is written and plays out… also, did I mention the cover?!?
GORGEOUS. BEAUTIFUL. SPECTACULAR. MAGNIFICENT. I could continue listing words to describe the cover, but honestly I don’t think there are enough words in any language to describe just how magnificent I think it is. It really is amazing.
Of course, I didn’t just rate this book 5 stars for the cover alone. (Honestly, though, even if I did, could you really blame me?) I genuinely enjoyed all the world building the author did, the characters and the story. If you don’t have this on your tbr, you better change that right now. This is a great book and I honestly can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it. It definitely deserves a 5 star rating
GORGEOUS. BEAUTIFUL. SPECTACULAR. MAGNIFICENT. I could continue listing words to describe the cover, but honestly I don’t think there are enough words in any language to describe just how magnificent I think it is. It really is amazing.
Of course, I didn’t just rate this book 5 stars for the cover alone. (Honestly, though, even if I did, could you really blame me?) I genuinely enjoyed all the world building the author did, the characters and the story. If you don’t have this on your tbr, you better change that right now. This is a great book and I honestly can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it. It definitely deserves a 5 star rating
lailybibliography's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmm, it’s been a while since I’ve been so conflicted about a book. I’m torn between rating it a 3.5 and a 4.5, so I guess I’ll settle for a 4 stars now. Maybe I’ll change it later; I’m fickle like that.
The trouble with the rating wouldn’t have existed if The Candle and the Flame didn’t have some of the most gorgeous and intricate world-building I’ve seen across fantasy. Non-European and/or Eurocentric settings are already few and far between, not to mention exoticized and mystified for western audiences in the few that do exist (*cough* looking at you, The Alchemist*cough*), that finding where the author clearly cared for the world and built it accordingly, gives me great joy. It’s a world I wish I could’ve lived in, but history and time hasn’t been so kind.
The book’s greatest strength, however, comes from the brilliance of its female characters. It is without a doubt that this book centres primarily on several female-centric empowering narratives and it shines brighter and better for that. Every woman (and girl) in the book felt like a person I could know, with all the layers of complexity and motivations, trying to survive in a patriarchal world that won’t hesitate to cut them down. Nafiza Azad could’ve easily have reduced many of the women in the story to have clashed over petty issues, but instead chose to focus on their personal growth and journeys. Mad Respect. I’m 100% here for subversive stories about women unapologetically taking control of their destinies. And throwing useless men to the side. Some good fucking food, y’all.
Despite the strengths of the book, I will admit that it took quite some time for me to become emotionally invested in the lives of Fatima Ghazala, Bhavya, Zulfikar, and others. For all the beauty of Noor, much of the story, especially the first half, lacked the emotional intensity needed for readers to actually care. Several parts felt more like a history book, simply writing down the facts of the journey, than a fantasy novel. It felt like a scribe recording history, meant for studying by students, rather than passionate readers experiencing the ride.
Overall, if you prefer slow-moving plots, character development over plot movement, focus on women of colour in non-Eurocentric and pre-colonized settings, and classic slow-burn romances, this is it.
I still have a lot more to say but I’m tired of typing, so that’ll be it. At least for now.
The trouble with the rating wouldn’t have existed if The Candle and the Flame didn’t have some of the most gorgeous and intricate world-building I’ve seen across fantasy. Non-European and/or Eurocentric settings are already few and far between, not to mention exoticized and mystified for western audiences in the few that do exist (*cough* looking at you, The Alchemist*cough*), that finding where the author clearly cared for the world and built it accordingly, gives me great joy. It’s a world I wish I could’ve lived in, but history and time hasn’t been so kind.
The book’s greatest strength, however, comes from the brilliance of its female characters. It is without a doubt that this book centres primarily on several female-centric empowering narratives and it shines brighter and better for that. Every woman (and girl) in the book felt like a person I could know, with all the layers of complexity and motivations, trying to survive in a patriarchal world that won’t hesitate to cut them down. Nafiza Azad could’ve easily have reduced many of the women in the story to have clashed over petty issues, but instead chose to focus on their personal growth and journeys. Mad Respect. I’m 100% here for subversive stories about women unapologetically taking control of their destinies. And throwing useless men to the side.
Spoiler
Aaruv’s death was fucking satisfying. I’m tempted to give 5 stars just for the vindication of dying by the crown he desired and the sister he demeaned.Despite the strengths of the book, I will admit that it took quite some time for me to become emotionally invested in the lives of Fatima Ghazala, Bhavya, Zulfikar, and others. For all the beauty of Noor, much of the story, especially the first half, lacked the emotional intensity needed for readers to actually care. Several parts felt more like a history book, simply writing down the facts of the journey, than a fantasy novel. It felt like a scribe recording history, meant for studying by students, rather than passionate readers experiencing the ride.
Overall, if you prefer slow-moving plots, character development over plot movement, focus on women of colour in non-Eurocentric and pre-colonized settings, and classic slow-burn romances, this is it.
I still have a lot more to say but I’m tired of typing, so that’ll be it. At least for now.
cuckleberryfins's review against another edition
3.0
This was beautifully written and v soft.
But nothing happened until about halfway through and 2 of the 4 POVs didn't really have complete character arcs??
But nothing happened until about halfway through and 2 of the 4 POVs didn't really have complete character arcs??
alibrareads's review
slow-paced
2.5
This started off really promising, with very rich and colorful worldbuilding. Then once the beauty of that wore off… This book had a whole lot of nothing happening. The “romance” was forced and contrived. The plot thread surrounding the rebels who want the Ifrit gone was just floating around in the breeze and not doing anything interesting.
The main purpose of the book is following Fatima as she changes and grows and deals with a couple new challenges… And yet I also don’t know who this book is for because I don’t see the point of it? There were a lot of singular elements and characters here and there that were interesting, but nothing really came together or amounted to much. Things did happen at the end, but it wasn’t a particularly satisfying ending to me.
I really enjoyed the author’s book The Wild Ones, which has similarities in the slice of life flavor, and I would recommend that over this. Both have strong women, diversity, and themes of grief, but this was a much less impactful story than that one was.
The main purpose of the book is following Fatima as she changes and grows and deals with a couple new challenges… And yet I also don’t know who this book is for because I don’t see the point of it? There were a lot of singular elements and characters here and there that were interesting, but nothing really came together or amounted to much. Things did happen at the end, but it wasn’t a particularly satisfying ending to me.
I really enjoyed the author’s book The Wild Ones, which has similarities in the slice of life flavor, and I would recommend that over this. Both have strong women, diversity, and themes of grief, but this was a much less impactful story than that one was.
sarah_grey's review against another edition
2.0
I really, really wanted to like this book more than I did. The concept was great and there are strong female characters that are against misogyny and that should make for an awesome story. However, the POV switches almost constantly, every outfit and meal is described in great detail (the book would be 100 pages shorter without those descriptions), and the characters conveniently changed to be almost perfect all the time. Anachronisms took me out of the story (showers, futons, and costume jewelry, to name a few), as did their supposed poverty when they always had money to purchase food (often an unnecessary indulgence rather than staples).
The mythology incorporated is wonderful. So are the settings. I feel like a few more flaws for the characters and more of a focus on the larger plot instead of the web of relationships and dramas would have made this great instead of just okay.
The mythology incorporated is wonderful. So are the settings. I feel like a few more flaws for the characters and more of a focus on the larger plot instead of the web of relationships and dramas would have made this great instead of just okay.
xavia's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a long time to read this book. Almost two months. Twice, I almost put it down altogether and resigned it to my DNF list. But, through a series of circumstances that culminated in me having no other books on hand, I kept coming back to it.
The beginning of this book is... long. And while the descriptive imagery is beautiful and immersive, that will only take you so far. It truly felt to me like I kept turning pages and nothing was happening. It wasn't until Fatima became Fatima Ghazala that the book started to get interesting.
Now, having managed to strong arm my way through the book, I can say that the writing is just as beautiful as it's cover, and I think we can all agree that there is some serious cover love with this book, but in terms of plot, the book is only half as strong. I think if the book had focused only on Fatima Ghazala and Zulfikar, the book would have been stronger. The interactions between them, the slow falling in love, was fantastic. I ate those moments up.
The other moments, and other characters? I was less invested in them.
I actually spent the first half of the book with a great dislike of Sunaina and Bhavya. While they did eventually grow on me, I think I would have preferred companion stories about the two of them, where they could really grow and come into their own, instead of muddying up what already felt like a book overstuffed with characters and plotlines. The book is not overly long, only about 350 pages, but man, it sure does feel a lot longer. While Sunaina and Bhavya both play a part story, I can't help but feel that that could have been explored from the perspectives of Zulfikar and Fatima Ghazala, further strengthening their story.
Not to say I wouldn't want a story of Sunaina and Bhavya, I think companion novels for them would be very interesting, I just think here they caused the story to feel bloated.
The Alifs were a treasure. Everytime even one of them was present the book felt much more lively. They were a welcome relief from the doom and gloom of the main plotline. Aruna was also wonderful, and I think she is deserving of a companion novel as well. One that could delve deeper into the politics that almost destroyed Qirat.
In fact, now that I think of it, I think I would have had three companion novels. With Zulfikar and Fatima Ghazala exploring the Djinn and Human relations and what their coupling means for the future (basically this plot but more focused on the Djinn with the human politics in the background). Sunaina in her own novel, following her travels and her growing renown as a cosmetics chemist. (she can fall in love I suppose, but I actually like the idea of her coming into her own without any man). And the final being focused on Aruna and Bhavya working together to uncover the plot against Aarush and working together to stop it (this book but focused almost exclusively on the politics).
Anyway. The book as it is is alright. I thought it was very beautifully written, but man. A whole lot of nothing happens and then a whole lot of something happens all at once in the last sixty pages, and then it's over. I think it is a fine novel, and I'd be willing to give another book by this author a chance but I don't know if I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their books to move quickly.
The beginning of this book is... long. And while the descriptive imagery is beautiful and immersive, that will only take you so far. It truly felt to me like I kept turning pages and nothing was happening. It wasn't until Fatima became Fatima Ghazala that the book started to get interesting.
Now, having managed to strong arm my way through the book, I can say that the writing is just as beautiful as it's cover, and I think we can all agree that there is some serious cover love with this book, but in terms of plot, the book is only half as strong. I think if the book had focused only on Fatima Ghazala and Zulfikar, the book would have been stronger. The interactions between them, the slow falling in love, was fantastic. I ate those moments up.
The other moments, and other characters? I was less invested in them.
I actually spent the first half of the book with a great dislike of Sunaina and Bhavya. While they did eventually grow on me, I think I would have preferred companion stories about the two of them, where they could really grow and come into their own, instead of muddying up what already felt like a book overstuffed with characters and plotlines. The book is not overly long, only about 350 pages, but man, it sure does feel a lot longer. While Sunaina and Bhavya both play a part story, I can't help but feel that that could have been explored from the perspectives of Zulfikar and Fatima Ghazala, further strengthening their story.
Not to say I wouldn't want a story of Sunaina and Bhavya, I think companion novels for them would be very interesting, I just think here they caused the story to feel bloated.
The Alifs were a treasure. Everytime even one of them was present the book felt much more lively. They were a welcome relief from the doom and gloom of the main plotline. Aruna was also wonderful, and I think she is deserving of a companion novel as well. One that could delve deeper into the politics that almost destroyed Qirat.
In fact, now that I think of it, I think I would have had three companion novels. With Zulfikar and Fatima Ghazala exploring the Djinn and Human relations and what their coupling means for the future (basically this plot but more focused on the Djinn with the human politics in the background). Sunaina in her own novel, following her travels and her growing renown as a cosmetics chemist. (she can fall in love I suppose, but I actually like the idea of her coming into her own without any man). And the final being focused on Aruna and Bhavya working together to uncover the plot against Aarush and working together to stop it (this book but focused almost exclusively on the politics).
Anyway. The book as it is is alright. I thought it was very beautifully written, but man. A whole lot of nothing happens and then a whole lot of something happens all at once in the last sixty pages, and then it's over. I think it is a fine novel, and I'd be willing to give another book by this author a chance but I don't know if I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their books to move quickly.
that1muslimgirl's review against another edition
5.0
GAH! This was so good everything from the language, the world building, the romance and even political intrigue (which usually doesn’t interest me in books) was so well balanced. I loved this book from start to finish!