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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!
jmbq_reads's review against another edition
5.0
A leisurely, compelling story set in a mythical Silk Road city where cultures cohabit. Fabulous world-building and vivid descriptions (especially of the food and fragrances) that completely pulled me in, and a wide cast of characters, most of whom are given plenty of room to grow and explore the way past their roles and into their powers (women especially). I loved how Azad incorporated vocabulary from multiple languages to add to the diversity of the setting and culture (what a treat to learn new words!). The only problem I had with the book is that it did not come with an unending supply of gulab jamun and chai or sharbat, because it made me really, really hungry for sweets.
scarletthequeen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
Minor: Sexual harassment
tikiscream666's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping for more from this story, but it just fell flat for me. The characters weren't flushed out enough, everything felt a little too convenient for the protagonist, and while I understood the importance of the name (I listened to the book) and I found the harping on it grating.
sarag19's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Some books come with a beautiful cover and fail to deliver and then there are books that come with a beautiful cover and deliver. The Candle and the Flame is one of those that delivers. It is such a beautiful story with so many amazing characters.
The Good
- Pretty much all the female characters, yes even those not so good ladies. The men are great too but it is the ladies that really shine in this book. Each woman brings their own unique strength to the plot and it never felt like it was at the expense of one of the other women. I loved Fatima Ghazala, she is confident in her powers but never arrogant about her abilities. I loved her desire for independence but her willingness to seek out and accept help as needed. Yet, I found Bhavya to be my favorite character in the end. Her characters arc, from a starry eyed lovesick girl to a staunch defender of her family and country willing to put the bigger needs above her own is beautiful, yet sad. I loved the contrast between that it drew between her and her brother. They both believed that how they go about handling the situation is the right way. Yet in the moment when it comes to making the right decision, the bear the weight of the pain, it is the women willing to make the sacrifice.
- This book is so lush in both the world that it created but everyone that inhabits it. Especially the food, its a compliment to say this book made me exceptionally hungry. Food is a huge part of culture and it is used as a theme in the book to show how diverse a city can be but also how unified. It is clear that the author loves the culture she puts into her book and wants to share it with everyone. Also a balance, that no culture or religious feels that it is being favored over another.
- I loved the relationship between Fatima Ghazala and Zulfikar, push and pull, give and take. They respect and care for each other and watching it develop through the book was just really sweet.
The Not So Good
- So, even though I pretty much loved this book the beginning was a little difficult to get through.It starts really good with the first chapter and then its pretty heavy in description of the environment that really starts to drag what started out so strong to a stumble. Some of the stuff would have been better addressed maybe further into the book, it just felt like the author wanted to describe the world at the expense of slowing down the story. Once that gets going the book flows really nice, its just a shame the stumbles for awhile after starting out so strong.
Still loved it and I hope we get to see more from Nafiza Azad.
Some books come with a beautiful cover and fail to deliver and then there are books that come with a beautiful cover and deliver. The Candle and the Flame is one of those that delivers. It is such a beautiful story with so many amazing characters.
The Good
- Pretty much all the female characters, yes even those not so good ladies. The men are great too but it is the ladies that really shine in this book. Each woman brings their own unique strength to the plot and it never felt like it was at the expense of one of the other women. I loved Fatima Ghazala, she is confident in her powers but never arrogant about her abilities. I loved her desire for independence but her willingness to seek out and accept help as needed. Yet, I found Bhavya to be my favorite character in the end. Her characters arc, from a starry eyed lovesick girl to a staunch defender of her family and country willing to put the bigger needs above her own is beautiful, yet sad. I loved the contrast between that it drew between her and her brother. They both believed that how they go about handling the situation is the right way. Yet in the moment when it comes to making the right decision, the bear the weight of the pain, it is the women willing to make the sacrifice.
- This book is so lush in both the world that it created but everyone that inhabits it. Especially the food, its a compliment to say this book made me exceptionally hungry. Food is a huge part of culture and it is used as a theme in the book to show how diverse a city can be but also how unified. It is clear that the author loves the culture she puts into her book and wants to share it with everyone. Also a balance, that no culture or religious feels that it is being favored over another.
- I loved the relationship between Fatima Ghazala and Zulfikar, push and pull, give and take. They respect and care for each other and watching it develop through the book was just really sweet.
The Not So Good
- So, even though I pretty much loved this book the beginning was a little difficult to get through.It starts really good with the first chapter and then its pretty heavy in description of the environment that really starts to drag what started out so strong to a stumble. Some of the stuff would have been better addressed maybe further into the book, it just felt like the author wanted to describe the world at the expense of slowing down the story. Once that gets going the book flows really nice, its just a shame the stumbles for awhile after starting out so strong.
Still loved it and I hope we get to see more from Nafiza Azad.
jennifersiyuanzhou's review against another edition
3.0
loved the magic system
loved the city
wish saw more of the silk road aspect
didn't follow the romance
climax was very...anti-climatic?
plot but fairly meh, character interactions were much nicer
honestly might have liked the story better if we took out the more political side (cuz it didn't really go anywhere)
maybe just more of the characters interacting with each other and growing??
loved the city
wish saw more of the silk road aspect
didn't follow the romance
climax was very...anti-climatic?
plot but fairly meh, character interactions were much nicer
honestly might have liked the story better if we took out the more political side (cuz it didn't really go anywhere)
maybe just more of the characters interacting with each other and growing??
bakingwithconfidence's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mandykins007's review against another edition
5.0
This was gorgeously written! So beautifully descriptive. Heartbreaking at times but so incredibly well done! I wish there was another to accompany this gem! Honestly one of the most beautifully descriptive books I've ever read. The language was stunning.