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maple_dove's review
adventurous
challenging
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
4.75
I read this book SO QUICKLY. I started reading this book because I'm in the DAY (Dear Asian Youth) Book Club but then I ended up reading this book at a pace I used to read at.
For one thing, the double-life aspect. I'm a sucker for double lives. I absolutely adored the worldbuilding too.
I'm astonished on how the KulsumxNasir part was handled. Although it was like the cheating trope in a way, in this context, it just made sense. After all, can you really blame Kulsum for not falling in love with a person like Nasir? The reveal didn't feel forced in any way and felt natural.
I did have some qualms. For example, I didn't like that the reveal of the Hunter's identity was revealed so quickly in one chapter.Also, the fact that each time the unveiling of the Demenhune Hunter's real gender was spontaneous each time? At the same time, I do like that Zafira wasn't afraid of revealing that she was a woman who took on traditionally masculine tasks.
Reviewers have probably complained about how they couldn't take Zafira or Nasir seriously as the Hunter or Prince of Death. However (if this is the case) I think they're missing the point. I believe that was the author's intention. Zafira and Nasir may have these intimidating roles and personas, but what this book shows is that those personas do not tell the full story of who they actually are.
Favorite Quotes:
For one thing, the double-life aspect. I'm a sucker for double lives. I absolutely adored the worldbuilding too.
I did have some qualms. For example, I didn't like that the reveal of the Hunter's identity was revealed so quickly in one chapter.
Reviewers have probably complained about how they couldn't take Zafira or Nasir seriously as the Hunter or Prince of Death. However (if this is the case) I think they're missing the point. I believe that was the author's intention. Zafira and Nasir may have these intimidating roles and personas, but what this book shows is that those personas do not tell the full story of who they actually are.
Favorite Quotes:
Paranoia had a way of visiting when he was least desired.
Darkness had seized his mind, whispers and half-crazed screams echoing in his ears when his fingers passed over the inscriptions in the ancient tongue. It was a darkness wrought with pain, a darkness that could never end.
It was a darkness that despaired in itself.
Maybe the tiny lions were merely ornaments, a display of pride for the victory over a man who defied men, only to be slain by women.
In this moment, we are two souls, marooned.
That was life, wasn't it? A collection of moments, a menagerie of people. Everyone stranded everywhere, always. ⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Death of parent and Gore
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, Child death, Child abuse, and Suicide
Verbal abuse (graphic)angelsfw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
marzreadz2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Misogyny, and Murder
doodeedoda's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Child abuse, Misogyny, Grief, Violence, Murder, Blood, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
nadiaherondale's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Although I was a bit lost with the world building at first I definitely enjoyed the story and loved the complexity of all of the characters, Nasir especially, and hus relationship with Altair. Still, the book was hard to read because often times there were chapters I just wasn't able to be interested in the story, and I was expecting this to be a 5 stars when it's just 4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
dokushoka's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Abandonment, Cursing, Death of parent, Slavery, Child death, and Dementia
aklovekorn's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
caityreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was a solid YA book, but it's just really not my style. If you anly read YA, I think you would enjoy the book a lot more than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Death, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent and Child abuse
Minor: Child death
book_loving_dragon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
Moderate: War, Misogyny, Sexism, and Blood
yamooz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Okay, I had high expectations from this book but I was let down. I'm not sure whether it's because I'm In a reading slump or something but the book wasn't extraordinary in any way whatsoever. I understand that YA books have repeated tropes but reading this book made me think of Hunger games or it made me think of it after my sister pointed it out to me. While I read this book, I kept on thinking "Have I seen this before somewhere" and "This feels so familiar"
After it was pointed out that the books characters are quite similar to hunger games one's, I got kinda tired of the plot...
There wasn't much connection with the characters, the characters weren't THAT well written, definitely there's room for improvement. I honestly didn't like zafira and Nasir that much. As main characters, one would expect them to be very well written but they just weren't... I couldn't connect to them at all, especially Nasir. Yes he's hot, Yes he's traumatized, He's sad and all but the connection! It just wasn't there. I honestly connected more with Dean ( who had so little screen time in the book) and Altair more than the main leads. Benyamin and kifa( I'm not use if the spelling is correct) weren't that bad but again, hardly any connection. They were badass for sure but what's the point if I don't feel anything towards the characters. While we are at connections, there wasn't much connection and chemistry with the characters too, I honestly didn't feel much chemistry between Nasir and Zafira, it felt... forced? Idk ig I ship them but it didn't feel like they were meant to be...
These are things that I didn't like about the book but it's not all bad.
The language is beautiful, I loved the books settings. Loved the detailed description, I felt like I was In the book, right there with them.The plot twists were great, loved them.
This book wasn't something I read in one sitting, the first half was pretty slow, it could be that I'm in a reading slump, that's why I didn't read it in one sitting but still, the book definitely lacked a few things.It's a book I wouldn't recommend to people who are looking for past paced one.
Over all, the book wasn't bad, just devoid of things... here and there ( does this make sense, lol 😂), I'm still gonna read part 2 of this book though. Much love to faizal, hopefully you improve ❤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Blood