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lainiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book was BEAUTIFUL. I knew it was gonna be good, but I didn't expect to fall in love with the characters and writing as fast as I did. After getting past the initial confusion that comes with starting a new fantasy series, I was completely engaged and wanting to know what would happen next. Seeing all of the characters develop and getting to learn more about them slowly as the story progressed was SO rewarding! I loved them all and I am so excited to see more in the next book.
Now, obviously, there is a major factor that made me love this book so much- ZAFIRA AND NASIR'S ROMANCE, OH MY GOD. They are so cute??? I love them so much!!! All of the enemies to lovers, slowburn tropes you could ask for were found here, and they were done perfectly. Since the tone of this book is pretty serious, I wasn't sure if there would be any major cutesy, swoon-worthy moments, but oh my gosh was I wrong. I found myself having to look away from my book and gush about how amazing their interactions were. Something that really made their relationship as perfect as it is, was being able to see everything from both perspectives. It was so fun to see the contrast between Zafira's description of herself and how Nasir views her. It made the developing feelings so much more believable and worth the slow buildup.
Speaking of Zafira, I love her so much, she is the best. She had the perfect mixture of kindness and anger and wit and bravery and every other good trait possible. Seeing her grow throughout her journey was one of the best parts of the book, and I am really looking forward to seeing how strong she is in We Free the Stars.
Love you Hafsah Faizal, you are a queen.
Now, obviously, there is a major factor that made me love this book so much- ZAFIRA AND NASIR'S ROMANCE, OH MY GOD. They are so cute??? I love them so much!!! All of the enemies to lovers, slowburn tropes you could ask for were found here, and they were done perfectly. Since the tone of this book is pretty serious, I wasn't sure if there would be any major cutesy, swoon-worthy moments, but oh my gosh was I wrong. I found myself having to look away from my book and gush about how amazing their interactions were. Something that really made their relationship as perfect as it is, was being able to see everything from both perspectives. It was so fun to see the contrast between Zafira's description of herself and how Nasir views her. It made the developing feelings so much more believable and worth the slow buildup.
Speaking of Zafira, I love her so much, she is the best. She had the perfect mixture of kindness and anger and wit and bravery and every other good trait possible. Seeing her grow throughout her journey was one of the best parts of the book, and I am really looking forward to seeing how strong she is in We Free the Stars.
Love you Hafsah Faizal, you are a queen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Torture, Sexism, Murder, and Misogyny
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol and Child death
kindredbears's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Torture
Minor: Incest, Child death, and Pedophilia
tired_cicada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
I loved the book!! And so do a LOT of other people given that it took me MONTHS to even get my hands on a copy!!
I love the story! I love the charecters! There were bits that I saw coming but it kept me on the edge of my seat most the time
My one gripe is why was Deen even included? Like he was WASTED as a charecter! His death was deep and impact full for... Ten pages? Then his death really only served to keep the main couple apart. Like even Zafira will go chapters forgetting he was even there, then have a moment with Nasir and be like, "oh yeah, Deen, he existed." Like if you're going to kill someone make it hit. This death didn't hit. </Spoiler>
I loved the setting. I hear alot of people say it's confusing (and now that I have actually read it thats clearly just racism) like do you have a second graders comprehension level? It flows expertly and keep you engaged.
I love the charecters! I really do! I can't with these boys! I know they SAY they hate each other but they are best friends I just know it!
I love the story! I love the charecters! There were bits that I saw coming but it kept me on the edge of my seat most the time
My one gripe is
I loved the setting. I hear alot of people say it's confusing (and now that I have actually read it thats clearly just racism) like do you have a second graders comprehension level? It flows expertly and keep you engaged.
I love the charecters! I really do! I can't with these boys! I know they SAY they hate each other but they are best friends I just know it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Torture, and Violence
lucilaroife's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Torture, Violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
allison_claire_chang's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, and Death of parent
cheyenne_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
I'm afraid the beginning was awfully slow, and I never quite connected with the author's writing style, which fell somewhere between "dreamlike" and "confusing" for me. But the characters were beautiful, and the world was stunning, and I'm obsessed with the developing romance, so I'll forgive the rest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Minor: Emotional abuse
kenna11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
YES
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture and Violence
griffinthief's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Child death
sapphic_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
Rep:
Gay side character
Gay side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Grief, Gore, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, and Torture
Minor: Kidnapping, Child death, and Animal death
bookishundercover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-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
4.0
I really loved this book!! The first 160 pages was too slow!! Hard to get in to. But after that I forgot I was reading! It was hard to love Nasir character but after getting to know him and his background I started to like him. Loved Zafira!! Just....I love her!! And Altair is my comfort character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, Colonisation, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Violence, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny