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antonique_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, Violence, and Murder
nightfell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Reading this book made me feel like I was going to have a heart attack in the best possible way. It is so full of life, and culture and the writing was lovely.
I enjoyed the progression of Zafira and Nasir's relationship throughout, I thought it was well done and I ship. The scenes with them fighting and her tripping him up in front of everyone, and her tending to his burn were the best scenes of the book, I loved them sm.
This book has such slow pacing, but in an entertaining way, so I didn't really mind because of the short chapters. The amount of times Zafira fainted and ran away in this book became comical. Overall, I would highly recommend, I had so much fun reading.
I was quickly attached to all the main characters and they were all written well. However, I think there is a case to be made as to Nasir's characterisation and how in some ways was very much morally ambiguous - daddy issues - mummy issues - tragic backstory - grumpy Male love interest, but at this point I've accepted it as a part of the YA genre when it comes to romance. I loved Altair's lively banter throughout, and I didn't realise how attached I'd been to him until he was separated from the group at the end. The last few pages of the epilogue was genuinely the saddest part of the book. When he described them leaving him, and the fact that they didn't look for him broke my heart. I love him. As I read the book, I made the discovery that both Zafira and Nasir were bisexual which I thought I had concrete evidence for. Zafira's reluctance and bitterness at Yasmine's marriage was too much to justify with 'their best friends', because the way she brought it up every few pages, even about halfway through the book when Zafira was on Sharr miles away, she still was so bitter about it and every time she thought of Yasmine she would talk of her 'ethereal, perfect beauty'. The evidence is there.
Also there was a moment when Zafira met with the Silver Witch toward the beginning of the book, and before she left she randomly decided to strangle Zafira, and ??? Like ok, choke her out for no reason? This can also be considered evidence for her bisexuality, In my opinion.
Nasir on the other hand, was a sick joke. From the beginning, Hafsah Faizal created such obvious romantic tension between Nasir and Altair istg, the banter was so flirtatious, and at one point Altair even challenged Nasir to kiss him or something similar?? I even tabbed all their gay moments because I was so into it. Only for it to be revealed that they're BROTHERS. Never would I have ever expected that, and now I have to deal with the fact that I was an incest shipper/supporter. Pack it up Cassandra Clare. I'm going to need to embark on a whole healing journey before I can read the second book because wtf. And the worst part is Faizal knew what she was doing. She wanted us to ship them ISTG. And Altair knew the entire time and still flirted with his brotherrrr. And also that reveal that his dad is the Lion of Night??? I can't begin to process that.
I enjoyed the progression of Zafira and Nasir's relationship throughout, I thought it was well done and I ship. The scenes with them fighting and her tripping him up in front of everyone, and her tending to his burn were the best scenes of the book, I loved them sm.
This book has such slow pacing, but in an entertaining way, so I didn't really mind because of the short chapters. The amount of times Zafira fainted and ran away in this book became comical. Overall, I would highly recommend, I had so much fun reading.
I was quickly attached to all the main characters and they were all written well. However, I think there is a case to be made as to Nasir's characterisation and how in some ways was very much morally ambiguous - daddy issues - mummy issues - tragic backstory - grumpy Male love interest, but at this point I've accepted it as a part of the YA genre when it comes to romance. I loved Altair's lively banter throughout,
Also there was a moment when Zafira met with the Silver Witch toward the beginning of the book, and before she left she randomly decided to strangle Zafira, and ??? Like ok, choke her out for no reason? This can also be considered evidence for her bisexuality, In my opinion.
Nasir on the other hand, was a sick joke. From the beginning, Hafsah Faizal created such obvious romantic tension between Nasir and Altair istg, the banter was so flirtatious, and at one point Altair even challenged Nasir to kiss him or something similar?? I even tabbed all their gay moments because I was so into it. Only for it to be revealed that they're BROTHERS. Never would I have ever expected that, and now I have to deal with the fact that I was an incest shipper/supporter. Pack it up Cassandra Clare. I'm going to need to embark on a whole healing journey before I can read the second book because wtf. And the worst part is Faizal knew what she was doing. She wanted us to ship them ISTG. And Altair knew the entire time and still flirted with his brotherrrr. And also that reveal that his dad is the Lion of Night??? I can't begin to process that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Misogyny, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Chronic illness
saoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
I guess there were too many negative biases and notions I had before reading this duology, seeing book reviews of it specifically, which is a folly because it's a different story when you read it yourself to get the experience. The novel's high fantasy emergence did not scare you into thinking it was a bore; there was this kind of indulgence and mystique with the way the author weaved storytelling; it made readers patient, allowing it to unfold as it does, and waiting to see how it will come about. It flowed with realistic aspects in relationship dynamics which didn't follow a typical one. There were no words needed to express how true this was within the Arawiya lands. You waited for it and just as you thought, it's a relief both calm and sorrowful with how it ended out. I can't wait to read more about what happens when the Zumra journeys back away from Sharr, though it's a question if they really did in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Torture, Abandonment, Death of parent, Confinement, Grief, Violence, and Child abuse
esme_t's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Child death
andatherrin's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Torture, Sexism, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Misogyny
taryn_g's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death and Sexism
rhm04's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Torture, Sexism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Child death
kinsportch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Death, Torture, and Sexism
Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Blood, Animal death, and Child death
cappuccino_yuki_teddy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
sunlit_music's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
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
4.0
Characters - the main characters are all realistic, flawed, funny, and brave. I like Zafira's family best, especially Yasmine's great sense of humour and warmth. Also loved Altair being funny and charming, and how he has hidden depths. The romance was developed slowly over time, and felt natural and believable. It became much more touching towards the end, and I was cheering for the two leads to become a couple at the end of the book.
The antagonist - At first I thought the antagonist was the Sultan, but it turned out there was another antagonist who was even more frightening and personal.
What made me happy was the fact that the main characters work hard at righting the wrongs they had done, and showed that they were capable of improving.
I didn't mind the fact that the antagonist was related to two of the protagonists, it made the story more emotional and intense, and didn't feel unnecessary.
Pacing - pacing is slow at the beginning of the book, but that's ok. The slow pacing gave me time to get to know the characters and care about them more. The pace becomes much faster at about the halfway point of the book, where all the main characters band together to find the missing magic book, the Jarawat. Pacing at the end of the book (the big battle) was fast paced and exciting.
Plot twists - the plot twists made a lot of sense and added richness and depth to the world building, religion and magic. Each time a character is revealed to have a hidden connection to another character, and you realise this is why the characters care about each other so much. Plot twists at the end were especially emotional and rewarding. All plot twists were there for a great reason, and were emotionally satisfying.
content warning for: death of a parent character, violence and emotional abuse from the antagonists, a scene where at least two protagonists are tortured by an antagonist
The antagonist - At first I thought the antagonist was the Sultan, but it turned out there was another antagonist who was even more frightening and personal.
What made me happy was the fact that the main characters work hard at righting the wrongs they had done, and showed that they were capable of improving.
Pacing - pacing is slow at the beginning of the book, but that's ok. The slow pacing gave me time to get to know the characters and care about them more. The pace becomes much faster at about the halfway point of the book, where all the main characters band together to find the missing magic book, the Jarawat. Pacing at the end of the book (the big battle) was fast paced and exciting.
Plot twists - the plot twists made a lot of sense and added richness and depth to the world building, religion and magic. Each time a character is revealed to have a hidden connection to another character, and you realise this is why the characters care about each other so much. Plot twists at the end were especially emotional and rewarding. All plot twists were there for a great reason, and were emotionally satisfying.
content warning for: death of a parent character, violence and emotional abuse from the antagonists, a scene where at least two protagonists are tortured by an antagonist
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent