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camilliant's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely corny in places, but in general just warm YA goodness. Felt like reading the Goose Girl for the first time but with more everything.
lonelyhuman's review against another edition
4.0
The whole falling in love without knowing the real identity of the other person thing is one of my favorite tropes (it probably has another name). And I absolutely loved it in this book, even if it was kind of instalovey. I loved both of the characters, and I liked the way that the romance developed. I especially liked the way that both of the characters, but especially Jatin, were trying to keep their identities hidden. And I loved the revelation at the end I loved the magic system which was a twist on the classical elemental magic system with 9 different types of magic instead of 4, and people could control more than one of them if they had the ability which I found to be really unique.
The one thing about this book that I did not really like was the overall world. It was based on South Asia, and I feel like it’s either too much or too little. I feel like the author should either have used the general idea and stayed away from the names which made it more obvious or leaned into it more so that the world wasn’t so confusing.
Spoiler
that Aadra’s mother was the one who was secretly helping them the entire time, I did not see that coming.The one thing about this book that I did not really like was the overall world. It was based on South Asia, and I feel like it’s either too much or too little. I feel like the author should either have used the general idea and stayed away from the names which made it more obvious or leaned into it more so that the world wasn’t so confusing.
kay1eigh's review against another edition
3.0
Kay I ended up enjoying this book more than I expected! It wasn't perfect but it was enjoyabl.e. The plot kept moving forward and the main characters are pretty likeable. The issues I had were with the writing for the most part. Some of the dialogue felt like a way for the author to insert things in the story that she didn't want to explain in other ways. Like it felt very tell instead of show in some ways. Also, I feel like she introduced minor characters that were super interesting but then they fell away for the majority of the story, only coming in at the end when it was convenient. I feel like having more supporting characters that were actually present would have been better. Also, I feel like some things were so obvious and the characters were so oblivious (I can't say much without spoiling). I think the world building could use some more fleshing out. It was vague and losse and again felt like the author just pulled some things in at the end because it was convenient but there wasn't enough set up throughout the story for it to seem natural. Overall though, it was an enjoyable book. 3.5 stars
belellcollins's review against another edition
5.0
I was sold on this book from the minute I saw Charlie Bowater has illustrated the cover. As soon as I got around to diving into it I was happy that the story felt both like a real fantasy but with certain things that grounded me and made it feel even more realistic (which is saying a lot for a story that relies heavily on magic). The language of Wickery was so similar in a lot of ways to how we talk today, but there were small differences that really placed me in the world. Jatin and Adraa were some of the most compelling fantasy characters I've read in a while, and I really hate when the plot unravels with one conversation, Swift did a great job of telling us Jatin's fears and motivations for not telling Adraa the truth.
The magic in Wickery is incredibly interesting and complex. There was a deep mythology happening in this world that I'm hoping well get even more of in book two. The politics in this book could've very easily gotten out of hand, but they were doled out in small doses that lead directly to the big confrontation without us having to understand a fantastical magical political system.
Overall, I'm kinda in love with this powerful duo and what's happening in Wickery.
The magic in Wickery is incredibly interesting and complex. There was a deep mythology happening in this world that I'm hoping well get even more of in book two. The politics in this book could've very easily gotten out of hand, but they were doled out in small doses that lead directly to the big confrontation without us having to understand a fantastical magical political system.
Overall, I'm kinda in love with this powerful duo and what's happening in Wickery.
milad_'s review against another edition
3.0
Until the end of the book I was ready to give it 4 stars, but then I read some reviews from Indians and South Asians here about the fact that the author is white so in the plot there are some cultural problems that at the time I couldn't recognize and that made me change my mind. Anyway, the book is good fun and I couldn't stop reading
shaked_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I received an e-ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review!
Cast in Firelight captured me from the very beginning. I could tell from the prologue that I was going to love this book. The writing was flowing and the plot and world interesting. I wasn’t sure where the book was going but I kept wanting to read more. Frankly, I didn’t want to put the book down.
Some of my favorite tropes took part in this book and I was LIVING for it. Enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience and secret identities all took part of the plot. The chemistry and interaction between Adraa and Jatin kept me hooked until the very last page.
Adraa and Jatin were such wonderful characters to read about. They disliked each other for nine years and yet they were also the same people that drove one another to succeed. They drove each other to improve by constantly competing. The tension and animosity that brewed from those nine years, created some interesting developments and interactions between the two and their thoughts of one another. I loved their competitiveness and sass and confidence. Their personalities worked so well with one another and their power as a team really showed.
Their romance progressed slowly but surely, with lots of setbacks and lies and deceits but also lots of insecurity and tenderness. They both tried to refrain from gaining feelings for one another since they did not know each other’s identities, and knew they were betrothed and promised to another. They were both under the impression that the person they are interacting with are just commoners. While gaining feelings for those same “commoners” they still held on to their dislike of one another- believing they have not met each other. This drove me the best kind of crazy. I was frustrated. I kept screaming at the book that they’re falling in love with their intended. That they did not, in fact, hate their betrothed. It was amazing.
The magic system was so intriguing. I loved that it was religion based with their gods and each of their magic type combines with the color each represented. It was complex and yet very easy to understand.
Overall, I loved this book! It was just so FUN. I enjoyed the plot, loved the characters and their chemistry. It was a real fast read too! The pace was great and it definitely made for a good binge read!!
Cast in Firelight captured me from the very beginning. I could tell from the prologue that I was going to love this book. The writing was flowing and the plot and world interesting. I wasn’t sure where the book was going but I kept wanting to read more. Frankly, I didn’t want to put the book down.
Some of my favorite tropes took part in this book and I was LIVING for it. Enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience and secret identities all took part of the plot. The chemistry and interaction between Adraa and Jatin kept me hooked until the very last page.
Adraa and Jatin were such wonderful characters to read about. They disliked each other for nine years and yet they were also the same people that drove one another to succeed. They drove each other to improve by constantly competing. The tension and animosity that brewed from those nine years, created some interesting developments and interactions between the two and their thoughts of one another. I loved their competitiveness and sass and confidence. Their personalities worked so well with one another and their power as a team really showed.
Their romance progressed slowly but surely, with lots of setbacks and lies and deceits but also lots of insecurity and tenderness. They both tried to refrain from gaining feelings for one another since they did not know each other’s identities, and knew they were betrothed and promised to another. They were both under the impression that the person they are interacting with are just commoners. While gaining feelings for those same “commoners” they still held on to their dislike of one another- believing they have not met each other. This drove me the best kind of crazy. I was frustrated. I kept screaming at the book that they’re falling in love with their intended. That they did not, in fact, hate their betrothed. It was amazing.
The magic system was so intriguing. I loved that it was religion based with their gods and each of their magic type combines with the color each represented. It was complex and yet very easy to understand.
Overall, I loved this book! It was just so FUN. I enjoyed the plot, loved the characters and their chemistry. It was a real fast read too! The pace was great and it definitely made for a good binge read!!
amchris's review against another edition
Excited for more...this was a really fun story.
ninarotcajg's review against another edition
3.75
J’ai absolument adoré toute la première partie du roman. Le monde, le système de magie, les héros, tout pour moi marchait.
Je n’avais jamais lu quelque chose de similaire au niveau de la magie, des fumées, des marques sur les bras etc, ainsi donc j’appréciais en découvrir toujours plus.
Mais ce que j’aimais par dessus tout, c’était le fait que les deux personnages ne savent pas l’identité de l’un et de l’autre, et que chacun joue un rôle. C’est pourquoi, lorsque Jatin a découvert que Jaya n’était autre que Adraa aussi tot dans le livre, j’ai été hyper déçue. Ce plot pour le coup est vu et revu et revu, et a chaque fois qu’il arrive je me demande quand est-ce qu’on aura vraiment une scene ou les deux personnages autant l’un que l’autre seront choqués de qui se trouve vraiment en face d’eux.
Je m’imaginais déjà la scène, dans une grande salle, avec Naupure.
bref, tout le mensonge et le tintouin…. Toute cette tres longue partie entre Jatin qui l’apprend et Adraa ne m’a absolument pas plue.
Et ca m’a un peu gâché toute la fin.
Le plot twist a twisté pour moi, dans le sens ou des la deuxième ligne du roman jai annoté “cest Naupure le méchant” donc jusqu’à la fin je pensais que c’était lui
Je ne lirai pas la suite meme si l’univers était chouette.
Note :15,5/20
(J’allais mettre 17 au debut tsss)
Je n’avais jamais lu quelque chose de similaire au niveau de la magie, des fumées, des marques sur les bras etc, ainsi donc j’appréciais en découvrir toujours plus.
Mais ce que j’aimais par dessus tout, c’était le fait que les deux personnages ne savent pas l’identité de l’un et de l’autre, et que chacun joue un rôle. C’est pourquoi, lorsque Jatin a découvert que Jaya n’était autre que Adraa aussi tot dans le livre, j’ai été hyper déçue. Ce plot pour le coup est vu et revu et revu, et a chaque fois qu’il arrive je me demande quand est-ce qu’on aura vraiment une scene ou les deux personnages autant l’un que l’autre seront choqués de qui se trouve vraiment en face d’eux.
Je m’imaginais déjà la scène, dans une grande salle, avec Naupure.
bref, tout le mensonge et le tintouin…. Toute cette tres longue partie entre Jatin qui l’apprend et Adraa ne m’a absolument pas plue.
Et ca m’a un peu gâché toute la fin.
Le plot twist a twisté pour moi, dans le sens ou des la deuxième ligne du roman jai annoté “cest Naupure le méchant” donc jusqu’à la fin je pensais que c’était lui
Je ne lirai pas la suite meme si l’univers était chouette.
Note :15,5/20
(J’allais mettre 17 au debut tsss)
mcad92's review against another edition
2.0
This book is very predictable and the writing was mediocre in my opinion. I found I didn't really love any of the characters or care for them. I will not be continuing the series.
greylandreviews's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
ARC provided through NetGalley by Random House Children's(Delacorte Press) for honest review
The beginning was a little slow but the story did pick up and transported you into a Indian-inspired high fantasy world. The magic and world building were well done, they weren't bogged down with to much info dumping but I did feel that they did need to be more developed.
Adraa and Jatin's relationship throughout the whole book was a spiral. They had a secret identities they were "hiding" from each other, even though the other the person knew who they really were. Wouldn't say this was insta-love but it does put off that vibe.
This book does end in a cliffhanger and makes you want to read the next book right away.
Trigger Warning: death of a parent mentioned, sexism, fighting, violence, mention of drugs, and drug trafficking
ARC provided through NetGalley by Random House Children's(Delacorte Press) for honest review
The beginning was a little slow but the story did pick up and transported you into a Indian-inspired high fantasy world. The magic and world building were well done, they weren't bogged down with to much info dumping but I did feel that they did need to be more developed.
Adraa and Jatin's relationship throughout the whole book was a spiral. They had a secret identities they were "hiding" from each other, even though the other the person knew who they really were. Wouldn't say this was insta-love but it does put off that vibe.
This book does end in a cliffhanger and makes you want to read the next book right away.
Trigger Warning: death of a parent mentioned, sexism, fighting, violence, mention of drugs, and drug trafficking