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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
These are a very ambivalent three stars. The premise is good, and there are some interesting ideas. I like the magic, and I was really intrigued by magic being used to twist the dreams of the gods to favor one particular nation/ruler. But I spent a lot of the book going back and forth between being entertained and annoyed. This reads as YA that was trying very hard not to seem like YA, without quite managing it. The main character was all over the place, one moment determined to fight back against her oppressors and the next resigned to her unhappy fate, with not a lot to justify the mood swings. It was very teenager-esque, which is why I guess this read so much to me like YA (and I can't remember at this point whether the MC was actually a teenager. She was young, but I can't recall her exact age). The third star specifically is for the narrative, which managed not to go in the stupid directions I thought it would given the MC's stupid decisions. The plot saved her from herself, I guess. But I'm not complaining because it's nice when a story, especially a YA-ish story like this, doesn't tread the same old tedious plot points.
I'm torn on whether I'll read the sequel, as it seems it's more from the POV of the MC's sister and I don't know if I care enough to find out what happened to her.
I'm torn on whether I'll read the sequel, as it seems it's more from the POV of the MC's sister and I don't know if I care enough to find out what happened to her.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Many recently published fantasy/romantasy books feel rushed, incomplete, and/or are poorly written. This book is clearly a labor of love from the author. It is fresh, ambitious, and interesting. The characters are well-developed and you care about them. My main issue is pacing. The first third of the book drug on to the point that I almost DNF'd it. The context given in the beginning to the characters and the plot didn't require the amount of time we spent there as a reader. The story didn't feel like it truly started until Amun entered. I think Mehr and Amun's relationship is the heart of the story. Their conflict, trauma, and struggle to protect one another is quite compelling. The villain of the story had so much potential as he was mysterious and beloved to many. I think the author could have played with this dynamic more instead of making him clearly awful and violent. I had two more moments of almost DNFing. It feels like the author beats an idea over your head so many times that it gets exhausting. Jeez, we get it- they made vows to each other. The ending of the book felt too convenient after all of the struggle. I will likely read the second book, largely due to Mehr and Amun's relationship.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this. I didn't like the vague rules of the magic, so when the main character it wasn't especially gripping. And the author used the word so much it kinda bugged me. (I put it in spoilers because maybe it won't bother you if you don't hear me point it out to you!)
But I loved the character stuff! I feel like Mehr grew so much over the course of the book. She went from reacting to acting, and her inner world was rich. It was fascinating to be in the POV of someone who is used to wearing veils and keeping her face/body covered and the value she gets from it.
Spoiler
saves the world after the Maha is killedSpoiler
shatteredBut I loved the character stuff! I feel like Mehr grew so much over the course of the book. She went from reacting to acting, and her inner world was rich. It was fascinating to be in the POV of someone who is used to wearing veils and keeping her face/body covered and the value she gets from it.
Fun world building.
Says it's a series, but feels like a complete story for me. Not sure if I'm intrigued enough to read book #2, but I also wouldn't rule it out.
Says it's a series, but feels like a complete story for me. Not sure if I'm intrigued enough to read book #2, but I also wouldn't rule it out.
I liked a lot about this book. I never had any issue with picturing the characters, places, or events in this. I think Suri has a very easy to read writing style that made the book, for me, not feel as long as it was.
I liked the lore, and the magic system. I'm interested in reading through the series further, to see the ramifications of the decisions made in the first book.
There are times where the sheltered yet rebellious character can be quite annoying, but I didn't feel that with Mehr. Her motives were easy to track and understand; even when she's not doing the "smart" thing, you get it.
The only thing I was sad about is I wanted more of Lalita. I found her to be the character I was most drawn to.
I liked the lore, and the magic system. I'm interested in reading through the series further, to see the ramifications of the decisions made in the first book.
There are times where the sheltered yet rebellious character can be quite annoying, but I didn't feel that with Mehr. Her motives were easy to track and understand; even when she's not doing the "smart" thing, you get it.
The only thing I was sad about is I wanted more of Lalita. I found her to be the character I was most drawn to.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have a lot of thoughts on this book but I loved how character driven the story was and the slow burn relationship that formed throughout the story! The expressions of both romantic and platonic/familial love in this book were so pure and I absolutely adored it.
Mehr seemed like a very real character, she’s soft hearted and trying to be a good person in a cruel world and situation and I loved the Amrithi’s relationship with the world around them and the rites they perform.
The Amrithi in particular were so interesting to me. I really liked the discussion of imperialism and the erasure of marginalized cultures as a result of that. Mehr laments at one point that the Empire doesn’t hate the Amrithi, they genuinely just don’t see them as people at all. I really loved how Mehr tries to stay connected to her Amrithi culture even though she has been raised in the heart of the empire. I really loved that she was able to reconnect with her roots throughout the story.
Mehr to me showed that a female character can be strong even if she is soft hearted and vulnerable. I feel like a big opinion I see in book circles is that a female character isn’t strong per-say unless she is snarky, ruthless, and cutthroat. Well, Mehr isn’t really snarky. Or ruthless. Or cutthroat. She’s scared, she’s sorrowful, she’s sheltered, but she learns so much about herself and what’s she’s capable of throughout the book. She becomes so much more sure of herself and the power that she truly holds and I loved that for her.
Also I know people get annoyed by the message of the power of love, but it was so beautiful in this book. It is after all the most hopeful thing out there. It drives us to make so many different decisions. Mehr is guided by love: love for her sister, Amun, her heritage, and for herself. Her love bleeds out through the pages and Suri did an excellent job portraying that and revealing Mehr to us.
Now, if you DO want ruthless and more morally gray characters, Siri’s next book, the Jasmine Throne, follows a Princess and her girlfriend burning kingdoms and fighting oppressors and I will deifinitey be tuning in! It was just nice with this book to have a softer story at the forefront, but the Jasmine Throne sounds awesome too!!! I need a badass story every once in a while😅
The villain in the story is one of the most terrifying I’ve read about. I felt a deep sense of dread anytime they were in the story so that’s I know the characterization for the Maha was very well done. The Maha’s followers had a very creepy cult vibe that also shook me. The Maha actually reminds me a lot of Horde Prime from SheRa! Very similar vibes.
I absolutely loved hearing about dream fire and the descriptions for it were so ethereal. After reading this book I want to experience a dreamfire storm for myself!
The middle of the book does get a bit slow, but if you hang on until the last third, it’s amazing and totally makes up for any stagnant parts in the middle. Again, this is character driven and while there is a very interesting plot, the main story lies in the characters and the ways in which they make a path for themselves.
Which brings me to the main relationship in the book. Mehr and Amun are one of the greatest OTPs that I’ve read about. I absolutely loved their characterization and the slow burn between them that turned from mutual distrust to undying devotion. It was so compelling and beautiful to read about. I will be thinking about them for a while!!
Although this book is marketed as the first in a duology, I would go into it with a stand-alone mindset. The main storyline is wrapped up in this book and it does not end on a cliffhanger. The second book follows Mehr’s younger sister, Arwa, years later. I definitely plan on reading it because I cannot get enough of this universe. The second book definitely seems more like a spinoff.
Overall, I really loved this book and it’s very much worth reading :)
Mehr seemed like a very real character, she’s soft hearted and trying to be a good person in a cruel world and situation and I loved the Amrithi’s relationship with the world around them and the rites they perform.
The Amrithi in particular were so interesting to me. I really liked the discussion of imperialism and the erasure of marginalized cultures as a result of that. Mehr laments at one point that the Empire doesn’t hate the Amrithi, they genuinely just don’t see them as people at all. I really loved how Mehr tries to stay connected to her Amrithi culture even though she has been raised in the heart of the empire. I really loved that she was able to reconnect with her roots throughout the story.
Mehr to me showed that a female character can be strong even if she is soft hearted and vulnerable. I feel like a big opinion I see in book circles is that a female character isn’t strong per-say unless she is snarky, ruthless, and cutthroat. Well, Mehr isn’t really snarky. Or ruthless. Or cutthroat. She’s scared, she’s sorrowful, she’s sheltered, but she learns so much about herself and what’s she’s capable of throughout the book. She becomes so much more sure of herself and the power that she truly holds and I loved that for her.
Also I know people get annoyed by the message of the power of love, but it was so beautiful in this book. It is after all the most hopeful thing out there. It drives us to make so many different decisions. Mehr is guided by love: love for her sister, Amun, her heritage, and for herself. Her love bleeds out through the pages and Suri did an excellent job portraying that and revealing Mehr to us.
Now, if you DO want ruthless and more morally gray characters, Siri’s next book, the Jasmine Throne, follows a Princess and her girlfriend burning kingdoms and fighting oppressors and I will deifinitey be tuning in! It was just nice with this book to have a softer story at the forefront, but the Jasmine Throne sounds awesome too!!! I need a badass story every once in a while😅
The villain in the story is one of the most terrifying I’ve read about. I felt a deep sense of dread anytime they were in the story so that’s I know the characterization for the Maha was very well done. The Maha’s followers had a very creepy cult vibe that also shook me. The Maha actually reminds me a lot of Horde Prime from SheRa! Very similar vibes.
I absolutely loved hearing about dream fire and the descriptions for it were so ethereal. After reading this book I want to experience a dreamfire storm for myself!
The middle of the book does get a bit slow, but if you hang on until the last third, it’s amazing and totally makes up for any stagnant parts in the middle. Again, this is character driven and while there is a very interesting plot, the main story lies in the characters and the ways in which they make a path for themselves.
Which brings me to the main relationship in the book. Mehr and Amun are one of the greatest OTPs that I’ve read about. I absolutely loved their characterization and the slow burn between them that turned from mutual distrust to undying devotion. It was so compelling and beautiful to read about. I will be thinking about them for a while!!
Although this book is marketed as the first in a duology, I would go into it with a stand-alone mindset. The main storyline is wrapped up in this book and it does not end on a cliffhanger. The second book follows Mehr’s younger sister, Arwa, years later. I definitely plan on reading it because I cannot get enough of this universe. The second book definitely seems more like a spinoff.
Overall, I really loved this book and it’s very much worth reading :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
This was a super fun book! I enjoyed the story and the characters, the romance was SUPER well developed, and the pacing was excellent. A really strong debut and I can't wait to read more of Tasha Suri's books in the future!
This book is beautiful. It didn't hook me at first, but I gave it another few chapters and I'm so glad I did. It's the most uplifting and hopeful thing I've read in a long time. Cannot recommend it enough.