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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
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.
I often pick up books based on beautiful covers and interesting blurbs, but it's rare for me that they meet all the expectations I had for them. This book did it! I went in wanting to be swept away to a fantasy-world full of lush silks, deserts, magic, suspense, intrigue and romance and Ms. Suri delivered on all fronts.
I also found myself really enjoying Mehr as a character. A strong female heroine who doesn't achieve that strength by kicking ass and sword-wielding, but by using her observational and people skills to form plans and cultivate allies. Amun was a tragic and swoon-worthy love interest who's feelings for Mehr were genuine and sweet as well.
Also, have to mention how much I enjoyed the central theme of what we sacrifice for the family we love. It really helped drive the story home.
My only real critique is the inclusion of a few pages with POVs that felt super unneeded. I honestly could've skipped them and it wouldn't have done anything to change the story.
I also found myself really enjoying Mehr as a character. A strong female heroine who doesn't achieve that strength by kicking ass and sword-wielding, but by using her observational and people skills to form plans and cultivate allies. Amun was a tragic and swoon-worthy love interest who's feelings for Mehr were genuine and sweet as well.
Also, have to mention how much I enjoyed the central theme of what we sacrifice for the family we love. It really helped drive the story home.
My only real critique is the inclusion of a few pages with POVs that felt super unneeded. I honestly could've skipped them and it wouldn't have done anything to change the story.
Too much politics / not enough magic. The protagonist didn’t grip me for some reason; I was bored.
dark
tense
slow-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
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was so beautifully descriptive that it took me ages to realize that nothing was happening aside from listening to the main character be abused, cry, worry, and sob. She made a plan fairly early to fix everything and implemented it at the end of the book, so everything on the middle was just abuse and world-building that somehow didn't actually explain much of anything about the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Rape, Sexism
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:
Complicated
Ugh such a beautiful story! Compelling! Mysterious! Read it!
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The pacing was a little uneven, but otherwise a fabulous book.