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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Never in a million years did I think that I would find myself tearing up at the end of THE JASAD CROWN, but there I was, wiping away tears as I read the last few pages of Sylvia's and Arin's story. For all the violence and suffering interspersed throughout the story and the series, Sara Hashem remained constant in her focus on the key relationships that drive the action. The ending is simply the feather in the cap of a stellar story and a fantastic series.
Sylvia, Essiya, Malika, Suraira - whatever you call her, she remains one of my favorite heroines of all time. She is anything but ladylike. Quick to fight, quicker to anger, and utterly ruthless when it comes to defending her loved ones, she is not your everyday princess. She is wild and messy, prone to acting first and thinking second, and almost impossible to please. She prefers comfort over style, but there are still hints of softness within her that indicate how very different she could have been had her life taken another path. I love her in all her chaotic glory because she embodies the essence of who we should all be.
THE JASAD CROWN is all about Sylvia coming to terms with her destiny, and you are there for every emotion as she battles her way to acceptance, and it is quite the battle. Sylvia has always been emotional, using them as fuel for her actions. However, the internal struggle she faces as she comes to grips with what it means to be her people's queen is as painful as anything you will experience. Her acceptance of the crown requires a sacrifice that no one should have to choose. No matter how devoted she is to her people, nothing is surprising about the pain, fear, and mental anguish such a sacrifice causes her.
If THE JASAD CROWN is all about Sylvia's destiny, it is equally about Arin facing some hard truths about his entire upbringing. This makes sense since Arin has always been Sylvia's exact opposite in everything. From looks to personality to upbringing to fighting style, he is the yang to her yin. Even for readers, his scenes have always been calmer, a respite from the chaos surrounding Sylvia. His "think through everything ten thousand times and then act" philosophy is the antithesis of Sylvia's approach to life, and you appreciate the chances Arin's scenes afford you to let go of the myriad emotions Sylvia's scenes cause.
However, as Sylvia progresses down the path chosen for her by her people, cracks start to appear in Arin's facade. The glimpses of turmoil we see underneath his superior poker face are all the more tantalizing given his self-control. At the same time, as Arin starts to show hints of roiling emotions, Sylvia shuts herself off from the outside world, emotionally speaking. This role reversal, however slight, serves to emphasize the weight burdening both characters as they face decisions that no person should have to bear with long-reaching and unknown consequences.
Ms. Hashem holds nothing back in THE JASAD CROWN. The secrets unveiled and other various twists are literal game changers. I never saw a hint of any of the twists, and they surprised me as much as they did the characters. The action is hot and heavy, and those few scenes where Arin and Sylvia are together are equally hot and sensuous. The entirety of both books in the duology is a tapestry of secrets and forgotten truths, hidden identities, and deliberate lies woven in and around a gorgeous love story, beautiful friendships, and two separate but tangentially connected journeys of identity and purpose. The poignant ending I was not expecting is merely the proverbial icing on one of the best cakes I've had all year.
Sylvia, Essiya, Malika, Suraira - whatever you call her, she remains one of my favorite heroines of all time. She is anything but ladylike. Quick to fight, quicker to anger, and utterly ruthless when it comes to defending her loved ones, she is not your everyday princess. She is wild and messy, prone to acting first and thinking second, and almost impossible to please. She prefers comfort over style, but there are still hints of softness within her that indicate how very different she could have been had her life taken another path. I love her in all her chaotic glory because she embodies the essence of who we should all be.
THE JASAD CROWN is all about Sylvia coming to terms with her destiny, and you are there for every emotion as she battles her way to acceptance, and it is quite the battle. Sylvia has always been emotional, using them as fuel for her actions. However, the internal struggle she faces as she comes to grips with what it means to be her people's queen is as painful as anything you will experience. Her acceptance of the crown requires a sacrifice that no one should have to choose. No matter how devoted she is to her people, nothing is surprising about the pain, fear, and mental anguish such a sacrifice causes her.
If THE JASAD CROWN is all about Sylvia's destiny, it is equally about Arin facing some hard truths about his entire upbringing. This makes sense since Arin has always been Sylvia's exact opposite in everything. From looks to personality to upbringing to fighting style, he is the yang to her yin. Even for readers, his scenes have always been calmer, a respite from the chaos surrounding Sylvia. His "think through everything ten thousand times and then act" philosophy is the antithesis of Sylvia's approach to life, and you appreciate the chances Arin's scenes afford you to let go of the myriad emotions Sylvia's scenes cause.
However, as Sylvia progresses down the path chosen for her by her people, cracks start to appear in Arin's facade. The glimpses of turmoil we see underneath his superior poker face are all the more tantalizing given his self-control. At the same time, as Arin starts to show hints of roiling emotions, Sylvia shuts herself off from the outside world, emotionally speaking. This role reversal, however slight, serves to emphasize the weight burdening both characters as they face decisions that no person should have to bear with long-reaching and unknown consequences.
Ms. Hashem holds nothing back in THE JASAD CROWN. The secrets unveiled and other various twists are literal game changers. I never saw a hint of any of the twists, and they surprised me as much as they did the characters. The action is hot and heavy, and those few scenes where Arin and Sylvia are together are equally hot and sensuous. The entirety of both books in the duology is a tapestry of secrets and forgotten truths, hidden identities, and deliberate lies woven in and around a gorgeous love story, beautiful friendships, and two separate but tangentially connected journeys of identity and purpose. The poignant ending I was not expecting is merely the proverbial icing on one of the best cakes I've had all year.
⚔️ political intrigue fantasy with Egyptian culture
🔥 enemies to lovers
😫 the YEARNING!!
INFINITY STARS.
This was beautiful. AMAZING. Spectacular. I felt the angst and the love (platonic and romantic) and the happy and all the feels. This book unraveled me and put me back together anew. I'm not actually sure I'm fully together quite yet days after finishing.
Essiya's journey from being that lost/hidden heir and reluctant chosen one to rising to the mantle of bringing her people back together was beautiful. It wasn't easy. Especially with all the truths that came to light with Jasad's political history. And also with her own magic that she had to figure out and face herself since that was an almost unknown territory too. I felt for her 😭
Arin himself had his battles with his loyalty and duty to his kingdom and armies but also to himself. And the woman he loves who *should* be his enemy. He finds out things that he had stood for, that his country stood for had lost their way. He worked hard to fix the wrongs. His yearning and immense soul crushing love and devotion to Essiya BROKE ME.
🔥 enemies to lovers
😫 the YEARNING!!
INFINITY STARS.
This was beautiful. AMAZING. Spectacular. I felt the angst and the love (platonic and romantic) and the happy and all the feels. This book unraveled me and put me back together anew. I'm not actually sure I'm fully together quite yet days after finishing.
Essiya's journey from being that lost/hidden heir and reluctant chosen one to rising to the mantle of bringing her people back together was beautiful. It wasn't easy. Especially with all the truths that came to light with Jasad's political history. And also with her own magic that she had to figure out and face herself since that was an almost unknown territory too. I felt for her 😭
Arin himself had his battles with his loyalty and duty to his kingdom and armies but also to himself. And the woman he loves who *should* be his enemy. He finds out things that he had stood for, that his country stood for had lost their way. He worked hard to fix the wrongs. His yearning and immense soul crushing love and devotion to Essiya BROKE ME.
"Everything I have is hers to command. What she wills, I will create. What she hates, I will destroy. I am the weapon of the Malika, and it is her alone I pledge myself to."
I loved getting the POVs for these other characters besides Essiya. Especially Arin's POV. He's a brilliant brilliant mind but I also love his dry humor. He's funny without meaning to be. It was satisfying to see how much he's planned out since the first book and have it all work out. And he kept his cards close even to the reader with only little hints for us to put together as we read through.
The plot was amazing. I loved how it flowed and everything unraveled and slotted into place. The plot twists and suspense had me hooked. The world got more complex and it was beautifully done. I couldn't let go.
And when I say I cried. I CRIED 😭😭 things came full circle. The ending was just perfect. I'll never forget Arin and Essiya.
P.S. this is the second super smart Arin that I loved! Guess if the character is named Arin, I will not be disappointed.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5 🐦⬛
I truly haven’t felt such overwhelming emotions sense throne of glass. This book made me want this to be a 5 part series, but just a duology. I want to learn more about the gods, I want to see Essiya and Arin thrive , I want a second epilogue, I want to laugh, cry, throw this book across the room.
My emotions are as unstable as Essiyas magic after completing this Forreal. This was almost the penultimate 6 star read…the ending, while beautiful and gut wrenching just left a lot…like 10 years!?!?!? Give the couple a break, give us a royal wedding something anything 😩😭
But yeah…beautiful book, beautifully written. Arin is right up there with Rowan in book boyfriend land. And Sylvia/essiya filled the aelin gap I’ve had for a year.
I truly haven’t felt such overwhelming emotions sense throne of glass. This book made me want this to be a 5 part series, but just a duology. I want to learn more about the gods, I want to see Essiya and Arin thrive , I want a second epilogue, I want to laugh, cry, throw this book across the room.
My emotions are as unstable as Essiyas magic after completing this Forreal. This was almost the penultimate 6 star read…the ending, while beautiful and gut wrenching just left a lot…like 10 years!?!?!? Give the couple a break, give us a royal wedding something anything 😩😭
But yeah…beautiful book, beautifully written. Arin is right up there with Rowan in book boyfriend land. And Sylvia/essiya filled the aelin gap I’ve had for a year.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
emotional
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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
A quick caveat to my review: I did not read book 1 and book 2 together. I did not reread book 1 before picking up book 2. This likely colored my perception of book 2. I wish I did though, and plan to reread both because I know I missed stuff without having a firm grasp of book 1 at the time.
This book was an epic undertaking for a single book. However, I do think it was done well without feeling too long or too wordy. Don't get me wrong: it is long, pushing 700 pages. But it never -felt- long, if that makes sense. There was definitely more world building in this book, but I like that it built the world and the history as it was relevant instead of dumping it on us all at once.
I really loved watching the characters grow and deal with the revelations that came up in the story. And boy, were those some heavy topics. This book was one existential crisis after another. And I do think the author did a great job of illustrating the struggles the characters experienced. One thing I love about how this book was written was that Sylvia was always first person POV, but we got third person omniscient POV of other characters. That gave us a lot of insight into their emotional states throughout the story. Extremely well done and MUCH preferred over shifting first person POV.
My biggest complaint about this book is the multiple names for each character, especially those who were only ever referred to and never actually -in- the story. These characters could be referred to as their title, their rank, their name, their relationship status, or only as rulers of their respective territory. It made it difficult to keep track. On reread, I plan to keep notes handy to make sure I have everything straight, especially since the story covers essentially three timelines across 5 kingdoms.
That ending was D E V A S T A T I N G. I may never emotionally recover from the last 40 pages.
Honestly, I cannot recommend this series enough. The characters are incredible. The relationships feel genuine. The emotions are well written. The struggles are realistic within the world. Truly, a great series and I can't wait to read more from this author.
This book was an epic undertaking for a single book. However, I do think it was done well without feeling too long or too wordy. Don't get me wrong: it is long, pushing 700 pages. But it never -felt- long, if that makes sense. There was definitely more world building in this book, but I like that it built the world and the history as it was relevant instead of dumping it on us all at once.
I really loved watching the characters grow and deal with the revelations that came up in the story. And boy, were those some heavy topics. This book was one existential crisis after another. And I do think the author did a great job of illustrating the struggles the characters experienced. One thing I love about how this book was written was that Sylvia was always first person POV, but we got third person omniscient POV of other characters. That gave us a lot of insight into their emotional states throughout the story. Extremely well done and MUCH preferred over shifting first person POV.
My biggest complaint about this book is the multiple names for each character, especially those who were only ever referred to and never actually -in- the story. These characters could be referred to as their title, their rank, their name, their relationship status, or only as rulers of their respective territory. It made it difficult to keep track. On reread, I plan to keep notes handy to make sure I have everything straight, especially since the story covers essentially three timelines across 5 kingdoms.
That ending was D E V A S T A T I N G. I may never emotionally recover from the last 40 pages.
Honestly, I cannot recommend this series enough. The characters are incredible. The relationships feel genuine. The emotions are well written. The struggles are realistic within the world. Truly, a great series and I can't wait to read more from this author.