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nerp's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
The best YA fantasy I’ve read since Blood Debts/Blood Justice, The Scapegracers, and The Buried and The Bound. Why isn’t this the dragon book people are imprinting on?? Sibling love is the center of this book, and while I have some small/inconsequential worldbuilding questions, it’s phenomenal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Colonisation, Racism, and Death
zombiezami's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
It took a little effort to get into this, but the story started to flow about 25 percent of the way in. I liked the characters quite a bit, especially Ilora. I think the book could have started stronger if it hadn't yada yada-ed the whole war that took place before the book. There was a lot of exposition that could have been more engaging in a show, not tell model.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Death, Xenophobia, War, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Blood, Gore, Murder, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Child death, Alcohol, and Cursing
alfarmer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
I loved the story and I can’t wait for the next book! It does a great job exploring different cultures and religions interacting and all the challenges that come with it. Especially in the back drop of colonization and citizens not agreeing with the choices of their government. My only issue was that the characters were too young for me to truly believe the story. I do think that the young was of the characters is a central part of the story but I wish they would have been aged up a little more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Colonisation
shannahtan's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
fast-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? No
4.25
I listened to this book on audio. I wish there was a glossary where I could see the names and places written out. It’s considered YA, but I think it’s still well suited for adults.
Things I liked:
Things I liked:
- Rooted in Jamaican history
- Sapphic slow burn romance
- Elements of demisexuality
- Focused heavily on familial love and friendship
- Characters reside in a gray area that challenges your sense of morality
Criticisms
- Plot was a bit predictable
- Characters didn’t have a ton of depth. Faron as the Childe Empyrean continuously made rash decisions. Elara was trying to find herself and escape her sister’s shadow.
Would recommend for fantasy readers who like to be dropped into the story and figure it out as you go. There’s not a ton of world building, and the story takes place in a post-war world where you get details of the last war slowly throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racial slurs and Slavery
hellodebbies's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Loved it !
It is fast-paced, the plot is fluid and the characters are really great (well I admit sometimes they make us roll our eyes)
I really liked the contrast of the two sisters, on one hand we have Faron who is quite selfish and behaves like a kid (which can be understandable since she went to war at twelve 💀). On the other hand, we have Elara who is the very definition of the older sister, very serious and altruistic.
The romance (which are not the main point of the book) were good 😌 Kamilah knows how to write romance.
The idea of following the story after the "main" eventsthe first strategy, to conquer and to wake the dragon+Gael, failed but the commander found another way to reach his goal even if it took more time was a refreshing idea and was well executed. Not once, I felt lost.
Super interesting villain, especially with the gods and the parallels of the children Empyrean is interesting as well
We have to admit that if the gods had told the truth, BUT REALLY ALL THE TRUTH, Faron would have made better choices
It is fast-paced, the plot is fluid and the characters are really great (well I admit sometimes they make us roll our eyes)
I really liked the contrast of the two sisters, on one hand we have Faron who is quite selfish and behaves like a kid (which can be understandable since she went to war at twelve 💀). On the other hand, we have Elara who is the very definition of the older sister, very serious and altruistic.
The romance (which are not the main point of the book) were good 😌 Kamilah knows how to write romance.
The idea of following the story after the "main" events
Super interesting villain, especially with the gods and the parallels of the children Empyrean is interesting as well
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, Colonisation, Racial slurs, and Violence
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
When her sister becomes unexpectedly bonded to an enemy dragon and the only solution proposed is to kill her, Faron must make difficult choices that will shape not only her and her sister's lives, but the fate of the world, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Colonisation, and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Death
readingelli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Bullying
abby_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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 had a wonderful time reading this book. I liked that it started post-independence war in a time of unsettled peace while everyone was trying to heal from the previous war. The characters were good and I adored their relationships. I liked the pacing and the plot was entertaining.
I had a wonderful time reading this book. I liked that it started post-independence war in a time of unsettled peace while everyone was trying to heal from the previous war. The characters were good and I adored their relationships. I liked the pacing and the plot was entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Colonisation, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Death, and Blood
Minor: Racial slurs and Panic attacks/disorders
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
First of all, I didn't realize this was about dragons until I looked closer at the cover, and I'm not mad about it! Always here for a good fantasy featuring dragons. And this is a pretty solid debut! The strongest aspect of this book is definitely the relationship between Faron and Elara and their dedication to each other. Though they are apart for a lot of the book, we can still feel that strong bond between them.
The world building was also pretty well done! The magic system felt unique, and I am definitely interested in seeing where it goes next. Especially with that ending!
However, some of the writing didn't quite feel as smooth as it should be, though the book definitely hit its stride in the last third of the story. Cole is a promising debut author, and I can't wait to see her grow from here!
The world building was also pretty well done! The magic system felt unique, and I am definitely interested in seeing where it goes next. Especially with that ending!
However, some of the writing didn't quite feel as smooth as it should be, though the book definitely hit its stride in the last third of the story. Cole is a promising debut author, and I can't wait to see her grow from here!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Racism
Minor: Slavery, Racial slurs, and Panic attacks/disorders
chellyfishing's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation and War