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riaz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
pommederinette's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
horizon_9's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Touraine was stolen from her home country Qazāl as a young child and raised to be a soldier in the army of Balladaire, the empire that colonized Qazāl. Right from the first chapter this book manages to make you feel the conflict within Touraine of belonging to two worlds and thus essentially not belonging anywhere at all, except maybe with the other soldiers that were stolen away as children.
Most of the things that frustrated me about this book, can probably be explained by Touraine being a character who is very much pulled back and forth between her loyalty to the country that raised her and her loyalty to the rebels fighting for a free Qazāl, one of which is her birth mother . For example, I disliked the sort of romance Touraine had with the other viewpoint character, Luca, princess of Balladaire. Though I understood that Touraines feelings towards Balladaire were not all negative, I still found it hard to believe, she would want to get close to someone like Luca. Moreover, I felt it was unrealistic for Luca to have so close contact with someone like Touraine, her being a princess and all, it felt a bit forced and went against the established rules of this fantasy world.
On the back of this book there is quote saying this book is about heroism and heroics, but I don't agree with that. This book is about colonialism and there are no heroes in this story. It shows how a society build from both the invaders and the invaded, is inherently unfair and unequal. The best example for this given in the book is how Luca at one point tries to offer Touraine her freedom, as if freedom is hers to give.
At this point I feel I must mention that Luca has her own struggles with the role she has to play, and she is mostly well meaning, but it takes her some time to realise that there really is no right path forward, except for her to withdraw from Qazāl, and even that brings its own problems with it, because if a country has been under imperial rule for so long, what will happen to it if that whole structure is suddenly taken away?
There are a lot of unlikeable characters in this book, most of them luckily get what they deserve. A lot of blood and guts get spilled in the dry sand. Hangings are the order of the day. The rebellion escalates until the city quite literally explodes. This is definitely not the kind of book you want if you are looking for something light to read, but I think it is one of those books that holds up a mirror and forces you to think about its themes.
Most of the things that frustrated me about this book, can probably be explained by Touraine being a character who is very much pulled back and forth between her loyalty to the country that raised her and her loyalty to the rebels fighting for a free Qazāl,
On the back of this book there is quote saying this book is about heroism and heroics, but I don't agree with that. This book is about colonialism and there are no heroes in this story. It shows how a society build from both the invaders and the invaded, is inherently unfair and unequal. The best example for this given in the book is how Luca at one point tries to offer Touraine her freedom, as if freedom is hers to give.
At this point I feel I must mention that Luca has her own struggles with the role she has to play, and she is mostly well meaning, but it takes her some time to realise that there really is no right path forward, except for her to withdraw from Qazāl, and even that brings its own problems with it, because if a country has been under imperial rule for so long, what will happen to it if that whole structure is suddenly taken away?
There are a lot of unlikeable characters in this book, most of them luckily get what they deserve. A lot of blood and guts get spilled in the dry sand. Hangings are the order of the day. The rebellion escalates until the city quite literally explodes. This is definitely not the kind of book you want if you are looking for something light to read, but I think it is one of those books that holds up a mirror and forces you to think about its themes.
einaselesnia's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Somehow I didn't feel the book from the beginning. I didn't dislike it and I finished in a hope, a search to find something but as I continued I only found more things to get a bit annoyed with. How many times it was said sweat, they are sweating, sweat smelled etc. I was like you don't have to repeat it, we are in a dessert heat is logical. But even with the rose waters and all still sweat. Also the uncertainty and doubts at every turn of the road for both FMC are annoying. At one point I was like good you finally decided just to go to this state of mind in the end. Wouldn't suggest this book to anyone, will not read the next book.
elizabethlovecows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
this book gave me whiplash
lesleymac18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Engaging story set in a world that doesn’t care if gay people exist but a powerful empire still colonizes other countries and is very racist! Honestly in many ways we’re getting closer to this being the new normal in some places. “We love gay people AND we want to steal oil from countries we don’t belong in!!! Love is love!”
The allegory that is using this fantasy world to critique the real world is clear but not heavy handed. The character development and the ability to show the perspectives of both the colonizer and the colonized is not new but this is less “white saviour deciding to change her mind and be kinda nice” and more “yah we’re glad you admitted your mistakes but we’re not gonna give you a prize for admitting it”. Adding a love story into the mix makes having both their perspectives even more wild and stressful to witness.
Primary and only real critique of this series so far is the pacing is both slow/medium and also somehow stressful. Almost no good things happen. Which in many ways is not surprising when dealing with a story that focuses on colonization and rebellion. But I could have used a little reprieve between some of the awful stuff somehow? Not a skill-based critique just a personal preference though. The writing is fantastic.
The allegory that is using this fantasy world to critique the real world is clear but not heavy handed. The character development and the ability to show the perspectives of both the colonizer and the colonized is not new but this is less “white saviour deciding to change her mind and be kinda nice” and more “yah we’re glad you admitted your mistakes but we’re not gonna give you a prize for admitting it”. Adding a love story into the mix makes having both their perspectives even more wild and stressful to witness.
Primary and only real critique of this series so far is the pacing is both slow/medium and also somehow stressful. Almost no good things happen. Which in many ways is not surprising when dealing with a story that focuses on colonization and rebellion. But I could have used a little reprieve between some of the awful stuff somehow? Not a skill-based critique just a personal preference though. The writing is fantastic.
hasegawataizo's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
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? Yes
3.75
tessad96's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dragonwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
After being taken from her home as a child and forced to join the army, Tourraine is finally returning with her troop of Sands, other soldiers who had been conscripted as children. But Qazal is no longer home. Tourraine’s home is Balladair, and she’s determined to prove herself to the Balladairan General who raised her so that she could earn the rank as Captain and lead the troop of Sands herself. All Tourraine wants is to prove that Qazali can prove their worth to Balladair and earn their respect, so she could be just like her hero, General Cantic.
Princess Luca is trying to prove that she can be a good ruler, despite having a mangled leg that requires a cane to walk. With her uncle sitting as regent on her throne, Luca sees the Qazali colonies as her chance to prove herself. She is determined to put down the Qazali rebels peacefully, and show that Balladair and Qazal can work together.
An attempted assassination brings these two women together and forces them both to confront the problems of the empire they both love.
This book was really SO good! It takes the loyal Tourraine and drags her down to the rebellion where she can see and internalize the damage Balladair’s colonization has wrought on her people. While she, at first, thinks that Luca’s peace talks can work, Tourraine knows how badly the Qazali have been hurt and mistreated, and knows that they’ll take any excuse to fight back. Meanwhile, Luca is making great strides to improve the Qazali’s lives, but she is so desperate for her throne that she makes compromises that she shouldn’t. It’s a delicate powerplay with her, though there is a genuine desire to do good and serve her people well. I thought Luca and Tourraine had excellent chemistry together, though I can’t really pinpoint a “moment” where I could see that they fell in love. Luca definitely makes more concessions for Tourraine than Tourraine does for Luca, but considering the power imbalance at play, I think it’s a good thing. And the book has a good ending! Solid sequel bait without ending on a cliff hanger. (We’ll see if we can say the same for book 2.) Highly recommend!
emma123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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