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isabelledonahue's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
liralen's review
3.0
Well-researched look at one girl's life in 1840s Ethiopia. I know very little about that era, so for a while this read a lot earlier to me—1600s? I have no idea. But I'm willing to trust in the research here.
Nice sense of growth for Saba, who starts as a frightened child and evolves over the course of the book to become first a rather spoiled, ignorant royal and then, gradually, a determined maker-of-her-own-fate. Also a nice sense of her putting her lessons to use.
I did wish we'd seen more than just this slice of life—you're definitely left with the impression that her story is really only just starting.
Nice sense of growth for Saba, who starts as a frightened child and evolves over the course of the book to become first a rather spoiled, ignorant royal and then, gradually, a determined maker-of-her-own-fate. Also a nice sense of her putting her lessons to use.
I did wish we'd seen more than just this slice of life—you're definitely left with the impression that her story is really only just starting.
claudine2's review
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
An interesting historical fiction book about a young girl in 1846 Ethiopia. It is definitely an area of the world that I know very little about.
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, War, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
sarahmariespectrum's review
4.0
I always loved these books growing up and I'm happy to be reading/rereading the ones on my shelf. One thing that I love about the Girls of Many Lands series is the fact that the writers put extensive research into the culture they are writing, as well as the time period. I love reading and feeling like I'm then and there. With Saba, this was the case.
jersy's review
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I didn't find the way this book is written especially engaging and Saba, the protagonist, is mostly passive throuought the story. I liked the Ethopian influences, however, and that it turns into court intruige.
The author does a good job of establishing Saba's life in hiding and her relationships, to contrast it with her experiences in Gondar. For me, the content of the book was really interesting, but I don't know if it would excite the intendet audience enough.
The author does a good job of establishing Saba's life in hiding and her relationships, to contrast it with her experiences in Gondar. For me, the content of the book was really interesting, but I don't know if it would excite the intendet audience enough.
legxleg's review
adventurous
dark
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? No
3.0
emlickliter's review
4.0
Saba: Under the Hyena's Foot by Jane Kurtz -- This series is full of gutsy young women that give you a glimpse into their world and what they wish they could change. Happy Reading!
annewithabook's review
3.0
Out of all the Girls of Many Lands I've read, this is one of the least interesting to me. I loved learning about Ethiopian history, especially during such a turbulent time, but the plot was rather boring. Besides a few big scenes, the plot feels stagnant, as do the characters. I liked Saba, but she was underdeveloped. Yes, I know this is a children's book, but that does not give it an excuse to not developed the characters a bit more.
arisbookcorner's review
4.0
The descriptions of Ethiopia were evocative, I could see everything the author was describing, feel the heat and imagine what it felt like to hold amber. I read this book in 6th grade I believe and it really opened my eyes to the fact that Africa had had royalty. And for that this book will always have a special place in my heart. From there I sought out more books about African royalty since that was obviously not something I was going to learn in school (maybe a Cleopatra or Hatshepsut mention). I initially thought I would re-read this book for the blog but I accept the fact that I probably won't. I do however hope to save this book. The cover's lovely too.
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