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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
Please, please tell me there’s a sequel. There has to be a sequel!!
Soo.. Beasts Made of Night is a Nigerian inspired fantasy. This is something absolutely new and unique. Although at first I had some trouble fully understanding some new words, it was an awesome read and I enjoyed every bit of it.
The story plays on something that not many people give much thought to, I, myself never thought about it like this. Sins. I was entranced by this beautiful, dark world where sin-beasts are summoned from people -sinners- and are devoured by Aki -sin-eaters- . The world somewhat reflects on our reality, mainly the part where people commit sinful acts and they just ignore it and blame it on others.
The concept of the story is simply amazing. The main character, along with other characters as well, are just wonderful. The world and it’s darkness, the culture.. everything, everything is amazing. It was fast-paced, which made even harder to put down. Although, the actual plot, started to unwind after about half the book. But that doesn’t mean it’s not good, actually I think it was very good. First you had the chance to understand this new world and see it unravel, with its new words, its rules and its morals, then you moved on the shocking plot.
Soo.. Beasts Made of Night is a Nigerian inspired fantasy. This is something absolutely new and unique. Although at first I had some trouble fully understanding some new words, it was an awesome read and I enjoyed every bit of it.
The story plays on something that not many people give much thought to, I, myself never thought about it like this. Sins. I was entranced by this beautiful, dark world where sin-beasts are summoned from people -sinners- and are devoured by Aki -sin-eaters- . The world somewhat reflects on our reality, mainly the part where people commit sinful acts and they just ignore it and blame it on others.
The concept of the story is simply amazing. The main character, along with other characters as well, are just wonderful. The world and it’s darkness, the culture.. everything, everything is amazing. It was fast-paced, which made even harder to put down. Although, the actual plot, started to unwind after about half the book. But that doesn’t mean it’s not good, actually I think it was very good. First you had the chance to understand this new world and see it unravel, with its new words, its rules and its morals, then you moved on the shocking plot.
Despite some odd pacing and development of the story, Beasts Made of Night is an interesting YA fantasy that tackles themes of justice, guilt, and power enmeshed in a unique world of mages and commoners, sin eaters and royals. An unwinding journey through this place of sin beasts and ancient lore builds into a larger conspiracy and a dramatic conclusion setting the stage for the story still to come.
This was the first YA novel written by a Nigerian author and it won’t be my last. Though, I am not familiar with the culture reading this story made me want to know more and learn more. Taj is an awesome protagonist. He kept me completely engaged. I enjoyed watching him flourish. Despite the odds, he remained determined to do what was right and necessary. Even at the end of the story, he made the right decision after learning the truth. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book because that ending left me wanting more.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was ~fine~
Interesting concept and story generally. Like many others, my biggest gripe was the pacing of the story. We made it to 50% in (at least) and I wasn't sure where the story was going. Around page 250 we finally get an answer to the world building that got skipped over at the start. And the last 50 pages kind of came out of nowhere and the sense of time was nonsensical (yes, it's fantasy but also, it should still follow some rule).
Some of the characterizations were inconsistent- primarily our main character Taj, but I liked what the author was trying to do with the characters
Interesting concept and story generally. Like many others, my biggest gripe was the pacing of the story. We made it to 50% in (at least) and I wasn't sure where the story was going. Around page 250 we finally get an answer to the world building that got skipped over at the start. And the last 50 pages kind of came out of nowhere and the sense of time was nonsensical (yes, it's fantasy but also, it should still follow some rule).
Some of the characterizations were inconsistent- primarily our main character Taj, but I liked what the author was trying to do with the characters
DNF @ 57%
I really wanted to love this one, but the only things going for this book were the unique and amazing premise and a seriously fantastic narrator.
I thought by listening to it on audio I would be able to get into it - Prentice Onayemi has a beautiful, lyrical and lilting voice that I could listen to all day - but in the end, even his magical voice wasn't enough to keep me interested.
The premise was AMAZING - I loved the idea of the aki and the sin-beasts they ate, which manifested as physical tattoos on their skin. It was seriously wicked! I also really loved the Nigerian culture. But sadly there was nothing else to this book. There was zero plot whatsoever - zero anything, really, to keep you entertained or make the book engaging at all. The prose was bland, the characters were bland, and there was zero emotion behind anything. In fact, bland is the word that I would use to describe this book. Hence I was bored out of my mind, even via audio. This book had great potential, but sadly it just fell flat for me.
I really wanted to love this one, but the only things going for this book were the unique and amazing premise and a seriously fantastic narrator.
I thought by listening to it on audio I would be able to get into it - Prentice Onayemi has a beautiful, lyrical and lilting voice that I could listen to all day - but in the end, even his magical voice wasn't enough to keep me interested.
The premise was AMAZING - I loved the idea of the aki and the sin-beasts they ate, which manifested as physical tattoos on their skin. It was seriously wicked! I also really loved the Nigerian culture. But sadly there was nothing else to this book. There was zero plot whatsoever - zero anything, really, to keep you entertained or make the book engaging at all. The prose was bland, the characters were bland, and there was zero emotion behind anything. In fact, bland is the word that I would use to describe this book. Hence I was bored out of my mind, even via audio. This book had great potential, but sadly it just fell flat for me.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this as an eARC through Netgalley.
Taj, an aki, unwillingly battles and eats sin beasts. The royalty of his country must be free of sins, in effort to accomplish this, Taj is tasked with training a new generation of aki. How can Taj save others from experiencing his fate and stop the royalty?
This was a fresh new fantasy novel, with Nigerian influences. While the story became dry at times, the uniqueness of the characters and story will keep the interest of the reader.
Taj, an aki, unwillingly battles and eats sin beasts. The royalty of his country must be free of sins, in effort to accomplish this, Taj is tasked with training a new generation of aki. How can Taj save others from experiencing his fate and stop the royalty?
This was a fresh new fantasy novel, with Nigerian influences. While the story became dry at times, the uniqueness of the characters and story will keep the interest of the reader.
A fascinating set of pieces - setting, character, magic/world mechanics - and yet I felt and odd remove from the story the entire time. I was not able to immerse myself.
I thought the first part of the book, though slow, was really well done with a great premise, folk lore and sin-eating excitement. About halfway through its like the author didnt know how to finish the story and started to throw a bunch of random scenarios together [working for the king, falling in love in a matter of pages, training new recruits, joining a rebellion]. It all felt disjointed and jumbled together without real understanding of where the events will lead. I struggled to finish and skipped to the end just to be done.