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bear_ridge_tarot's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
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
Naborhi has big dreams, bigger than the others in her little village. She is 16, coming of age, and wants more than anything to travel the world and not end up as some boy's wife. When she accidentally bonds with a mysterious creature while out in the woods, her predictable life gets turned upside down. Naborhi must decide if it is the best or worst thing to ever happen to her as she answers the call of a god not her own and journeys with the rival kingdom's Oracle's son.
This book was written so beautifully that I devoured it in one sitting. While two nations at war is nothing new, the way that the author wove West African and Urhobo folklore into the story gave life to tired tropes. The mythology is alive in the imagery, flowing seamlessly from one part to the next. The only thing I craved with this book was more. I would have loved more world-building, more magic explained, and more of the mysterious forces guiding Naborhi and her cohorts along their journey.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to see the world through the eyes of a dreamer, and who loves adventures seeped in magical meddling.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy through NetGally. It does not affect my review in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and War
tmdreads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I received an Arc from NetGally but all opinions are my own.
A story of Naborhi, who wants for a different life then the traditional life of a women in the Kingdom of Kokori- marriage and making a family. It is her time to go through her rites of passage and become betrothed but she wants freedom. She dreams of a different life but could not imagine the twist her life takes when she encounters a spirit fox only she can see.
This starts as a slow pace story, a story of a regular life that turns in to an extraordinary one touched by spirits. The plot gets much more rushed at for the last third of the book as it moves fast through the quest Naborh must complete. Naborh is endearing and the world is very interesting.
It reads like a young YA book although the protagonist is 16 and being prepared to be married the writing reads on the younger end of YAFantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny and War
Minor: Animal death
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