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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
2 days passed in this book, i wiiiiish the book was longer as i feel like we only just scrapped the surface of the depth this book could have held! Good times were had nonetheless
4.75 ★
"Then be with me," he said softly. "Let me worship you."
honestly this book was better than the first imo, i loveeeee cyrus!!
"Then be with me," he said softly. "Let me worship you."
honestly this book was better than the first imo, i loveeeee cyrus!!
Cyrussss! He’s so down bad I can’t help but root for him
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Great book. I love love LOVE Cyrus. He’s so UGHHHHH. I am more than excited for the next oneeee
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Super pleased with this series. I hate waiting for the next one to be ready from the library! I had doubts about Tahereh Mafi writing something as good as the Shatter Me series, but she is not here to disappoint!
Basically…
This book is structured to go back and forth between what’s going on with Alizeh and what’s happening with Kamran. Alizeh has just been captured by Cyrus and taken to Tulan where he expects her to become his wife and rule his kingdom. This is part of the deal he has made with the devil. Once she realizes the devil’s involvement, Alizeh is resistant to do anything that would be in line with the devil’s plans. Trying to figure out a way to escape, she is intrigued by Cyrus’ mother’s encouragement to help her murder her own son. Alizeh and Cyrus hate each other and spend most of their time insulting one another. But where there is hate, there is love. Underlying the distrust and hatred, they’re attracted to each other but won’t admit it. The more time they spend together the more compassion Alizeh has for Cyrus’ devil-predicament and the more alluring Cyrus’ clear beauty is to her.
Meanwhile, Kamran is left behind in Ardunia to process all the betrayal he has just experienced. His anger is at an all time high, sated only by his dichotomous love/hate feelings for Alizeh. The disaster that just happened leaves Kamran whirling, not knowing who he can trust. His place on the throne is in danger and his ousting looms imminent. He eventually gathers a rag-tag band of people seemingly loyal to him and willing to help him maintain his power and try to rescue Alizeh.
The end of the book sets us up for a reuniting of Alizeh and Kamran under unsteady circumstances and a lot of tension...
Basically…
This book is structured to go back and forth between what’s going on with Alizeh and what’s happening with Kamran. Alizeh has just been captured by Cyrus and taken to Tulan where he expects her to become his wife and rule his kingdom. This is part of the deal he has made with the devil. Once she realizes the devil’s involvement, Alizeh is resistant to do anything that would be in line with the devil’s plans. Trying to figure out a way to escape, she is intrigued by Cyrus’ mother’s encouragement to help her murder her own son. Alizeh and Cyrus hate each other and spend most of their time insulting one another. But where there is hate, there is love. Underlying the distrust and hatred, they’re attracted to each other but won’t admit it. The more time they spend together the more compassion Alizeh has for Cyrus’ devil-predicament and the more alluring Cyrus’ clear beauty is to her.
Meanwhile, Kamran is left behind in Ardunia to process all the betrayal he has just experienced. His anger is at an all time high, sated only by his dichotomous love/hate feelings for Alizeh. The disaster that just happened leaves Kamran whirling, not knowing who he can trust. His place on the throne is in danger and his ousting looms imminent. He eventually gathers a rag-tag band of people seemingly loyal to him and willing to help him maintain his power and try to rescue Alizeh.
The end of the book sets us up for a reuniting of Alizeh and Kamran under unsteady circumstances and a lot of tension...
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
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:
N/A
NO SPOILERS!
This book has truly truly captivated me: the flowery world building, the tension, the mystery surrounding cyrus and his past. It was all so enchanting, it rendered me speechless (AND accomplished putting an end to my months long slump.)
The prophecy trope being heavily incased into the plot and the theme of a tragic love triangle, eghh, was similiar to that of ouabh, and so if you loved that, you will definetly enjoy this series (maybe more) Additionally, it was so interesting to see the contrast between ardunia and tulan - the magical change in setting and finally divulge into alizehs character as a free individual, witnessing her full potential as a jinn. Speaking of her, I absolutely fell in love with her character even more than the last book, her grace, her empathy and intellect profoundly impressed me, making her one of the best fmcs i have read! She also ATE with her sassy comebacks to Cyrus, who reciprocated this energy excellently! Their frequent exchanges oscillated between unsaid, palpable yearning and explosive banter, which was entertaining and brilliantly portrayed. I also loved the exotic aesthetics of this world and how pleasing it was to read as a lover of Aladdin and persian folklore.
ps: HAZAN. I LOOOOVEEE him, he is perfect, just perfect, one of the best characters I've read, he is the epitome of loyalty and friendship and I love to seee how his and Alizehs relationship blooms. I think he's a vital character in this series and without him it would be void of, well, HIM. Although, I have a looming fear that he is one of "the five people to be sacrificed" for Alizeh to access her magic. This BETTER not be the case, even though i dont see anyone other than him willingly taking part :(
Anyways, him tearing down the prison was - AGHH. I might have a thing for jinn now..
Furthermore, CAN WE TALK ABOUT CYRUSSSS?!! THIS MAN. He is so truly, desperately tragic. Oh my. I cannot help but want to know more about him, how the mystery surrounding him as a character pulls me closer, to want to know his story, see him for what he is, why he is that way. Like Alizeh, I am struck by him indefinetly. The intensity to which they're relationship in this book has developed BY THE WAY. I was left giggling, yearning, gasping, physically doubling over - over all the unsaid that exists between them , the energy was crazy. To see her with Cyrus vs Kamran, I now know that Cyrus and her are by fate bound together, they were born for eachother, for the way she SEES Cyrus means she was only meant to be his. (even though i feel so bad for Kamran - I'm still routing for him to find his happiness though!) AHH YES, another thing is that I think something will happen with him and ms Huda, who is soo funny and deranged LOOL, the complete opposite of him, she certainly makes up for the lack of comedy in the book. However, Cyrus too contributes to this in the third book I am currently reading, as you get to witness his thoughts/ perceptions firsthand.
I also LOVE the little trio of omid, deen and ms huda, which initiates a "found family" trope in the book, that I absolutely adore!
Before I start rambling and saying anything more, here are some of my favourite quotes:
This book has truly truly captivated me: the flowery world building, the tension, the mystery surrounding cyrus and his past. It was all so enchanting, it rendered me speechless (AND accomplished putting an end to my months long slump.)
The prophecy trope being heavily incased into the plot and the theme of a tragic love triangle, eghh, was similiar to that of ouabh, and so if you loved that, you will definetly enjoy this series (maybe more) Additionally, it was so interesting to see the contrast between ardunia and tulan - the magical change in setting and finally divulge into alizehs character as a free individual, witnessing her full potential as a jinn. Speaking of her, I absolutely fell in love with her character even more than the last book, her grace, her empathy and intellect profoundly impressed me, making her one of the best fmcs i have read! She also ATE with her sassy comebacks to Cyrus, who reciprocated this energy excellently! Their frequent exchanges oscillated between unsaid, palpable yearning and explosive banter, which was entertaining and brilliantly portrayed. I also loved the exotic aesthetics of this world and how pleasing it was to read as a lover of Aladdin and persian folklore.
ps: HAZAN. I LOOOOVEEE him, he is perfect, just perfect, one of the best characters I've read, he is the epitome of loyalty and friendship and I love to seee how his and Alizehs relationship blooms. I think he's a vital character in this series and without him it would be void of, well, HIM. Although, I have a looming fear that he is one of "the five people to be sacrificed" for Alizeh to access her magic. This BETTER not be the case, even though i dont see anyone other than him willingly taking part :(
Anyways, him tearing down the prison was - AGHH. I might have a thing for jinn now..
Furthermore, CAN WE TALK ABOUT CYRUSSSS?!! THIS MAN. He is so truly, desperately tragic. Oh my. I cannot help but want to know more about him, how the mystery surrounding him as a character pulls me closer, to want to know his story, see him for what he is, why he is that way. Like Alizeh, I am struck by him indefinetly. The intensity to which they're relationship in this book has developed BY THE WAY. I was left giggling, yearning, gasping, physically doubling over - over all the unsaid that exists between them , the energy was crazy. To see her with Cyrus vs Kamran, I now know that Cyrus and her are by fate bound together, they were born for eachother, for the way she SEES Cyrus means she was only meant to be his. (even though i feel so bad for Kamran - I'm still routing for him to find his happiness though!) AHH YES, another thing is that I think something will happen with him and ms Huda, who is soo funny and deranged LOOL, the complete opposite of him, she certainly makes up for the lack of comedy in the book. However, Cyrus too contributes to this in the third book I am currently reading, as you get to witness his thoughts/ perceptions firsthand.
I also LOVE the little trio of omid, deen and ms huda, which initiates a "found family" trope in the book, that I absolutely adore!
Before I start rambling and saying anything more, here are some of my favourite quotes:
“God, you’re so beautiful,” he said, his smile vanishing. “Even when you lie to me.”
“Then be with me,” he said softly. “Let me worship you.”
“With all due offense, sire, please f--- off.”
“Her heart was beating so hard she could hardly hear her own thoughts. Cyrus had looked at her many times since she'd met him, and always with varying levels of intensity, but never quite like this. Never like he wanted to fall to his knees before her.”
“So beautiful I could hardly look at you, even in my dreams. I thought my mind had magicked you to life as an antidote to my nightmares. I never dared to believe you might exist in real life.”
“This was a habit Alizeh had mastered long ago. Cataloging moments of grace even in the midst of disaster often helped steady her mind"
"You are far more enchanting in real life. Far more exquisite." His voice shook just a little when he said, softly, "It is excruciating to be in your presence."
“Don’t be afraid of me, angel. I won’t hurt you. I’ll never hurt you.” Alizeh’s chest constricted, her heart frantic”
"I'd marry you tomorrow. And then I'd take you to bed. For weeks.”
"Angel"
IF YOU ARE A LOVER OF:
Magical, whimsical fantasy, intense romance, forced proximity, prophecies, complex character arcs and found family, THIS SERIES IS FOR YOU!