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mellamaron's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Intisar Khanani is a wizard. I accept this as fact. How else can she give us a 160 page book that hits all the right notes: gives us ample world-building that builds upon itself as the story grows and is not a word dump, characters that I love and adore and want to be best friends with, and a succinct plot that is full of action and intensity and a dash of witty dialogue.
Because she. Is. A. Wizard.
I LOVED our sassy little 15yo, Hitomi. I instantly connected with her and her troubles, I loved watching everything she did. She was a raging fire of sassy dialogue that had me giggling but she was also smart and kind. I am so excited to read more of her.
And I can’t say much about the other characters but gosh, I looooooved them all. Hint hint wink wink. I want moreeeee.
Definitely check this one out if you liked Thorn and Dauntless Path. Khanani is so good at making us readers FEEL and I adore her for it.
Because she. Is. A. Wizard.
I LOVED our sassy little 15yo, Hitomi. I instantly connected with her and her troubles, I loved watching everything she did. She was a raging fire of sassy dialogue that had me giggling but she was also smart and kind. I am so excited to read more of her.
And I can’t say much about the other characters but gosh, I looooooved them all. Hint hint wink wink. I want moreeeee.
Definitely check this one out if you liked Thorn and Dauntless Path. Khanani is so good at making us readers FEEL and I adore her for it.
singerji's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
thelibraryskeeper's review against another edition
5.0
After reading The Bone Knife I decided to dive right in to the next book by Intisar on my "To-Read" list. I clearly made the right choice. Sunbolt had me turning the pages just as fast as The Bone Knife, and left me wanting so much more when I finished. I am already thrilled to know that there is a second book in the series that I am most definitely reading next. I devoured this book. I wanted to read it all in one sitting, but sleepiness got the best of me and I was forced to finish today rather than last night.
Intisar is an ABSOLUTELY brilliant storyteller and I cannot wait to see what is next for Hitomi. If you are thinking about reading this book, stop thinking, and read!
Intisar is an ABSOLUTELY brilliant storyteller and I cannot wait to see what is next for Hitomi. If you are thinking about reading this book, stop thinking, and read!
mav_ka's review against another edition
4.0
3.8/5
A nice light read. This is the first novella that I don't have any serious complaints about.
That's not saying much because I haven't read that many, but it's nice to finally stumble upon a well-written and relatively short story.
═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══
SO WE'VE GOT:
- A middle-eastern fantasy setting, with a sprinkle of something entirely different in the second half of the novel. (This is where I send you to RAFO, Read And Find Out :))
- Interesting, easy-to-understand plot.
- Vampires! ...wait, vampires?
*biting my cheek to stop myself from making a Twilight joke*
- Good world-building. It does look like the author knew her limits with such a small book size, so she chose to go for simple, sometimes trope-y details. But what's good about the world is that it gets more complex and rich the more you learn about it. There is an infinite possibility for adding more complex details.
- Likeable protagonist. She is witty and resourceful. I admit, sometimes her selfless sacrifices did not make too much sense (why would you risk your life for someone you just met? That kind of thing), but it wasn't too jarring. Not like some other novels I read. Like, I could actually believe that in the spur of the moment, she would choose to sacrifice herself for that person.
- Prose that flows and contributes to the overall atmosphere of the novella. It's not flowery and super detailed like in some books, but it's not choppy, either. In fact, the prose fits the setting very well.
- It took me 3 hours to finish the book. Gotta love a short book in a reading slump, it's like a breath of fresh air.
CONCLUSION
To conclude, I am excited to continue with the series. I wouldn't call anything in the book spectacular. It doesn't have things or details that stand out like in some popular series. But it's a good story, and it's an easy read, so why not.
A nice light read. This is the first novella that I don't have any serious complaints about.
That's not saying much because I haven't read that many, but it's nice to finally stumble upon a well-written and relatively short story.
═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══
SO WE'VE GOT:
- A middle-eastern fantasy setting, with a sprinkle of something entirely different in the second half of the novel. (This is where I send you to RAFO, Read And Find Out :))
- Interesting, easy-to-understand plot.
- Vampires! ...wait, vampires?
"It has been a long time since I was twenty-five."
*biting my cheek to stop myself from making a Twilight joke*
- Good world-building. It does look like the author knew her limits with such a small book size, so she chose to go for simple, sometimes trope-y details. But what's good about the world is that it gets more complex and rich the more you learn about it. There is an infinite possibility for adding more complex details.
These last four years, I have watched the life of the city slowly bleed into the sea. Oh, Mama Ali still laughs and sells her self-fulfilling prophecies in the fish market, children still play, and the motions of life continue because they must, but there is a silence where there were once words.
- Likeable protagonist. She is witty and resourceful. I admit, sometimes her selfless sacrifices did not make too much sense (why would you risk your life for someone you just met? That kind of thing), but it wasn't too jarring. Not like some other novels I read. Like, I could actually believe that in the spur of the moment, she would choose to sacrifice herself for that person.
I look down at my hands, wondering what drives me more: love for my adopted land or loneliness.
- Prose that flows and contributes to the overall atmosphere of the novella. It's not flowery and super detailed like in some books, but it's not choppy, either. In fact, the prose fits the setting very well.
"You haven't considered the benefits of being bald," I tell him. I list the advantages, ticking them off on my fingers, "No lice, no worries about how to tie it up, no need to dry it in winter, nothing for anyone to grab you by, and" I paused, trying to come up with one more reason.
"Nothing to keep your brain warm," Val supplies.
- It took me 3 hours to finish the book. Gotta love a short book in a reading slump, it's like a breath of fresh air.
CONCLUSION
To conclude, I am excited to continue with the series. I wouldn't call anything in the book spectacular. It doesn't have things or details that stand out like in some popular series. But it's a good story, and it's an easy read, so why not.
bookswithbets's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
4.0
The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.
When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.
- - - - -
Rating: 4.25/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: unique world-building; this read had me snared from the start; intriguing, complex, strong characters; just a few confusing plot points; vampires of a different, unique calibre; the story is easy to sink into; I meant to only read 50% of this today, but finished it without realizing!; entertaining, snarky, and full of awesome
(Soundtrack Insert: Battle Scars, by Paradise Fears)
Goodness, guys. I meant to only read a small portion of this today...and found myself flipping frantically through the pages until the very end!
“Clearly,” the Ghost says, leaning forward and pushing a platter of fruit towards me, “you came for the pineapple.”
I can't help the laugh that bursts from my lips. Shaking my head, I drop into a chair and reach for the platter. Pineapple is the one food I never pass up. “Absolutely. Justice served with a side of pineapple. That's what I'm here for.”
This was a wild, enthralling read from start to finish—and it's a short read, so you KNOW I was dying for more even as the end was fast approaching! The prose is gorgeous; melodic, atmospheric, with just a hint of the poetic to set the tone and carry the mood throughout. There are a number of confusing moments, mostly surrounding certain plot points. For instance, near the end of the novel, our MC loses her memories...but I wasn't aware of this until it had been pointed out by another character. I feel that in these moments, the abstract writing was a bit heavier than it should have been—it complicated what might have easily been explained by the narrator, instead of relying upon dialogue to get the point across.
(Soundtrack Insert: Devour, by Shinedown)
(Soundtrack Insert: Bullet with Butterfly Wings, by The Smashing Pumpkins)
There are also, obviously, a LOT of huge questions concerning the world-building. While we get a fair amount, not everything is explained at surface-level; instead, readers are left to figure things out on their own or from reading between the lines. Certain answers we, as readers, might expect to come easily are not revealed until much later in the read than expected. There are a bunch of different creatures contained in these pages, though it's not explained clearly WHY they exist or how they all get along. We are told (only after the first half has gone by!) that this takes place in an “Elven Kingdom” of sorts, and that there are other worlds/portals...but we're not told much more than that. There are obviously pretty high tensions between the different races/species...but again, we don't exactly know why, or what these tensions are, unless a character goes out of their way to explain it.
In the darkness, someone holds a cup of water to my lips. I drink greedily, swallowing great gulps until it reaches my stomach, and then I am retching up coals and ash. What is left after a fire? The burnt out skeleton of what was, a few charred remains. Nothing that can hold water.
However—don't let this stop you from picking up the read! This story ensnares you from the start, and keeps you churning pages until the very end. The action scenes are fast-paced and entertaining. The characters LEAP to life before your eyes. The snark is on-point: full of flair, drama, and awesome. I found myself smirking each time our MC got herself into a pickle, knowing the snark would be clever and cutting despite the danger of her situation. Also, a few of the characters surprised me. One, in particular, took an unexpectedly gentle turn...and left me wondering just what his role will be in book two.
(Soundtrack Insert: Losing Your Memory, by Ryan Star)
This novella was a fun, quick read, and I can't wait to dive into the second book to find out what fates await our cast of characters. Does Hitomi find her memories? Learn just what sort of magic she possesses? Find her way home to family and friends? I don't know—but I'm anxious to find out! I highly recommend this to lovers of fantasy, action/adventure, and vibrant, colorful world-building. Also: vampires! Because they exist in this world, but...not quite in the ways you might expect.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
It was too short, it was too shooooort! *sad panda*
BUT, it does not end with a cliffie, I mean yes the whole book is one big cliffie, or not, but the ending is one of those all good for now, but soon you are in trouble again. One of those look the sky is blue, we are happy, but oh oh, you missed those dark clouds at the horizon......
Anyway. Hitomi is a young thief. She is nice, and does her best to survive. She is also a part of a organization trying to help since the island is going to hell. They got one of those evil mages, you know how it is.
We do not get that much of the world, I can't blame it on her, since we later learn she is educated. But right now her worldview is narrow, the city, best places to hide from soldiers, best places to hide from anyone. I would like to learn more though, cos there are other lands, the whole mage thing and so on. Oh and a map, I love those.
Since the story is short not a lot happens. Some people needs protection . Things go badly. We get to see ...stuff, I liked that. And a twist too before that, and well then it ended. And I got sad. Because hello! So much story still to be told. I look forward to that. I also hope X shows up again, I liked X...haha, spoilers ;)
A good fantasy novella.
BUT, it does not end with a cliffie, I mean yes the whole book is one big cliffie, or not, but the ending is one of those all good for now, but soon you are in trouble again. One of those look the sky is blue, we are happy, but oh oh, you missed those dark clouds at the horizon......
Anyway. Hitomi is a young thief. She is nice, and does her best to survive. She is also a part of a organization trying to help since the island is going to hell. They got one of those evil mages, you know how it is.
We do not get that much of the world, I can't blame it on her, since we later learn she is educated. But right now her worldview is narrow, the city, best places to hide from soldiers, best places to hide from anyone. I would like to learn more though, cos there are other lands, the whole mage thing and so on. Oh and a map, I love those.
Since the story is short not a lot happens. Some people needs protection . Things go badly. We get to see ...stuff, I liked that. And a twist too before that, and well then it ended. And I got sad. Because hello! So much story still to be told. I look forward to that. I also hope X shows up again, I liked X...haha, spoilers ;)
A good fantasy novella.
xiomi's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. All of the author's stories remind me of the hero I still hope to become, albeit with architecture instead of swords ;) . Its official, Intisar Khanani, consider me a fan.
luna_rondo's review against another edition
3.0
So...
This book is probably closer to a 4.5, but my main problem is that it really felt like half a book and some things were poorly explained.
That being said, I saw the next book was over 300 pages, so I'm going to continue on. Also, more Val. Please.
This book is probably closer to a 4.5, but my main problem is that it really felt like half a book and some things were poorly explained.
Spoiler
The whole tanuki thing felt thrown in and then for people to be called Fangs and Breathers? Am I the only one that found that weird??That being said, I saw the next book was over 300 pages, so I'm going to continue on. Also, more Val. Please.