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vrhayes08's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Violence, War, Murder, Child abuse, Blood, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed this! This was one of my 12 friend recommendation reads for this year and I was so happy I enjoyed this one! The characters and the story are so well done. I can't wait to read the sequel next!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment
a_libra_library's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This is genuinely one of the best YA fantasy books I've read in so long. The world building and character development was everything! Tari's journey is one of healing and finding self identity.
The plot twist and "info dumping" were built into the story so seamlessly.
I cannot wait to continued in Redemptor!
The plot twist and "info dumping" were built into the story so seamlessly.
I cannot wait to continued in Redemptor!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Medical content, Classism, Colonisation, Sexism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, War, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cursing, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
missmiya's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I chose to pick up this book because I was craving a really good audiobook and the audio version had been recommended to me many times. Since that's the primary reason why I decided to read it, I do feel as though I should touch on the audiobook itself.
While I felt that the audiobook was narrated in a beautiful way, I had a really hard time following the story. The voice actor did a magnificent job and gave each character unique vocal qualities that made them stand out amongst the large cast. However, the quick-paced story combined with the immense detail included left me in the dust a few times. I typically listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks, but this is one I would've needed to listen to while doing nothing much at all, so I could focus completely.
All that being said, I chose to pick up the ebook for the final few chapters, which allowed me to comprehend some of the story a bit better - but not entirely. I found that the book itself was just really confusing. I had a hard time understanding what was happening at any given moment. There were so many events that took place and so much betrayal and so many characters. It was a lot to fully comprehend.
I did enjoy the magic system and the representation in the book. For the sequel, I plan to only read the physical copy from beginning to end in hopes that it'll help me retain the information being presented to me. I think I could enjoy it a lot if I hadn't been switching between formats.
While I felt that the audiobook was narrated in a beautiful way, I had a really hard time following the story. The voice actor did a magnificent job and gave each character unique vocal qualities that made them stand out amongst the large cast. However, the quick-paced story combined with the immense detail included left me in the dust a few times. I typically listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks, but this is one I would've needed to listen to while doing nothing much at all, so I could focus completely.
All that being said, I chose to pick up the ebook for the final few chapters, which allowed me to comprehend some of the story a bit better - but not entirely. I found that the book itself was just really confusing. I had a hard time understanding what was happening at any given moment. There were so many events that took place and so much betrayal and so many characters. It was a lot to fully comprehend.
I did enjoy the magic system and the representation in the book. For the sequel, I plan to only read the physical copy from beginning to end in hopes that it'll help me retain the information being presented to me. I think I could enjoy it a lot if I hadn't been switching between formats.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
genny's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.25
It's a little hard for me to review this as it's been about 2 months since I finished it and I barely took down any notes...but I do know that I enjoyed it! The prose was engaging and the audiobook narrator (Joniece Abbott-Pratt) did a great job of bringing multiple characters to life. I loved the vivid settings. I went into this expecting a very popular trope to drive the story (enemies to lovers) but what I got was completely different - in a good way! I liked the found family aspect, though we didn't see enough of Dayo's council to make their love for each other completely believable. As Tarisai spent most of her time only with select members of the council, I often forgot just how many of them supposedly lived together and cared for each other. There also came a point when I felt that Tar had gotten too slow on picking up obvious clues...it dragged the story as you're waiting for her to figure out what you already did ages go. And the blossoming Kirah and Woo In romance made me uncomfortable because of the age gap, considering one of 'em is a minor. π¬
All that said, it's a worthwhile read and it proved to me that there's still space for fresh, unique stories in YA fantasy. I dove into the sequel immediately after finishing this :)
All that said, it's a worthwhile read and it proved to me that there's still space for fresh, unique stories in YA fantasy. I dove into the sequel immediately after finishing this :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexism, Violence, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Blood, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
bookishdaylight's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
4.25
The world-building and magic system is so well crafted and explicit when it comes to describing things in a way that made me engrossed in the whole story itself.
It started at the beginning of Tarisai's young age when she was made to study and learn everything to become one of the council 11. Tarisai, longing to be part of a family along with being cared for and loved, follows The Lady's command for she is compelled to obey. When she was sent to the palace to be anointed, this is where she meets the other characters that I grew fond of as the story progressed. The relationship she has with Dayo, Jeet, and Kirah was everything in the story though there are some characters that we barely got a glimpse of. Hopefully, we'll get to know more of them in the second book.
Tarisai who is loyal and fierce and defies The lady's command starts to face a lot of challenges along the way to protect her friends and to make sure that there would be justice and peace in The city of Oluwan as well as the whole Aritsar Empire itself.
This was truly an amazing and unique read!!
It started at the beginning of Tarisai's young age when she was made to study and learn everything to become one of the council 11. Tarisai, longing to be part of a family along with being cared for and loved, follows The Lady's command for she is compelled to obey. When she was sent to the palace to be anointed, this is where she meets the other characters that I grew fond of as the story progressed. The relationship she has with Dayo, Jeet, and Kirah was everything in the story though there are some characters that we barely got a glimpse of. Hopefully, we'll get to know more of them in the second book.
Tarisai who is loyal and fierce and defies The lady's command starts to face a lot of challenges along the way to protect her friends and to make sure that there would be justice and peace in The city of Oluwan as well as the whole Aritsar Empire itself.
This was truly an amazing and unique read!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Emotional abuse
marareading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This story has no business being this good! It is so well thought out, and and twists are so good. I loved this world, and the magic. It is such a fantastic world to get lost in.
Tarisai, our young MC. She was raised away from society with her mother restricting all of her information and even keeping her from the touch of people around her. She was born for a specific mission, but she doesn't know it yet. Not yet knowing what that is and if she will have a choice to fight what is coming.
This book has found family, lost magic and amazing twists and turns. I haven't been this excited about a YA fantasy since I read Children of Blood and Bone or Skyhunter.
HIGHLY recommend ππΌπ
Tarisai, our young MC. She was raised away from society with her mother restricting all of her information and even keeping her from the touch of people around her. She was born for a specific mission, but she doesn't know it yet. Not yet knowing what that is and if she will have a choice to fight what is coming.
This book has found family, lost magic and amazing twists and turns. I haven't been this excited about a YA fantasy since I read Children of Blood and Bone or Skyhunter.
HIGHLY recommend ππΌπ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
maregred's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Minor: Child death
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Classism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual content, Vomit, and Bullying