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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was okay.
I appreciated the opportunity to read a character that was southeast Asian, which is rare in the genre, and trans which is even rarer.
The worldbuilding was good enough that I would be interested in reading additional books in this series. I think my major issue with the book was that the character was just too good at everything she tried to do. There never seemed to be any really significant danger or risk of failure. It just sort of diminished any tension that should have been in the book.
Recommended if you're looking for a light adventure tale with good worldbuilding with a unique cultural perspective.
I appreciated the opportunity to read a character that was southeast Asian, which is rare in the genre, and trans which is even rarer.
The worldbuilding was good enough that I would be interested in reading additional books in this series. I think my major issue with the book was that the character was just too good at everything she tried to do. There never seemed to be any really significant danger or risk of failure. It just sort of diminished any tension that should have been in the book.
Recommended if you're looking for a light adventure tale with good worldbuilding with a unique cultural perspective.
adventurous
emotional
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
A great first book. Couldn't put it down for long, and I've already put in an order for the sequel!
Stealing Thunder was a book that had immense appeal for me. Inspired by the third gender that exists (and is legally recognized) in India known as the hijra, it stars Razia, a former prince living her true self as a hijra courtesan. Although I’m not trans myself, I was looking forward to experiencing a new perspective and couldn’t wait to read about a trans main character in a fantasy setting (fantasy is one my FAVORITE genres!). I went in with high hopes, although I hadn’t read many queer books, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
At the very least, I can say this was an interesting story, although that might be the extent of it for me. The story line is a typical romance trope – Razia meets a captivating client, who actually seems to like her for her, he finds out who she really is, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. It was a fluffy romance, which I didn’t mind at all, but story and character development didn’t happen until the last bit of the story.
Much of the story is propelled by Razia’s inner dialogue with herself, and the constant repetition of stating her past choices and history that led her to her current life, as well as all the things she missed when she used to be a prince – but it’s all okay because she’s living as her true self. It was exhausting and tedious to read the same thing for pretty much 75% of the story.
Any action that occurred was generally of Razia’s own doing as well – telling herself she couldn’t tell anyone who she was or what she did, and then divulging exactly that, causing herself angst and stress over telling people her secrets. What bothered me the most though, is that it really wasn’t a fantasy in any real regard. They had magical dragon-birds called “Zahhaks,” which were phenomenal and beautiful described, but that was the only aspect of the story that was fantastical in nature, and even then, you only really got to enjoy them at the very end.
All that being said, I loved the world-building. Boyden provided beautiful descriptions and imagery, and while reading, you could picture every aspect that was described. It was so colorful, and while the story itself was lacking, the descriptions compelled me to continue reading. The end of the book was by far the best; I was bored through most of the story until the end, and then it exploded in a flurry of action, adventure, and development.
Overall, this book was just okay, and I came out feeling more than a little disappointed. I would say that it’s worth a read though for the queer perspective and the imaginative language that pulls you through Razia’s world.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At the very least, I can say this was an interesting story, although that might be the extent of it for me. The story line is a typical romance trope – Razia meets a captivating client, who actually seems to like her for her, he finds out who she really is, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. It was a fluffy romance, which I didn’t mind at all, but story and character development didn’t happen until the last bit of the story.
Much of the story is propelled by Razia’s inner dialogue with herself, and the constant repetition of stating her past choices and history that led her to her current life, as well as all the things she missed when she used to be a prince – but it’s all okay because she’s living as her true self. It was exhausting and tedious to read the same thing for pretty much 75% of the story.
Any action that occurred was generally of Razia’s own doing as well – telling herself she couldn’t tell anyone who she was or what she did, and then divulging exactly that, causing herself angst and stress over telling people her secrets. What bothered me the most though, is that it really wasn’t a fantasy in any real regard. They had magical dragon-birds called “Zahhaks,” which were phenomenal and beautiful described, but that was the only aspect of the story that was fantastical in nature, and even then, you only really got to enjoy them at the very end.
All that being said, I loved the world-building. Boyden provided beautiful descriptions and imagery, and while reading, you could picture every aspect that was described. It was so colorful, and while the story itself was lacking, the descriptions compelled me to continue reading. The end of the book was by far the best; I was bored through most of the story until the end, and then it exploded in a flurry of action, adventure, and development.
Overall, this book was just okay, and I came out feeling more than a little disappointed. I would say that it’s worth a read though for the queer perspective and the imaginative language that pulls you through Razia’s world.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A tough, witty, strong trans protagonist in a thrilling fantasy adventure (with dragons!). I absolutely could not get enough of this book!
3.75*
A fantasy book featuring a transgender character, written by a transgender author, and based on the Mughal Empire, was something I was always going to want to read. Boyden brings tons of really good elements to this story, but some were more enjoyable than others.
On the plus side, I loved the setting, the tactics, and the action scenes, especially the flying combat ones. I hear the author spoke to pilots to get the details right, and it showed. Totally engrossing! The whole notion of zahakks, dragon-like creatures, was compelling too. What I didn’t like as much were the scenes where Razia behaved in her courtesan role, overly submissive. I understand this type of role and what it calls for, but for some reason, I couldn’t buy it. I loved that the author shows us the hardship of someone in the wrong body and that her choices weren’t to become submissive and ‘worthless' - those attributes given by the ruling patriarchs - but to have a body that fits her ‘soul’. However, the overly sentimental elements jarred somewhat. Still, a worthy read :O)
A fantasy book featuring a transgender character, written by a transgender author, and based on the Mughal Empire, was something I was always going to want to read. Boyden brings tons of really good elements to this story, but some were more enjoyable than others.
On the plus side, I loved the setting, the tactics, and the action scenes, especially the flying combat ones. I hear the author spoke to pilots to get the details right, and it showed. Totally engrossing! The whole notion of zahakks, dragon-like creatures, was compelling too. What I didn’t like as much were the scenes where Razia behaved in her courtesan role, overly submissive. I understand this type of role and what it calls for, but for some reason, I couldn’t buy it. I loved that the author shows us the hardship of someone in the wrong body and that her choices weren’t to become submissive and ‘worthless' - those attributes given by the ruling patriarchs - but to have a body that fits her ‘soul’. However, the overly sentimental elements jarred somewhat. Still, a worthy read :O)
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:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I quite enjoyed reading this. It's a cool setting, and the writing is very evocative so you get a strong sense of place. I liked the zahhaks, which were super cool. But I never really cared about Razia and Arjun, and since that's a major part of the story it really hampered me. And I thought that the writing style felt quite juvenile, at times. Razia felt very young for the protagonist of an adult fantasy novel, which is I guess fair because I think she's 17 (?) but she's been through enough in life that it felt jarring to have these intense experiences paired with a sort of naivete. So ultimately although I think it is cool in a lot of ways I won't be reading the sequel. But I think it would have a lot of crossover appeal for older YA readers.
As the first adult fantasy novel with a trans woman main character, written by a trans woman author, ever to be published by a mainstream press in the United States, I had high hopes for Stealing Thunder. I didn’t just want it to be good, I needed it to be good, to set the example, and to open the shelves for more books like it. Yeah, I put some pretty heavy expectations on Alina Boyden, but she delivered a book I feel like I’ve been waiting my entire life to read. This was absolutely amazing.
Born to wealth and power as a Crown Prince, Razia Khan gave up everything to be true to her feminine soul. She ran away from home, away from the scorn and the abuse, to become a hijra. With a social standing below that of the most debased laborer, and a death sentence waiting should her past be revealed, she has still found happiness with her dera (house).
Let me pause there for a moment. Razia, Sakshi, and Lakshmi are women with personalities, backstory, and depth. They are characters you want to read about, people you come to care for very easily, and their found-family dynamic is fantastic. They are all hijra, with their own stories to tell, possessed of a strength that you cannot help but admire. Arjun, the dashing fairy tale Prince who captures Razia’s heart is perhaps a little too perfect, but one can hardly begrudge the Princess her Prince. Even Karim, the cruel, mocking, abusive monster from Razia’s past, proves to have some interesting facets, with a character arc that genuinely surprised me.
In terms of setting and world-building, this is very much a desert fantasy, inspired by the history and culture of South Asia. That means there’s a learning curve with the language and terminology, but I found it very easy to pick up on (there is a Glossary at the back). What shifts it from historical fantasy to epic fantasy, however, is the colorful dragons – or, more properly, the zahhaks. These are fantastic creatures, with the different breeds having the power of fire, ice, or acid. Sultana, the zahhak that Razia had to leave behind, is a character herself, and watching these magnificent beasts being flown in battle is simply breathtaking.
The romance between Razia and Arjun is definitely a major part of the story, and the way in which he loves her as a woman, accepts her as hijra, and defends her as a Princess, is glorious. While he has a lot to do with creating the opportunity, Razia deserves the credit for empowering herself and standing up to those who would ignore her, shun her, and discard her. She repeatedly proves herself, demonstrating incredible bravery, and manages to become a true heroine, a warrior Princess, even while still being a proud hijra. Her story arc takes her from daring scenes of thievery, to tense scenes of politics and strategy, to exhilarating scenes of battle.
The worst part of Stealing Thunder was that it had to end. I kept looking at the page numbers left, knowing Razia’s story was almost done, and I didn’t want to leave her or her world.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2024/03/28/stealing-thunder-by-alina-boyden/
Born to wealth and power as a Crown Prince, Razia Khan gave up everything to be true to her feminine soul. She ran away from home, away from the scorn and the abuse, to become a hijra. With a social standing below that of the most debased laborer, and a death sentence waiting should her past be revealed, she has still found happiness with her dera (house).
Let me pause there for a moment. Razia, Sakshi, and Lakshmi are women with personalities, backstory, and depth. They are characters you want to read about, people you come to care for very easily, and their found-family dynamic is fantastic. They are all hijra, with their own stories to tell, possessed of a strength that you cannot help but admire. Arjun, the dashing fairy tale Prince who captures Razia’s heart is perhaps a little too perfect, but one can hardly begrudge the Princess her Prince. Even Karim, the cruel, mocking, abusive monster from Razia’s past, proves to have some interesting facets, with a character arc that genuinely surprised me.
In terms of setting and world-building, this is very much a desert fantasy, inspired by the history and culture of South Asia. That means there’s a learning curve with the language and terminology, but I found it very easy to pick up on (there is a Glossary at the back). What shifts it from historical fantasy to epic fantasy, however, is the colorful dragons – or, more properly, the zahhaks. These are fantastic creatures, with the different breeds having the power of fire, ice, or acid. Sultana, the zahhak that Razia had to leave behind, is a character herself, and watching these magnificent beasts being flown in battle is simply breathtaking.
The romance between Razia and Arjun is definitely a major part of the story, and the way in which he loves her as a woman, accepts her as hijra, and defends her as a Princess, is glorious. While he has a lot to do with creating the opportunity, Razia deserves the credit for empowering herself and standing up to those who would ignore her, shun her, and discard her. She repeatedly proves herself, demonstrating incredible bravery, and manages to become a true heroine, a warrior Princess, even while still being a proud hijra. Her story arc takes her from daring scenes of thievery, to tense scenes of politics and strategy, to exhilarating scenes of battle.
The worst part of Stealing Thunder was that it had to end. I kept looking at the page numbers left, knowing Razia’s story was almost done, and I didn’t want to leave her or her world.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2024/03/28/stealing-thunder-by-alina-boyden/