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jaredwill_'s review against another edition
5.0
An outstanding piece of fantasy set in a world we don't often see and certainly don't see written by someone with cultural ties to these tropes.
lebishop13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I really expected to like this book more than I did. The setting was incredible. I loved the details inspired by the Middle East and the world building surrounding the caliphates and the culture. I thought that Nasir was a particularly compelling character, and I enjoyed the emphasis on women's capabilities and leadership.
I struggled with the magic system and the many magic creatures introduced. It felt overly contrived and convoluted. I finished the book feeling like I didn't understand what I read, and it got in the way of my enjoyment of the story. The storyline felt a bit rushed and I really lost the thread there at the end. Lastly, I love a good quest story, but, again, this felt a bit contrived and stereotypical. I got big Hunger Games squad takes the Capitol vibes. Each character has its trope to play in the incredibly young, overly talented, traumatic backstories squad that just has tons of witty repartee back and forth.
Will I read the second one? Probably. But I'm not sure that this will be a favorite. I don't think that it transcends its YA genre to be universally appealing to all readers. Which is totally fine.
I struggled with the magic system and the many magic creatures introduced. It felt overly contrived and convoluted. I finished the book feeling like I didn't understand what I read, and it got in the way of my enjoyment of the story. The storyline felt a bit rushed and I really lost the thread there at the end. Lastly, I love a good quest story, but, again, this felt a bit contrived and stereotypical. I got big Hunger Games squad takes the Capitol vibes. Each character has its trope to play in the incredibly young, overly talented, traumatic backstories squad that just has tons of witty repartee back and forth.
Will I read the second one? Probably. But I'm not sure that this will be a favorite. I don't think that it transcends its YA genre to be universally appealing to all readers. Which is totally fine.
geobug99's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
triplebriiii's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good, but not as good as I had expected, sadly. Not quite sure what it was, but something about this didn't grab me.
There were some pacing issues in the beginning, it took way too long for us to actually get to the adventure. The character work wasn't quite there enough for me to be saddened by certain deaths, I just wasn't invested in those characters or their relationships.
But I did like the characters, I liked the romance, I liked the world building. And the writing is beautiful, the author is really gifted at prose.
There were some pacing issues in the beginning, it took way too long for us to actually get to the adventure. The character work wasn't quite there enough for me to be saddened by certain deaths, I just wasn't invested in those characters or their relationships.
But I did like the characters, I liked the romance, I liked the world building. And the writing is beautiful, the author is really gifted at prose.
chanelletime's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
hannahbouf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
lindseyinthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I will not support a romance between a minor and adult.
marsbookreviews's review
3.0
3.25 this book only got good for me around the last 20% because that's when things really started picking up. Nothing really happened in the first 80%.
Granted this is the first book in a duology, you can still actively have a very intense/fast paced/action packed plot while world building, introducing characters, etc.
Don't know if I'll continue, we'll see.
Granted this is the first book in a duology, you can still actively have a very intense/fast paced/action packed plot while world building, introducing characters, etc.
Don't know if I'll continue, we'll see.
magt5pie's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25