Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Such a compelling read that I had to finish it in a day. I couldn't get myself to put it down for very long! So many emotions were tugged and the world building was fantastic. Definitely some uncomfortable moments of sexism, but it's all part of the narrative and speaks to characterization. Can't wait for book 2 :)
Full review on Redd's Reads soon!
Full review on Redd's Reads soon!
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have to start by saying, I foolishly requested a book from Netgalley, not realizing it was the last book in this series. So, I'm trying to get through the whole series in the next couple months. I thought it was good and I will continue the series but it was a bit of a let down.
I loved the whole bhuta aspect. What's not to love about elemental magic? I wish that Kali learned more about her powers in this book though. I loved what we did learn about the history of this magic. I think it was fascinating and I can't wait to see how it unfolds. I feel like there was definitely some foreshadowing there. I REALLY wish that Kali could have had more time to learn and practice her magic. I feel like we didn't get enough of the magic.
I really liked Kali and her whole idea of sticking up for people and knowing that things are wrong. She constantly tries to do the right thing, regardless of the repercussions. She fights for what she believes in. I do find that she was a bit naive though. I'm hoping that's because she has spent most of her life in a sick-bed. I do wish that she would have gotten to her realizations a lot quicker.
Now, I did enjoy it. I never thought "I can't read this" or "I wish it was over." I enjoyed reading the story but I just didn't find it as immersing. I think that King could have done a lot more with the world building. It was a little bit lacking, in my opinion.
I really didn't care for Deven. He was just so blah as a character and I can't quite pinpoint it. It might be because I really don't like insta-love and this was super instant. I just was so, eh.. about them. I was actually hoping for a love triangle! Someone I could actually root for. haha.
A lot of our characters are not really as developed as I would have liked. I wish that I could have attached to them a lot more. I'm hoping that will happen as I continue the series.
Okay, onto book two!
You can see my review here: Books Are The New Black
I loved the whole bhuta aspect. What's not to love about elemental magic? I wish that Kali learned more about her powers in this book though. I loved what we did learn about the history of this magic. I think it was fascinating and I can't wait to see how it unfolds. I feel like there was definitely some foreshadowing there. I REALLY wish that Kali could have had more time to learn and practice her magic. I feel like we didn't get enough of the magic.
I really liked Kali and her whole idea of sticking up for people and knowing that things are wrong. She constantly tries to do the right thing, regardless of the repercussions. She fights for what she believes in. I do find that she was a bit naive though. I'm hoping that's because she has spent most of her life in a sick-bed. I do wish that she would have gotten to her realizations a lot quicker.
Now, I did enjoy it. I never thought "I can't read this" or "I wish it was over." I enjoyed reading the story but I just didn't find it as immersing. I think that King could have done a lot more with the world building. It was a little bit lacking, in my opinion.
I really didn't care for Deven. He was just so blah as a character and I can't quite pinpoint it. It might be because I really don't like insta-love and this was super instant. I just was so, eh.. about them. I was actually hoping for a love triangle! Someone I could actually root for. haha.
A lot of our characters are not really as developed as I would have liked. I wish that I could have attached to them a lot more. I'm hoping that will happen as I continue the series.
Okay, onto book two!
You can see my review here: Books Are The New Black
3.5*
I enjoyed the world building and the plot. Some parts were a bit similar to Renée Ahdieh’s The Wrath and The Dawn. The insta-love and the Claiming scene at the beginning (unnecessarily cringing) are reasons for my lower rating. I will continue on the next book. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the free ebook.
I enjoyed the world building and the plot. Some parts were a bit similar to Renée Ahdieh’s The Wrath and The Dawn. The insta-love and the Claiming scene at the beginning (unnecessarily cringing) are reasons for my lower rating. I will continue on the next book. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the free ebook.
Action packed and intense
It’s full of pain and heartache along with joy and love. It’s has great descriptions so I felt like I could see them and the setting in my mind. I have had this on my TBR list for some time now and I’m glad I finally was able to read and enjoy it. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should!
It’s full of pain and heartache along with joy and love. It’s has great descriptions so I felt like I could see them and the setting in my mind. I have had this on my TBR list for some time now and I’m glad I finally was able to read and enjoy it. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should!
Great world building. The use of the different element powers was good without feeling repetitive when compared to other stories.
This book frustrated me because I felt there was so much potential in the story and characters that just didn't get fully realized. I wanted it to be something that it wasn't and that definitely impacted my reading experience. On the whole, I felt the style was uneven and it needed better editing and world building. The plot was fine but the execution was lacking. The fight scenes were very well written and I did appreciate the emphasis on sisterhood and Kali's inherent virtues. Also present first person is not my favorite.
This is a great piece of world building with some Hunger Games gone Bachelorette with some fairly interesting real world parallels that would make George Orwell proud. A unique and vibrant fantasy world perfect for anyone who loves the investment of a series!
This book has been on my to-read list since March when I met the author at a conference. So when I saw that it was a kindle first book for May, I grabbed it immediately.
The story, overall, was very interesting held my attention well. It was something I hadn't really read before. I really loved the writing, and I especially loved the prevalent theme of sisterhood.
I did take issue with two things.
1. Instalove. Groan. I despise instalove. And not only that, but I feel like we never got any solid relationship building between Kalinda and Deven. They just decided they loved each other and then started risking their lives for one another. There was not enough build up for me to buy that.
2. This book was...not something I'd recommend to a teen. It's categorized as YA, but much of the content is very mature. Tournaments to the death, implied (but not heavily discussed) rape, scenes where young women are forced to strip naked and be inspected by men who will claim them as wives or courtesans, etc. While they're all discussed quite tastefully, there's just so many different things that happen so many different times that it gets a little overwhelming.
So for me, the book was fairly enjoyable. But teen me would have been shocked by much of the content.
The story, overall, was very interesting held my attention well. It was something I hadn't really read before. I really loved the writing, and I especially loved the prevalent theme of sisterhood.
I did take issue with two things.
1. Instalove. Groan. I despise instalove. And not only that, but I feel like we never got any solid relationship building between Kalinda and Deven. They just decided they loved each other and then started risking their lives for one another. There was not enough build up for me to buy that.
2. This book was...not something I'd recommend to a teen. It's categorized as YA, but much of the content is very mature. Tournaments to the death, implied (but not heavily discussed) rape, scenes where young women are forced to strip naked and be inspected by men who will claim them as wives or courtesans, etc. While they're all discussed quite tastefully, there's just so many different things that happen so many different times that it gets a little overwhelming.
So for me, the book was fairly enjoyable. But teen me would have been shocked by much of the content.