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daya_fae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, Death, Blood, and Child abuse
overthinkereading's review against another edition
- 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
Even so, the magic and tension and love (romantic and familial) and history of Orïsha is immersive. Before I even realized it, I found myself completely invested in the characters and their mission, and the cliffhanger ending makes it easy to jump right into book 2 of the series. The Author’s Note is the most powerful part of the book, though - do not skip. (Contains spoilers).
Highly recommend.
Graphic: War, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Death, Classism, Racism, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Gore, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
robinks's review
- 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
4.75
Also, the complexities of revolution against oppression were present in the characters’ struggles and conversations, which inspired me to consider these same complexities in reality. I want to know more about this world, and I want to know what happens next!
Graphic: Blood, Genocide, Kidnapping, Racism, Torture, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Grief, Slavery, and Stalking
Minor: Trafficking, Vomit, and Sexual content
macmannwood's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Sexual assault, Self harm, Racial slurs, Violence, Racism, Genocide, Gore, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Hate crime, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Blood, Colonisation, Death of parent, Trafficking, and Suicidal thoughts
professional_grandma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Body horror, Child abuse, and Blood
nannahnannah's review against another edition
4.0
Representation:
Everyone is Nigerian (I assume? They mention Lagos)
Zélie Adebola remembers the night her entire world changed. The night magic disappeared, the night Orïsha’s king killed her mother, every single maji, and left Zélie’s people oppressed and hopeless. But when the king’s daughter runs away with a holy artifact that could bring magic back, Zélie has a chance to bring hope back to her people.
With the very first page, I was drawn into this world. The magic system, the mythology, the characters, the writing. The set-up was so beautiful I couldn’t imagine not loving this story. I mean … giant cat steeds? Is there anything more badass than that?
Unfortunately, the introduction of the love interest and the “magic quest” dampened my enthusiasm. One by one, fantasy cliches began to layer up on the plot, and then when the romance began with the characters locking eyes and a “buzz” happening (in a very non-romantic setting), I just … had to close the book for a second to recover. Such creativity here and then there’s that?
The plot could be summed as the characters having to find holy artifacts to participate in a ritual on a specific day or else magic is lost forever. And, of course, the main character is the “one” to perform the ritual, too. It’s all a little much. And yes, I know every story has been told before and that what matters is how it’s told. And also that, you know, non-white people deserve stories white people have had for centuries. I’m not really a person who should talk about this (lmao, because I’m white), but you know what I mean. But I guess I was just disappointed, because literally everything else was just so masterfully done, it just seemed like this could have been done better?
The characters in general, though? Amazing. I’m in love with each and every one (except for Inan … we’ll get to that). I even love the villain, because he was just done So Very Well -- even when he talked like a stereotypical villain, lmao! He had his reasons, he had his backstory, and I just believed him every time he spoke that he was speaking from his own point of view, and not to be … you know, “evil”. And his daughter; her character arc was so satisfying to read. She's the princess who goes from what’s considered “weak” to confident and self-assured. She didn’t have much page time compared to the other main characters (Zélie; the love interest, Inan; and Zélie’s brother, Tzain), but her character growth was my favorite. She was still herself, but bloomed into a much brighter and confident version.
Now, Inan. He had such potential to be a complex and interesting character! He was torn between his (insta-)love for Zélie and his duty to his abusive father. However what could have been a battle for his own freedom from his father ended up being a flip-flopping instead of being true development (
Anyway, this was still the best YA fantasy I’ve read in a long while, and that's my favorite genre! I’ll definitely pick up the sequel to see what else happens. And to see these characters grow even more.
Moderate: Child abuse and Rape
the rape scene was attempted rapelunep's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Torture, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
Another TW: Colorismgattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
- 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
The plot and characters are really well done that they end up blending together to support the progression of both plot and character growth. This also means that is there a bit going on but it doesn't feel overwhelming or chaotic, but instead very balanced.
By the end of this book I am glad that I already have the sequel. The main story thread for this book is neatly tied and leads directly into what looks to be the main issue for the next book.
If you have been wary of this book because of the hype, I recommend you give it a go. YA fantasy lovers are going to enjoy this magical world and all the lore it gives us. It has an amazing balance of character and plot driven moments that it feels like there is something for everyone.
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Trafficking, Child abuse, Genocide, and Torture
Minor: Sexual harassment and War
elindseyr190's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Minor: Slavery and War
sophiamoonlight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Blood