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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
I liked this book ok, but I was expecting more. I wanted a YA fantasy fairytale retelling with high stakes, adventure, and romance, and it didn’t quite hit the mark. I could tell this was the author’s first book. The pacing was off, the world building was lacking, and the characters felt one dimensional. I needed more buildup for the romantic relationships instead of insta-love.
It was still enjoyable to read, but I didn’t love it like I was expecting to. The the narrator, Sandra Okuboyejo, does an amazing job. It was a treat to listen to her voice the characters and bring the story to life.
🦂
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
🦂
Read if you like:
▫️YA fantasy
▫️historical fiction
▫️mythical elements
▫️court politics
🦂
Thank you to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, Mina Fears, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
🦂
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adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Special thanks to the author & @flatiron_books for my gifted copy, and @macmillaudio for my gifted ALC‼️
“Everyone close to you suffers at one time or another.”
Mina Fears debut novel was quite interesting to read. A little slow in some parts which is expected with fantasy but the audio took me through it. There was no real excitement in the narrators voice so it took a minute for me to be pulled into the story. I honestly think it would be more enjoyable without it.
Deep within the imperial palace at Timbuktu, the book follows Amie recently betrayed by her sister, disinherited by her family then sent away to be a servant maid to Princess Mariama. During her stay at the palace Amie conjures a plan with her potential suitor Kader the traitor to save money and run away together. But when she discovers a magical map sending her and a few others on a death mission Amie soon realizes she’s been tricked and could lose everything including her life.
I thought the book had great world-building and the concept of the battle trails was very intriguing. Some of the characters were meh but Amie and Mariama well-developed. There were a few instances where the author could’ve went in depth with certain plot lines. For the most part there was an even mix of fantasy and suspense. I didn’t really see the romance aspects come off the page but there were themes of power, control, friendship, and how we define our destiny.
Overall, the book wasn’t really for me but doesn’t mean it’s not for you. “Readers can expect a classic fairy tale complete with fallen princesses, palace intrigue, doomed suitors, enchanted maps, and vengeful gods.”
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
In this YA fantasy set in fourteenth century Mali, a sixteen-year-old is cast out by her well-to-do merchant family under false accusations. Sent to work in the palace as one of Princess Mariama’s maids, Amie grows close to the princess, plotting a way to save the next suitor for the royal’s hand from the deathly trials established by Emperor Sulyeman while also planning her own escape with her betrothed, Kader.
This story has a slow build with a flurry of action close to the end. The first part of the story is more historical fiction than fantasy; the major fantasy elements come into play during the quest sequence and what comes after.
The characters fittingly feel young in their motivations and actions, and there is a somewhat tepid love triangle established along the way.
Overall, the book has an interesting premise, but I’m not sure that I’m invested enough to continue the series. Based on how the book ends, I’m assuming there will at minimum be a book two.
I listened to the audiobook version of the tale. Sandra Okuboyejo’s narration feels slower than what I typically read but fitting in pacing, inflection, and cadence for the subject matter.
This story has a slow build with a flurry of action close to the end. The first part of the story is more historical fiction than fantasy; the major fantasy elements come into play during the quest sequence and what comes after.
The characters fittingly feel young in their motivations and actions, and there is a somewhat tepid love triangle established along the way.
Overall, the book has an interesting premise, but I’m not sure that I’m invested enough to continue the series. Based on how the book ends, I’m assuming there will at minimum be a book two.
I listened to the audiobook version of the tale. Sandra Okuboyejo’s narration feels slower than what I typically read but fitting in pacing, inflection, and cadence for the subject matter.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
I liked this overall. It's a first novel, and that could be felt in places as a bit of awkwardness. The first half of this story felt like royal historical fiction. I quite enjoyed the court politics and background. The second half of the book was full of fantastical magical situations and solutions. This is clearly a retelling of fairytale or a modern take on a fairytale.
This is set in pre-colonial Imperial Mail in 1359. The main character is Amie. Who was disinherited by her family, which resulted in her working as a servant. She's assigned as a kind of ladies maid to Princess Mariama, the daughter of Emperor Suleyman. This has clear mythological elements, stunning reveals, and the story is wrapped up nicely, but there's also a cliffhanger of sorts.
One of the best aspects of this audiobook is the narrator, Sandra Okuboyejo. Sandra does a phenomenal job of both keeping the historical aspects imbued with realistic feelings while at the same time adding to the magical and fantastical elements of the story.
My only complaint would be that this suffers from pacing issues. I was invested in the world building, but passing can kill the flow for slower readers. This is a first novel, and the result is clunky in places. I deeply look forward to another novel by this author.
Thank you to Mina Fears, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This is set in pre-colonial Imperial Mail in 1359. The main character is Amie. Who was disinherited by her family, which resulted in her working as a servant. She's assigned as a kind of ladies maid to Princess Mariama, the daughter of Emperor Suleyman. This has clear mythological elements, stunning reveals, and the story is wrapped up nicely, but there's also a cliffhanger of sorts.
One of the best aspects of this audiobook is the narrator, Sandra Okuboyejo. Sandra does a phenomenal job of both keeping the historical aspects imbued with realistic feelings while at the same time adding to the magical and fantastical elements of the story.
My only complaint would be that this suffers from pacing issues. I was invested in the world building, but passing can kill the flow for slower readers. This is a first novel, and the result is clunky in places. I deeply look forward to another novel by this author.
Thank you to Mina Fears, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 Stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this book was super interesting and I always love a reading about a trial. The narrator was fine to listen to, no complaints there.
The world building was pretty immersive and I did feel like I had a good grasp of the world. However, the characters fell a little flat for me. We didn’t spend much time getting to know the characters and the relationships they developed with the FMC wasn’t strong enough, ultimately leading me to not feel any attachments or have emotional reactions to major plots in the book. Some of the betrayals like what happens with Kader followed a similar formula from other fantasy books, making me feel like some of these reveals were somewhat predictable or not entirely shocking.
I did have fun listening to it, and I’m sure if you pick up this book you’ll have an enjoyable time listening to it too.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a dark, beautiful, powerful YA story. I loved the interwoven of mythology and new story telling, the characters, and the writing.
I really disagree with most reviewers that Amie was annoying. I think she was a sixteen year old girl who was betrayed, forced into service, and unloved. Her whining and being upset is to be expected. I also think she had the best character growth, realizing that her wants and needs shouldn't outweigh others, and that wouldn't shouldn't put their future on a boy.
The other characters were great, with depth that you can appreciate. Even the villain is understandable.
I cannot wait for book 2.
Thank you Flatiron Books and Macmillion Audio for the ARC!
I really disagree with most reviewers that Amie was annoying. I think she was a sixteen year old girl who was betrayed, forced into service, and unloved. Her whining and being upset is to be expected. I also think she had the best character growth, realizing that her wants and needs shouldn't outweigh others, and that wouldn't shouldn't put their future on a boy.
The other characters were great, with depth that you can appreciate. Even the villain is understandable.
I cannot wait for book 2.
Thank you Flatiron Books and Macmillion Audio for the ARC!
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you enjoy a dark fairy tale that reads like a bedtime story and feels different from other stories of this genre, then this will scratch that itch for you. This debut YA historical fantasy hit the mark in several places and is a refreshing addition to the genre. However it missed the mark in other places and I’m still undecided if I’ll want to read the next book.
Amie is the disgraced daughter of a noble tradesman in 14th century Mali. She is forced into servitude of the Princess of Mali but soon discovers that the Princess is not what she seems. Her father, the Emperor of Mali, is a ruthless ruler and father and forces her daughter’s suitors to endure deadly trials to attempt to win his daughter’s hand in marriage. Together Amie and the princess concoct a plan to end the trials and achieve their mutual goals.
This novel was a refreshing introduction to the culture and folklore of Mali, one that I was not familiar with. It was exciting and vividly written. However I didn’t get quite enough character development for me to fall in love with the characters. I think I like Amie by the end? I needed more from other supporting characters like her sister and the princess to really get to know them and root for them. I think there was a lot of potential for redemption arcs and romantic side-plots but it didn’t get built up enough for me as the reader.
I want my stories to show, not tell. This book did too much telling for me—I didn’t get to put the puzzle pieces together as the reader as far as plot twists. Motives and tension were spelled out for the reader and while they were interesting to read, it didn’t feel as fun having things explained to me. For this reason this book gets staunchly placed in the YA category for me. Fantasy elements felt scarce for me as well; the first 50-55% of the book reads and feels like historical fiction. But the introduction of the fantasy elements felt sparse and not fleshed out enough. I wanted and needed more from both the historical fiction and fantasy elements to feel fully invested in either facet of the story.
Bottom line: not bad but not great either. This series has the potential to be really amazing with just a little more meat on its bones. 3/5 for being entertaining!
My deepest gratitude and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Flatiron Books, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
slow-paced
The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears
Narrated by Sandra Okuboyejo
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Set in Timbuktu, suitors wanting Princess Mariana's hand in marriage must first survive Emperor Sulyeman's trials, including finding the bark and wood of a tree that doesn't exist, or surviving a bath of boiling water. Princess Mariana wants an end to the trials. The princess's handmaiden, Amie, is the disinherited daughter of a wealthy merchant who was stripped of everything and forced into serving at the palace. With her help, Amie seeks to put a stop to the trials and slaughter of the empire's young men.
The story is a young adult, dark fantasy, inspired by a Malian fairy tale, and both the premise and cover sucked me in. Fall from grace type stories are always intriguing to me, and in this case it wasn't even Amie's fault that she lost it all. Young love, adventure across the dangerous Sahara, Gods, deadly trials, and hidden truths all made for the base of a captivating story.
Unfortunately I felt like things moved rather slowly and I found my mind drifting often while listening to the audiobook. The narration was very well done, but the aspects of the story I was interested in weren't embellished as much as I would have liked, and some of the pacing felt a bit uncomfortable; some parts dragged on while others felt a bit glossed over. The ending felt rather abrupt and though I understand the cliffhanger ending, I didn't feel hooked enough to continue the series.
It was an easy story to follow, and while it may not have been right for me, I do think there is great potential in the novel.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
All opinions expressed in this review are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.
Narrated by Sandra Okuboyejo
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Set in Timbuktu, suitors wanting Princess Mariana's hand in marriage must first survive Emperor Sulyeman's trials, including finding the bark and wood of a tree that doesn't exist, or surviving a bath of boiling water. Princess Mariana wants an end to the trials. The princess's handmaiden, Amie, is the disinherited daughter of a wealthy merchant who was stripped of everything and forced into serving at the palace. With her help, Amie seeks to put a stop to the trials and slaughter of the empire's young men.
The story is a young adult, dark fantasy, inspired by a Malian fairy tale, and both the premise and cover sucked me in. Fall from grace type stories are always intriguing to me, and in this case it wasn't even Amie's fault that she lost it all. Young love, adventure across the dangerous Sahara, Gods, deadly trials, and hidden truths all made for the base of a captivating story.
Unfortunately I felt like things moved rather slowly and I found my mind drifting often while listening to the audiobook. The narration was very well done, but the aspects of the story I was interested in weren't embellished as much as I would have liked, and some of the pacing felt a bit uncomfortable; some parts dragged on while others felt a bit glossed over. The ending felt rather abrupt and though I understand the cliffhanger ending, I didn't feel hooked enough to continue the series.
It was an easy story to follow, and while it may not have been right for me, I do think there is great potential in the novel.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
All opinions expressed in this review are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.