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dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Death, Gore, Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
It’s a slow one to get into, but it gets better at the second half, namely when Lythlet discovers the really underhanded dealings of the city, and how her entire life is tied to them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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:
Yes
Gladiator meets The Witcher in this high stakes and utterly compulsive, epic fantasy from debut author Roanne Lau.
Masterfully weaving a pacy and emotionally raw narrative that had me on the edge of my seat. We follow a pair of loveable, underdog-esque protagonists who take up fighting monsters (in a colosseum type arena)— in an effort to pay back their debts and rise out of the slums they’ve barely survived in.
Lythlet, (our sole POV character) was a fascinating if unconventional protagonist; morally ambiguous and unapologetically calculating —she’s willing to do whatever it takes to survive (including lie, cheat, manipulate or steal.) Yet in spite of this, she still holds firm in her moral convictions when it involves the city’s most vulnerable. And as such, brought a sense of relatability and realness to her character that I feel will resonate with a lot of readers.
The pacing was heart poundingly swift too, yet it never diminished the emotional depth (or growth) that our characters undertake—particularly when it came to the horrifying events in the arena and the slow, brutal demise of Lythlet’s closest relationships.
I also adored the nuance and multilayered elements of the prose (which was beautifully crafted) and loved that we could experience such an incredible Malaysian Chinese-fantasy setting. (I also really need an illustrated bestiary as the sun-cursed beasts all sound soo fascinating!)
The focus on corruption in the pursuit of power (and exploitation) was also handled extremely well. It’s unsettling how relevant some of the thematic elements (gentrification, oppression, displacement of the lower classes and the corporate-fuelled greed of the ruling classes) are in relation to current world events.
And (in my opinion) served as a stark reminder at how easily societal structures can be taken for granted, or even dismantled, when the people in power choose profits over the lives of their citizens —or only see empathy as a weakness.
If you haven’t added this to your TBRs yet, then I highly recommend you do so as it’s action packed, thought provoking, and soo very detailed—I was fully immersed! Just be sure to check the TWs first.
Also, a huge thanks to Shalini and Solaris Books for the finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Sexual assault
Minor: Child death, Drug abuse, Trafficking
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
This was a solid book that I really enjoyed. It's a bit dark, at times, but it ends up being quite hopeful.
I enjoyed the friendship between the two main characters the most, and especially the character growth of the FMC. She had to make her mistakes to get there, but it was a good journey to go on.
The book didn't go in quite the direction I thought it was going to go in, I have to admit. I thought it was going to trend a little more towards the mythological rather than the political, but it didn't. Or maybe, it was a different kind of political than what I thought it would be. That's not bad, but it was surprising.
However, once I clocked on that it was the kind of political book that it was, it became somewhat predictable. That didn't make it any less enjoyable to read though.
I look forward to seeing more!
I enjoyed the friendship between the two main characters the most, and especially the character growth of the FMC. She had to make her mistakes to get there, but it was a good journey to go on.
The book didn't go in quite the direction I thought it was going to go in, I have to admit. I thought it was going to trend a little more towards the mythological rather than the political, but it didn't. Or maybe, it was a different kind of political than what I thought it would be. That's not bad, but it was surprising.
However, once I clocked on that it was the kind of political book that it was, it became somewhat predictable. That didn't make it any less enjoyable to read though.
I look forward to seeing more!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault
adventurous
medium-paced
I liked this book, but didn't love it. It felt so dense and yet I had so many questions about the world and magic. I felt like the main story could have been two books instead of one. I did love that this is a fantasy story without a real romance aspect. There is some flirtation, but always between the main characters and a side character. Lythlet and Desil are best friends, and I love the familial relationship between them. I liked how they really complemented each other and there wasn't any heaving bosoms and stolen glances.
The book takes place over the course of just over a year. There is so much plot that takes place that I was just rushing through the end. So many of their conquessor battles are just glazed over, but I would have liked more description. I also was interested in the real difference between Sun Cursed and Sun Blessed. Also, it seemed like other nations still had magic, so why didn't they? I know it's explained but it just felt so vague.
I would also wager a guess that Lythlet is neurodivergent. I loved the way she was described and her interactions with people. She wasn't a caricature, but a loving representation. The other thing this book does well is describe the harsh ways people get trapped in poverty. The predatory loans and jobs that overpromise and underdeliver. This really was a scrappy underdog story, but the ending isn't pitch perfect. The ending depicts an imperfect world that has years to go, I like a messy ending.
I don't know if I would read another book in this series, but if you like monster fighting rebellious fantasy, this book is for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
The book takes place over the course of just over a year. There is so much plot that takes place that I was just rushing through the end. So many of their conquessor battles are just glazed over, but I would have liked more description. I also was interested in the real difference between Sun Cursed and Sun Blessed. Also, it seemed like other nations still had magic, so why didn't they? I know it's explained but it just felt so vague.
I would also wager a guess that Lythlet is neurodivergent. I loved the way she was described and her interactions with people. She wasn't a caricature, but a loving representation. The other thing this book does well is describe the harsh ways people get trapped in poverty. The predatory loans and jobs that overpromise and underdeliver. This really was a scrappy underdog story, but the ending isn't pitch perfect. The ending depicts an imperfect world that has years to go, I like a messy ending.
I don't know if I would read another book in this series, but if you like monster fighting rebellious fantasy, this book is for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Trafficking