Reviews

First of all, I'm too stupid for epic fantasy so I'm sure there's a lot of foreshadowing and other things that I miss and I don't always fully understand the worlds and the politics etc etc. But still! I really liked this one.

Naturally the first 100 or so pages is getting a feel for the world & the characters.

Speaking of the characters, here's a few:
Xiala - who I really like and for me feels like the main character. There isn't one really because this is epic fantasy but for me, she's whose POV I like being in most.

Abah- hated immediately. Lol.

Naranpa - hmm. Don't dislike her perse but don't like her either. OK I think I kinda dislike her but not completely?! She's just difficult to like and kinda annoying. But I don't hate her!

Iktan- hmm. We dont get their POV but that feels particularly intentional. I'm curious on their part (if any!) in the next 2 books which I need to read immediately. I liked them but then wasn't sure and still not sure!

Serapio - sigh. Crow boy stealing hearts. Listen, he broke my heart in so many ways. Every adult in his life failed him and if we're supposed to be OK with it all because of prophecies and gods and revenge well absolutely fucking not. I was hoping someone would take care of him and he kinda gets that in the beautiful connection he makes and I have no idea if that is something which will continue or how it possibly could even. HOWEVER. Now I'm very conflicted on Serapio because did I get glee from what Serapio had done to the crew that was hurting Xiala? Yes. I'm sick clearly. Again however, what happened at the end isn't something I can be ok with and I dunno how I'm supposed to feel about Serapio going forward. I like my books straight forward ok?! I like knowing who to like and dislike! I like clear lines of hero and villain. Good and bad. And the author said "lol no" so here I am all conflicted and shit.

Okoa- He comes into the book a little later but I liked him immediately. We don't get too many scenes with him but yet I think I love him already. Why am I like this? Why is it always the character who is barely in it? A recipe for disaster!

Anyways as always with epic fantasies and prophecies and power trips and gods and never knowing who to fully like or trust I was a ball of anxiety! (yes more than normal) for most of the book and yet I really like it. Rebecca Roanhorse has created a fantastic world here that is rooted in and inspired by Indigenous cultures particularly in relation to the Americas. She also writes great character dynamics and relationships and I feel like she's gonna crush my soul in the next 2 books which I will not enjoy but I'm still going to read them!

kgmay25's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

daicongrrl's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

blschuldt's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh HELL yea oh YES.

squidlord23's review

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dark reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed the story and not being familiar with any native mythology and traditions didn't hinder me with the book (which could also maybe say something about authenticity to dumb it down for non-native readers but I am no authority to say which is accurate). Roanhorse's writing is well done to move almost every chapter along and the different perspectives are well done to give a wide view of the world especially as it includes opposing ends of a political/religious feud. Often chapters ended on a cliff hanger and the next was a new perspective which pushed me to keep reading to find out what happened and that is a simple and effective way to force the reader to keep going! I am excited to continue the series. Some negatives were frustrations with some of the characterizations and the minimal learning or growth for some and buts of the romance were a bit cringe for me.

maeghie1408's review

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2.0

I knew right from the start that this wouldn’t be above 3✨ for me. I can’t pinpoint what is it about the writing but I didn’t like it one bit.

Despite it being character driven, I found the character depth lacked quite a bit and I couldn’t get fond of any characters.

The romance felt forced and I wish there wouldn’t be any romance in this one.

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