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A review by trips
Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
First, thank you NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and S. Jae Jones for an E-Galley of this book.
Jae-Jones has created a lush world that wonderfully combines fairy tales & magical girls (e.g., Sailor Moon). If you're a fan of either or both, you'll almost certainly enjoy this novel. If you're a fan of the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, you'll probably enjoy this as well!
The lush style of writing really allows for her characters to really come to life and feel at home within this Asian inspired fantasy. The struggles Zhara experiences with her newfound power, her complicated relationship with her stepmother and cute boys is refreshing. The topics covered are darker but presented in a lighter way good for YA readers. The rest of the cast are all charming and loveable, great himbo (lol) and LGBT representation. Also the BTS cameo made me laugh out loud.
There are some characters I was really hoping would get a bit more development (especially after one of them receives devastating news) but sadly this doesn't occur in this book, however I hope they will return in the next books in the series!
Now, for the one thing I didn't like: there are characters who start monologuing, for like, a while, to provide Zhara with exposition she wouldn't have otherwise. While I would agree it makes sense to provide information like this sometimes, it just happened a bit too much for my liking.
Regardless, I overall really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the sequel!!
Jae-Jones has created a lush world that wonderfully combines fairy tales & magical girls (e.g., Sailor Moon). If you're a fan of either or both, you'll almost certainly enjoy this novel. If you're a fan of the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, you'll probably enjoy this as well!
The lush style of writing really allows for her characters to really come to life and feel at home within this Asian inspired fantasy. The struggles Zhara experiences with her newfound power, her complicated relationship with her stepmother and cute boys is refreshing. The topics covered are darker but presented in a lighter way good for YA readers. The rest of the cast are all charming and loveable, great himbo (lol) and LGBT representation. Also the BTS cameo made me laugh out loud.
There are some characters I was really hoping would get a bit more development (especially after one of them receives devastating news) but sadly this doesn't occur in this book, however I hope they will return in the next books in the series!
Now, for the one thing I didn't like: there are characters who start monologuing, for like, a while, to provide Zhara with exposition she wouldn't have otherwise. While I would agree it makes sense to provide information like this sometimes, it just happened a bit too much for my liking.
Regardless, I overall really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the sequel!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War