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A review by autreads
The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
5.0
Very good book. Anoor and Sylah were great characters (with Sylah's characterization being a touch stronger, probably because we start the book with her). I also was very intrigued by Hassa and her story, but I feel like we didn't really see enough of her in this book - maybe more in the sequel?
The world building was interesting and well-done. I saw the first big twist related to the world building coming (to be clear, I'm pretty sure El-Arifi wants readers to); another big one I saw coming too boo (mainly because it is a bit of a trope in stories such as these) the last one I did not. I thought the approach to blood magic presented in this book very cool and unique, and not super self-harm, necromancy at all.
I thought Jond's character was a bit of a damp squib and his introduction didn't seem natural at all.
Overall i very much like the progression and pacing of the story. I agree with some of the commentators that the training and events of the Aktibar aren't really the central focus of this book; they are crucial to the plot and drive it forward, but the interesting stuff happens around them.
The world building was interesting and well-done. I saw the first big twist related to the world building coming (to be clear, I'm pretty sure El-Arifi wants readers to); another big one I saw coming too boo (mainly because it is a bit of a trope in stories such as these) the last one I did not. I thought the approach to blood magic presented in this book very cool and unique, and not super self-harm, necromancy at all.
I thought Jond's character was a bit of a damp squib and his introduction didn't seem natural at all.
Overall i very much like the progression and pacing of the story. I agree with some of the commentators that the training and events of the Aktibar aren't really the central focus of this book; they are crucial to the plot and drive it forward, but the interesting stuff happens around them.