A review by abrataydabra
The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I am shocked!! The audacity I had when I first started reading to think that this book was not as good as the first. I am just reeling, it was so good. So horrifyingly good! I really liked how the author added the POVs to each chapter, sometimes the shifting POVs in the first book were a little confusing. Hassa and Kwame were such a welcome surprise and I am so heartbroken that they didn’t get more time together. Nayeli is so fucking crazy, the mixed timelines were interesting and really made all the surprises much more surprising (at least to me). It reminded me of The War of Lost Hearts a bit. And Jond, don’t get me started. I was so intent on never forgiving him but Rascal?? How can I not, I’m sorry but the growth! Overall, I am shocked, depressed and I just don’t know what the future holds. :(
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