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A review by pencilknot
Dark of the West by Joanna Hathaway
5.0
The tension, the stakes, the plotting... This book was exactly what I wanted and I love it.
2023 Update
This book is still as heart-pounding as the first time I read it two years ago. The prologue hits with a punch in the gut, and sticks with the reader throughout the story. The Aurelia and Athan introduced in the story are miles from the war-torn version of them we first see, and you can't help but wonder how they got to that point.
One of the favourite aspects of the book is the political plotting and character development present in the story. We are shown, not told how cunning the Dakars are (the last 1/3 of the book had me on the edge of my seat). We witness the internal turmoil of our main characters through their thoughts, and their actions always felt fitting to their character, and shows how they could become who we see them be in the future.
All in all, Dark of the West remains one of my favourite books. You cannot help but feel a pang of bitterness for these young teenagers, hopelessly in love, and blissfully unaware of the consequences of war.
2023 Update
This book is still as heart-pounding as the first time I read it two years ago. The prologue hits with a punch in the gut, and sticks with the reader throughout the story. The Aurelia and Athan introduced in the story are miles from the war-torn version of them we first see, and you can't help but wonder how they got to that point.
One of the favourite aspects of the book is the political plotting and character development present in the story. We are shown, not told how cunning the Dakars are (the last 1/3 of the book had me on the edge of my seat). We witness the internal turmoil of our main characters through their thoughts, and their actions always felt fitting to their character, and shows how they could become who we see them be in the future.
All in all, Dark of the West remains one of my favourite books. You cannot help but feel a pang of bitterness for these young teenagers, hopelessly in love, and blissfully unaware of the consequences of war.