Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by shaun_trinh
This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If Cisure has no haters then I must be dead in a ditch cuz FUUUUUUUUUUCK her. I hope im never bestowed a shitty ass best friend like her.
Anyways, this was an amazing book. I think this is what perfectly incompasses what a dark fantasy book actually is. It doesn't take horrific or abusive actions and then glorify them into something acceptable, but it shows genuine injustices for what they are and what it does to both the main characters and the world they're in at large. All the while still maintiang an interesting romance.
The magic system with runes and the role of Petitor's was really facinating. The ability to probe memories, manifest them into the real world, and also tell if that person is lying and having that as a job with politicians in a world greatly inspired by ancient Rome was great. That alongside the Sherlock-Watsom / Boss-over worked assistant dyanmic really set Sarai and Kadra;s relationship up with each other and the political world.
Despite that we can really tell what the mystery is by around page 66, the story of what happened to Sarai, the girl who knew to much, and the Petitor's who followed really was enthrawling. The emotional stakes for Sarai despite all her suspiciouns and who was likely the cuprit never left the page and I think that's what sticks with me the most about this book. How it handles injustice to women, the lower class, the innocents, and doesn't shy away from it. The Sidran Tower girl, her truth, the truth of the conspiracy around, and those that followed really do haunt the narrative.
Loved the story and I thought that hint at the end about who'll be featured in the next book is FEIRFOERIFJERFJOE
.5 stars off though because some pages needed an editor and had me re-reading trying to make sense of what was being said, to whom, and who knows what.
Anyways, this was an amazing book. I think this is what perfectly incompasses what a dark fantasy book actually is. It doesn't take horrific or abusive actions and then glorify them into something acceptable, but it shows genuine injustices for what they are and what it does to both the main characters and the world they're in at large. All the while still maintiang an interesting romance.
The magic system with runes and the role of Petitor's was really facinating. The ability to probe memories, manifest them into the real world, and also tell if that person is lying and having that as a job with politicians in a world greatly inspired by ancient Rome was great. That alongside the Sherlock-Watsom / Boss-over worked assistant dyanmic really set Sarai and Kadra;s relationship up with each other and the political world.
Despite that we can really tell what the mystery is by around page 66, the story of what happened to Sarai, the girl who knew to much, and the Petitor's who followed really was enthrawling. The emotional stakes for Sarai despite all her suspiciouns and who was likely the cuprit never left the page and I think that's what sticks with me the most about this book. How it handles injustice to women, the lower class, the innocents, and doesn't shy away from it. The Sidran Tower girl, her truth, the truth of the conspiracy around, and those that followed really do haunt the narrative.
Loved the story and I thought that hint at the end about who'll be featured in the next book is FEIRFOERIFJERFJOE
.5 stars off though because some pages needed an editor and had me re-reading trying to make sense of what was being said, to whom, and who knows what.