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A review by allthatissim
Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena, Tanaz Bhathena
5.0
August 6, 2020: Can I say how much my #desi heart is happy after reading one of my most anticipated reads of the year? I.LOVED.IT.SO.MUCH ❤️ I always wanted to read an Indian inspired fantasy, by an #ownvoices author, as an ownvoices reader and this book fulfilled that wish of mine.
Content & trigger warnings: murder of parents, chronically ill parent, sexual slavery, classism & discrimination, animal cruelty, blood, and violence.
Representation:Indian mythology, ancient Indian setting, desi culture, sapphic side character
Hunted by the Sky is a fantasy inspired by medieval India. The large part of the story is based on the age-old prophecy in Svapnalok that promises a girl with star-shaped birthmark to overthrow the tyrannical ruler of Ambar, King Lohar. Gul's parents were killed by sky warriors, who came to kill Gul because of her birthmark, while saving their daughter. Juhi, the head of The Sisterhood of the Golden Lotus, then takes Gul under her protection where Gul gets her training to wield magic and forms her plan to take revenge from king Lohar. On the other hand, Cavas is struggling to survive by making a secret deal that can cost him his life. But a passionate encounter between Gul and Cavas, changes the course of their lives in a way they never imagined.
World-building certainly is one of the strongest aspects of this book. Svapnalok, or the 'world of dreams', is divided into four kingdoms: Ambar, Prithvi, Jwala, and Samudra; clearly inspired by the four elements of nature: sky, earth, fire, and water. The authentic mention of things like outfits (sari pallu, ghagra choli), food (prasad, kachori), salutations (didi) and greetings (shubsaver, anandpranam), made my desi heart super happy
Content & trigger warnings: murder of parents, chronically ill parent, sexual slavery, classism & discrimination, animal cruelty, blood, and violence.
Representation:Indian mythology, ancient Indian setting, desi culture, sapphic side character
Hunted by the Sky is a fantasy inspired by medieval India. The large part of the story is based on the age-old prophecy in Svapnalok that promises a girl with star-shaped birthmark to overthrow the tyrannical ruler of Ambar, King Lohar. Gul's parents were killed by sky warriors, who came to kill Gul because of her birthmark, while saving their daughter. Juhi, the head of The Sisterhood of the Golden Lotus, then takes Gul under her protection where Gul gets her training to wield magic and forms her plan to take revenge from king Lohar. On the other hand, Cavas is struggling to survive by making a secret deal that can cost him his life. But a passionate encounter between Gul and Cavas, changes the course of their lives in a way they never imagined.
World-building certainly is one of the strongest aspects of this book. Svapnalok, or the 'world of dreams', is divided into four kingdoms: Ambar, Prithvi, Jwala, and Samudra; clearly inspired by the four elements of nature: sky, earth, fire, and water. The authentic mention of things like outfits (sari pallu, ghagra choli), food (prasad, kachori), salutations (didi) and greetings (shubsaver, anandpranam), made my desi heart super happy