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A review by littlecabbage
The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The Final Strife grabs you by the collar and pulls you into a new world where people are classified by blood, color, and caste system. With Sylah as your guide, you are introduced to a world as flawed and driven as she is. Raised as a renegade, Sylah's efforts lead her into the closet of Annor, the warden's daughter. As the opener for a trilogy, you can tell through the 600 pages that there is a deep world worth exploring.
Although the story is compelling, the plot moved at times too quickly and too often overemphasized foreshadowing for future plot points and books. There are moments when you ask, 'why are you mentioning that again' only to assume it will come up in a later chapter or book.
Overall, it was a solid read. Add this to your TBR if you're looking for wlw, fantasy, or want to expand your imagination in a way that includes black and brown people. El-Arifi shows how exciting the mythology of Africa and Arabia can be when used to inspire stories that relate to today. I'm excited to see her future work and where Sylah's story goes.
**Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of The Final Strife**
Although the story is compelling, the plot moved at times too quickly and too often overemphasized foreshadowing for future plot points and books. There are moments when you ask, 'why are you mentioning that again' only to assume it will come up in a later chapter or book.
Overall, it was a solid read. Add this to your TBR if you're looking for wlw, fantasy, or want to expand your imagination in a way that includes black and brown people. El-Arifi shows how exciting the mythology of Africa and Arabia can be when used to inspire stories that relate to today. I'm excited to see her future work and where Sylah's story goes.
**Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of The Final Strife**
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Fatphobia, and Violence