A review by coric
When It All Syncs Up by Maya Ameyaw

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 

Okay, so we’ve got the first in a YA fantasy trilogy…. I know, I know… I just recently whined about trilogies and YA fantasy, and here we go again. However, I was intrigued by the desert and Arabic inspired setting and the premise that is throwing shade to colonizers. We’ve got most of the usual suspects with themes and story arcs here… A young heroine on a quest to rescue her brother and protect her family status. She doesn’t realize how small her world is and the secrets that have been kept from her about the outside world. She has uncomfortable realizations about politics and class. She has FEELINGS for people she shouldn’t. There’s danger! Adventure! Betrayal! Cliffhangers! I like that we have a female warrior as the main character. The world building and the magic was interesting. Actually, I would have liked a bit more magic and mythology. So, did it blow my skirt up? Not exactly… But it was a solid start, and I am likely to keep going with it.