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alannajane 's review for:
The Duchess of Kokora
by Nikhil Prabala
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75 magical stars!
🎧 Audiobook 🎧 is super well read by one of my absolute favourite narrators: Adjoa Andoh!!
I loved this one, right up until the jaw-dropping (romantic) cliffhanger of an ending!
This adventure contained everything that I need to love any fantastic story: great world building, an underlying magical principle that brings that world building together perfectly, deeply-lovable yet flawed characters who reflect upon their mistakes to push themselves towards personal growth, and some form of conversation on contemporary social injustices/marginalization. Add to this incredibly strong female main characters, plus all of the plot-twisting schemes, shenanigans and corners turned, and I stayed up WAY too late into the night listening to this amazing book. Truly smitten.
I will say that I personally identify as pan-romantic ACE. Plus, I also left my teenage years behind decades ago. So, while I can deeply enjoy books containing elements of romance, I personally abhor endlessly awkward YA romance without depth or consequence. Nor do I enjoy smut written purely for smut's sake (no judgement - just not for me as an asexual). This book, among several that I have read lately, has had beautifully tender elements of romance intertwined into high stake, mad-dash adventure with careful deliberateness. I really appreciate this. Additionally, all praises to amazing new 2SLGBTQIA+ authors taking the fantasy and science fiction worlds by storm.
I typically feel much more strongly about cliffhanger endings - most especially those used by debut authors at the beginning of a new series. But as this one is more romantic in nature (as opposed to a cliffhanger that holds someone's life on the line until the next book comes out), bothered me less than usual. Though, I really hope that the sequel comes out soon so that we can all find out what happens!! Also, if Adjoa Andoh isn't narrating the sequel, I will absolutely revolt!
Huge gratitude to Netgalley, and the publisher Grand Press, for an Audio-ARC of this book, in exchange for my truly honest review.
🎧 Audiobook 🎧 is super well read by one of my absolute favourite narrators: Adjoa Andoh!!
I loved this one, right up until the jaw-dropping (romantic) cliffhanger of an ending!
This adventure contained everything that I need to love any fantastic story: great world building, an underlying magical principle that brings that world building together perfectly, deeply-lovable yet flawed characters who reflect upon their mistakes to push themselves towards personal growth, and some form of conversation on contemporary social injustices/marginalization. Add to this incredibly strong female main characters, plus all of the plot-twisting schemes, shenanigans and corners turned, and I stayed up WAY too late into the night listening to this amazing book. Truly smitten.
I will say that I personally identify as pan-romantic ACE. Plus, I also left my teenage years behind decades ago. So, while I can deeply enjoy books containing elements of romance, I personally abhor endlessly awkward YA romance without depth or consequence. Nor do I enjoy smut written purely for smut's sake (no judgement - just not for me as an asexual). This book, among several that I have read lately, has had beautifully tender elements of romance intertwined into high stake, mad-dash adventure with careful deliberateness. I really appreciate this. Additionally, all praises to amazing new 2SLGBTQIA+ authors taking the fantasy and science fiction worlds by storm.
I typically feel much more strongly about cliffhanger endings - most especially those used by debut authors at the beginning of a new series. But as this one is more romantic in nature (as opposed to a cliffhanger that holds someone's life on the line until the next book comes out), bothered me less than usual. Though, I really hope that the sequel comes out soon so that we can all find out what happens!! Also, if Adjoa Andoh isn't narrating the sequel, I will absolutely revolt!
Huge gratitude to Netgalley, and the publisher Grand Press, for an Audio-ARC of this book, in exchange for my truly honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail