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A review by moonchildshine
Aroma Karsa by Dee Lestari
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
It was so hard not to give this book 5 stars. Despite how long I took to finish this and how I was not really fond of Jati-Suma's romantic relationship.
For me, the best things about this book are the mystery, mythology, and the fantasy/adventure part. Not the romance. And I asked myself from time to time, is romantic attraction between the main characters necessary? Because I found it weird at first. It even freaked me out a little. It was so sudden, almost without a proper development. Not to mention the nature of their supposedly related past background. It was weird to see them as a potential romantic couple. And only for that, I was ready to give this book 4 stars.
But boy, I was so wrong. My question was answered at last. Yes, the romantic attraction was necessary. It was even crucial for the plot. With how it mirrored all of the past occurence. And I understand completely why they fell in love even though I was still not fond of that idea and it didn't give me any butterflies at all.
However, I was so impressed. It was too brilliant, forcing me to not give any less than 5 stars.
And the ending? God, I love it so much. It's the kind of ending that left me speechless. The kind of ending that gave impression that it never really end. It sent chill down my spine, I swear.
Another things that I love was how Dee constantly messed the reader's assumption with the whole "who's the hero" and "who's the villain" until the very end. It was so exhilarating for me!!
And last, I wanna mention my favorite minor characters in this book. For Iwan Setyana, you hilarious annoying lunatic snarky old man!!! thank you for providing me with good laughs throughout the whole dreadful Puspa Karsa expedition, if it wasn't for you, I probably shit myself. And for Empu Smarakandi, aka The Great Wit Jumantara Rekta, I know you're a decades old but damn, if I had the chance to serve you all my life, I would gladly be your slave 🙏
For me, the best things about this book are the mystery, mythology, and the fantasy/adventure part. Not the romance. And I asked myself from time to time, is romantic attraction between the main characters necessary? Because I found it weird at first. It even freaked me out a little. It was so sudden, almost without a proper development. Not to mention the nature of their supposedly related past background. It was weird to see them as a potential romantic couple. And only for that, I was ready to give this book 4 stars.
But boy, I was so wrong. My question was answered at last. Yes, the romantic attraction was necessary. It was even crucial for the plot. With how it mirrored all of the past occurence. And I understand completely why they fell in love even though I was still not fond of that idea and it didn't give me any butterflies at all.
However, I was so impressed. It was too brilliant, forcing me to not give any less than 5 stars.
And the ending? God, I love it so much. It's the kind of ending that left me speechless. The kind of ending that gave impression that it never really end. It sent chill down my spine, I swear.
Another things that I love was how Dee constantly messed the reader's assumption with the whole "who's the hero" and "who's the villain" until the very end. It was so exhilarating for me!!
And last, I wanna mention my favorite minor characters in this book. For Iwan Setyana, you hilarious annoying lunatic snarky old man!!! thank you for providing me with good laughs throughout the whole dreadful Puspa Karsa expedition, if it wasn't for you, I probably shit myself. And for Empu Smarakandi, aka The Great Wit Jumantara Rekta, I know you're a decades old but damn, if I had the chance to serve you all my life, I would gladly be your slave 🙏
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Blood, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Vomit, Murder