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A review by shelves_by_sim
The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Firstly, this cover is absolutely breathtaking. I am so obsessed with the gorgeous picture, the scorpion cutout, the beautiful and bright pinks and purples used and the black border surrounding it - so stunning. This is a debut book and it was so absolutely amazing I am struggling to find the words for it. The Timbaktu setting, the Islamic culture set in such a vast and new fantasy world was pulled off so well.
I absolutely adored this author's writing, it was poised and elegant and so captivating. The story itself was so good, there were definitely some dark fantasy elements to this world, the deathly trials held for the princess's hand, the way the nobles treated people, the journey to find Hausakoy and everything that was experienced afterwards. I loved Amie, we get introduced to her in the beginning of the book after something tragic has befallen her and I loved how, through it all, we got to see her grow and change and forgive and fight.
I really loved Kader, I loved the future Amie and him were working towards. I loved the how the fraught bond between Jeneba, Penda and Amie grew into a friendship with so much meaning. This story definitely hit me with a plot twist I would not have seen coming, even though I did think a certain character gave me "don't trust them" vibes and honestly, it just kept shocking me from there on. I do wish that there was a little more on the magic in this story, if felt kind of glossed over, but either way, I truly enjoyed this book so much.
I absolutely adored this author's writing, it was poised and elegant and so captivating. The story itself was so good, there were definitely some dark fantasy elements to this world, the deathly trials held for the princess's hand, the way the nobles treated people, the journey to find Hausakoy and everything that was experienced afterwards. I loved Amie, we get introduced to her in the beginning of the book after something tragic has befallen her and I loved how, through it all, we got to see her grow and change and forgive and fight.
I really loved Kader, I loved the future Amie and him were working towards. I loved the how the fraught bond between Jeneba, Penda and Amie grew into a friendship with so much meaning. This story definitely hit me with a plot twist I would not have seen coming, even though I did think a certain character gave me "don't trust them" vibes and honestly, it just kept shocking me from there on. I do wish that there was a little more on the magic in this story, if felt kind of glossed over, but either way, I truly enjoyed this book so much.