athenezadam's reviews
175 reviews

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

One Dark Window is about a young woman who shares her mind with a monster, who joins a quest to cure her town of dark magic. While the magical deck of cards concept is hard to remember at first, it makes more sense as the story progresses and the cards are used. The slow burn romance doesn't have a lot of depth since the love interest is somewhat lacking in character. The internal dialogue between the main character and her monster is engaging, and the reader can look forward to a good reveal of this demonic possession. Recommended for fans of gothic fantasy who are looking for a unique magic system.

Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In Unravel the Dusk, after sewing the magical dresses of the sun, moon, and stars, Maia Tamarin must now fight to save her country and fight to save herself from becoming a demon. There is more action and less romance in this sequel. The magic is descriptive as usual in Lim's work. However, while some scenes are structured based on off-page planning by the characters, much of the magical knowledge appears instinctual to the protagonist even though much of this is new to her. The protagonist has a good character arc, her struggle apparent as she loses her humanity.

May A Divine Awaken by Michael Tinsley

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

May a Divine Awaken is about a young soldier who learns that he has a divine power and then finds himself entangled in a ruthless political game, where kings and queens are vying for a forbidden relic of unimaginable power. The shifts in point of view from the main character allow the reader to easily navigate the political system and easily learn the vast cast of characters. The women are all strong warriors. This novel is filled with action, and exposition is shared as necessary. Overall, this is a solid debut novel.

Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous emotional reflective 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

4.0

In Home, a year after leaving Earth and joining a galactic university, Binti returns home to face the consequences of her decision. The story is unexpected and nuanced. The protagonist is complex. Conflict, including familial, social pressures, and the clashing of cultures are successfully articulated in this powerful story.

The Adventures of Hemera Nyx in the Galaxy of the Future! by RSK

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

The Adventures of Hemera Nyx in the Galaxy of the Future! is about a teenaged girl who awakens on a strange planet, without her memories, and fights to survive. There is little dialogue in this story but the alien translations are comical and endearing. The prose is descriptive and well written. Hemera's character thinks and acts like a teenager would. Her sense of isolation is apparent. Still, she finds herself involved in adventure after adventure--fighting aliens, rescuing aliens, and escaping aliens--in an overall fun and quirky science fiction tale.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Jasad Heir is about a hidden queen who accidentally reveals her magic to a ruthless enemy commander and strikes a deadly bargain with him to win her freedom. The most intriguing aspects of this Egyptian-inspired fantasy are that nearly all the characters are emotionally scarred in some way and that the political regimes are all flawed. Classic fantasy tropes are executed well, with good pacing. The brutality of the main character and commander leaves the reader wondering how they will overcome their differences to fulfill the enemies-to-lovers trope. The Jasad Heir is a stunning debut novel.

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

4.0

In Only a Monster, a teenager learns that she and her family are monsters, while the boy she is interested in is a legendary monster slayer. The story is unconventional in that it isn't told from the perspective of the tragic hero, who has a compelling backstory. The various family dynamics are interesting. The time travel is generally fine, with several era-specific references. The relationships are not as developed as they can be given how central they are to the plot and the climax is a bit underwhelming, but the story's premise and pacing make for an enjoyable read. 

Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

4.0

In Spice Road, Ibrahim takes the reader on a fantasy adventure, with a captivating magical system and a vibrant setting to match. Some of the magical scenes have a pleasantly eerie tone. The female protagonist is strong yet flawed, her privilege blinding her until she observes the world's social disparities. Some supporting characters are particularly likeable and others are expected, but the cast is appropriate for the story. Ibrahim's debut novel is a solid introduction to The Spice Road Trilogy.

Wondrous Journeys in Strange Lands by Sonia Nimr

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Wondrous Journeys in Strange Lands is about a Palestinian woman who pursues her dream of travelling, crossing deserts and seas to discover the world. The protagonist is intelligent, carefree, and independent, navigating her way through a world of men. The story is adventurous. Her journey is also emotional as she experiences companionship, happiness, and hardship. Recommended for fans of folklore and historical fiction.

And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

And Then She Fell is about a woman of Mohawk heritage who is struggling with new motherhood, losing her support system, being the sole Indigenous person in her predominantly white neighbourhood, her writing aspirations, and strange, reality-altering events. This story touches on several genres including magical realism. Elliott poignantly outlines the microaggressions and overt racism the protagonist experiences from her Torontonian neighbours and through her interracial marriage. The deterioration of her mental health is terrifying. The point-of-view changes are initially confusing but the climax is emotional and the novel's prose is witty. The story invests the reader in the protagonist's journey, rooting for her to overcome her obstacles to achieve a good outcome.