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greeneggsandsam's reviews
70 reviews
To Steal A Bride by Daniela A. Mera
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
TSaB is a romantasy that had me in a chokehold the whole way through. We follow Estela, a human slave to the giants, and Teo, the king of the Trolls. Estela has a rough life, trying to care for her brother, Mikal, and survive the tortuous conditions the giants give the humans. But even after Teo steals her from the giants when he discovers she's his mate, Estela's fear of the trolls makes her only desire to flee. As the two grow to learn more about one another, the world around them is changing.... and not entirely for the better.
We got so much growth from our characters, even some from side characters, that I can't wait to get more from in book two. The world is so detailed that I desired more of it, but I also didn't want to leave the inner thoughts of our characters as they were written so well.
"π±ππ π’ππ ππππ ππ ππππ ππππ π’πππ πππππ ππ πππ ππππππ π’ππ- ππ ππ π’πππ πππππ πππ π’πππ ππππππππ ππππ ππ."
This book follows very tragic themes, but it still managed to be beautiful at the same time. The potential for this world alongside the amazing writing & characters has me so hyped for future books in this world.
Also, go check out the hardcover of this book on Mera's page. This is the first book I would buy if I weren't on a book buying ban rn π
TROPES:
π Fated mates
π You came? You called.
π Monster romance
π Trolls, elves, giants, humans, magic
π Touch her, and you die
π Age gap
π Who did this to you?
π In each other's minds
π He has a tail
We got so much growth from our characters, even some from side characters, that I can't wait to get more from in book two. The world is so detailed that I desired more of it, but I also didn't want to leave the inner thoughts of our characters as they were written so well.
"π±ππ π’ππ ππππ ππ ππππ ππππ π’πππ πππππ ππ πππ ππππππ π’ππ- ππ ππ π’πππ πππππ πππ π’πππ ππππππππ ππππ ππ."
This book follows very tragic themes, but it still managed to be beautiful at the same time. The potential for this world alongside the amazing writing & characters has me so hyped for future books in this world.
Also, go check out the hardcover of this book on Mera's page. This is the first book I would buy if I weren't on a book buying ban rn π
TROPES:
π Fated mates
π You came? You called.
π Monster romance
π Trolls, elves, giants, humans, magic
π Touch her, and you die
π Age gap
π Who did this to you?
π In each other's minds
π He has a tail
Bound & Barbed by Samantha R. Goode
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Bound and Barbed is a dual-POV fantasy romance following Evaline, a woman determined to escape the misogynistic kingdom she has lived in since witnessing her father's brutal death. The aunt and uncle raising her plan to marry her off, an act Evaline detests even more after learning who they plan to marry her to. Maddox, a Kova (benevolent vampires), finds his fated mate in Evaline, and he swears to protect her and free her from the kingdom of Kembertus.
Overall, this was an enjoyable audiobook, though I found myself rolling my eyes at several aspects of the story. Both narrators were really good, and I do plan to continue the series as they will probably be made available on KU like the first.
What I enjoyed the most: Evaline's past is full of a trauma, and though she has hardened herself and trains to be the warrior she needs to be to survive, her trauma still resurfaces and affects her. The representation of nightmares, PTSD, and anxiety were really well done.
What I liked: Maddox is a sweetheart, and I loved his pining for Evaline and his desire to finally settle down with his mate (though it did get a bit repetitive sometimes). There is also some mystery into who/what Evaline is exactly, and why her bond with Maddox is different than normal Kova mates, which is what has me mostly interested to pick up the sequel. The smutty parts were enjoyable. I did feel an emotional impact from Evaline's storyline, and liked who she was as a person.
What I didn't enjoy: As mentioned above, this book did often get repetitive. I feel the book could have been much shorter if edited down better, and it would have been more enjoyable for it. The vast majority of the middle of the book was focused on the romance, with about zero plot. There are characters planning things, but not actually doing anything. The pacing made for a boring middle section. There was also SO much miscommunication in here, and it mostly infuriated me. One instance of it would have sufficed, but it was pretty constant and it wasn't much fun. One minute Maddox would say he knows she is lying because her heart rate increases, but then she continues to lie to him throughout the entire thing? Seems a bit meh to me. I know Eva had her reasons for trying to hide things, partially because <i>trauma,</i> but it was excessive to say the least.
Overall, this was an enjoyable audiobook, though I found myself rolling my eyes at several aspects of the story. Both narrators were really good, and I do plan to continue the series as they will probably be made available on KU like the first.
What I enjoyed the most: Evaline's past is full of a trauma, and though she has hardened herself and trains to be the warrior she needs to be to survive, her trauma still resurfaces and affects her. The representation of nightmares, PTSD, and anxiety were really well done.
What I liked: Maddox is a sweetheart, and I loved his pining for Evaline and his desire to finally settle down with his mate (though it did get a bit repetitive sometimes). There is also some mystery into who/what Evaline is exactly, and why her bond with Maddox is different than normal Kova mates, which is what has me mostly interested to pick up the sequel. The smutty parts were enjoyable. I did feel an emotional impact from Evaline's storyline, and liked who she was as a person.
What I didn't enjoy: As mentioned above, this book did often get repetitive. I feel the book could have been much shorter if edited down better, and it would have been more enjoyable for it. The vast majority of the middle of the book was focused on the romance, with about zero plot. There are characters planning things, but not actually doing anything. The pacing made for a boring middle section. There was also SO much miscommunication in here, and it mostly infuriated me. One instance of it would have sufficed, but it was pretty constant and it wasn't much fun. One minute Maddox would say he knows she is lying because her heart rate increases, but then she continues to lie to him throughout the entire thing? Seems a bit meh to me. I know Eva had her reasons for trying to hide things, partially because <i>trauma,</i> but it was excessive to say the least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault
The Wrath & the Dawn by RenΓ©e Ahdieh
fast-paced
3.5
"My soul sees its equal in you."
βββοΈπ«
The Wrath and the Dawn starts with Shahrzad seeking revenge against the boy-king, Khalid, for causing the death of her best friend. Khalid has married countless girls only to sentence them to death the following dawn. But once in the palace, Shahrzad finds herself caring for the man she believed to be a monster.
This read really quickly, and I stayed entertained the entire time. The tender moments with Khalid were my favorite parts by far, and his backstory was a constant mystery that hurt my soul when I learned why he was killing his brides. The fact everyone likes/loves Shahrzad because she is feisty and doesn't hold her tongue is something I really liked. She's definitely a badass female character I loved.
I'm hoping book two will contain a little more world building, because the magic system is a underdeveloped and a little lost on me. I would love to understand it more.
I enjoyed the banter between the characters a lot, and it had my chuckling sometimes. I think the dialogue and character interactions were definitely what shone. Despina was also a fiery character that I really enjoyed- so I'm loving the representation of strong female personalities here!
βοΈβοΈβοΈπ«
βββοΈπ«
The Wrath and the Dawn starts with Shahrzad seeking revenge against the boy-king, Khalid, for causing the death of her best friend. Khalid has married countless girls only to sentence them to death the following dawn. But once in the palace, Shahrzad finds herself caring for the man she believed to be a monster.
This read really quickly, and I stayed entertained the entire time. The tender moments with Khalid were my favorite parts by far, and his backstory was a constant mystery that hurt my soul when I learned why he was killing his brides. The fact everyone likes/loves Shahrzad because she is feisty and doesn't hold her tongue is something I really liked. She's definitely a badass female character I loved.
I'm hoping book two will contain a little more world building, because the magic system is a underdeveloped and a little lost on me. I would love to understand it more.
I enjoyed the banter between the characters a lot, and it had my chuckling sometimes. I think the dialogue and character interactions were definitely what shone. Despina was also a fiery character that I really enjoyed- so I'm loving the representation of strong female personalities here!
βοΈβοΈβοΈπ«
Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so incredibly gripping. Melissa Albert's writing really stood out to me. It was perfectly balanced between telling the story, portraying the characters' feelings, and having such beautifully crafted scenes. I loved the book as a whole, but the writing was my favorite thing about it by far.
The way the past and present converge is something I really enjoy it books, and I think it was done exceptionally well here. The little spooky moments were clever and kept me on my toes. In the end, everything was explained very well. I didn't have any questions left unanswered about the magic and the world.
I enjoyed following both main characters and alternating between the past and the present. I stayed interested the whole time, and finished this book much quicker than I normally finish audiobooks!
This was a book I enjoyed so much, I've already signed up to buy a special edition of it so I can read it physically. Both narrators were great, and I felt they fit perfectly for the characters they were reading for, but I would just love to read such beautifully written words physically!
This book was so incredibly gripping. Melissa Albert's writing really stood out to me. It was perfectly balanced between telling the story, portraying the characters' feelings, and having such beautifully crafted scenes. I loved the book as a whole, but the writing was my favorite thing about it by far.
The way the past and present converge is something I really enjoy it books, and I think it was done exceptionally well here. The little spooky moments were clever and kept me on my toes. In the end, everything was explained very well. I didn't have any questions left unanswered about the magic and the world.
I enjoyed following both main characters and alternating between the past and the present. I stayed interested the whole time, and finished this book much quicker than I normally finish audiobooks!
This was a book I enjoyed so much, I've already signed up to buy a special edition of it so I can read it physically. Both narrators were great, and I felt they fit perfectly for the characters they were reading for, but I would just love to read such beautifully written words physically!
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.5
"It's true that people do the most desperate things for those they love. Some might even al it a sacrifice- maybe that's what people believed when I jumped into the sea in place of Shim Cheong. But I think it might be the other way around. I think it would be a terrible sacrifice to do nothing."
βββοΈβοΈπ«
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a retelling of a classic Korean legend. Each year, a beautiful woman is chosen to be sacrificed to the Sea God to quell the raging storms in hopes that one day, they sacrifice the true Sea God's Bride. Mina sacrifices herself in order to save Shim Cheong, the woman her brother is in love with. But when she enters the Spirit World, nothing is how she expected it to be.
Axie Oh's writing in this novel was stunning. The descriptions and world were so beautiful. While I saw the twist coming, I really enjoyed how it all played out. At times, I felt so moved by the characters decisions. Chapter 32 made me cry before I even finished the first sentence! The main character has such a beautiful soul, and I enjoyed following her and her instinctual kindness. This book had such a magical feeling to it π
Also, I finished it in one night! It was fast paced and had no dull moments.
βββοΈβοΈπ«
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a retelling of a classic Korean legend. Each year, a beautiful woman is chosen to be sacrificed to the Sea God to quell the raging storms in hopes that one day, they sacrifice the true Sea God's Bride. Mina sacrifices herself in order to save Shim Cheong, the woman her brother is in love with. But when she enters the Spirit World, nothing is how she expected it to be.
Axie Oh's writing in this novel was stunning. The descriptions and world were so beautiful. While I saw the twist coming, I really enjoyed how it all played out. At times, I felt so moved by the characters decisions. Chapter 32 made me cry before I even finished the first sentence! The main character has such a beautiful soul, and I enjoyed following her and her instinctual kindness. This book had such a magical feeling to it π
Also, I finished it in one night! It was fast paced and had no dull moments.
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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? N/A
5.0
"When someone dies, everything about them becomes past tense. Except for the grief. Grief stays in the present."
βββοΈβοΈβοΈ
Fire Keeper's Daughter is a contemporary mystery following the investigation into a lethal new drug. Daunis becomes tangled in the FBI's investigation in her Ojibwe community. While undercover, Daunis comes to understand just how dangerous the situation is as new secrets are exposed and lives are being lost.
First of all, Miigwech to Angeline Boulley for such a stunning and informative book.
The heart of this story is the mystery of the drug operation, but I was so into this book for every possible aspect of it. It was so easy to fall in love with her characters, which in turn made me feel so much more passionately for them when they were hurt or betrayed. I teared up so many times. I loved following Daunis. I fell in love with her science brain and felt my heart sink at all the trauma she endured.
The mystery was very interesting. Boulley's method of giving little bits of information here and there kept me on my toes. But the climax? O M G! There were SO many twists that shook me so hard! Daunis' ability to keep bouncing back and not give up was incredible, and I respected how raw and real she was portrayed. While it hurt to read, I love that the author represented the reality that many indigenous communities face when it comes to lack of representation by the law.
The writing was so beautiful. I'm definitely adding this to a reread list. The narrator was amazing, but I wish I would have read this physically to annotate it. There's so many beautiful and tragic scenes. Following characters who live in an Ojibwe reservation made for such an informative read. I learned so much while still being kept entertained with the characters and progressing plot (which I think makes for the most amazing storytelling).
I literally cannot say enough good things about this book. I recommend it to any and everyone (so long as there are no trigger warnings that concern you, of course). I already can't wait to reread it.
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
βββοΈβοΈβοΈ
Fire Keeper's Daughter is a contemporary mystery following the investigation into a lethal new drug. Daunis becomes tangled in the FBI's investigation in her Ojibwe community. While undercover, Daunis comes to understand just how dangerous the situation is as new secrets are exposed and lives are being lost.
First of all, Miigwech to Angeline Boulley for such a stunning and informative book.
The heart of this story is the mystery of the drug operation, but I was so into this book for every possible aspect of it. It was so easy to fall in love with her characters, which in turn made me feel so much more passionately for them when they were hurt or betrayed. I teared up so many times. I loved following Daunis. I fell in love with her science brain and felt my heart sink at all the trauma she endured.
The mystery was very interesting. Boulley's method of giving little bits of information here and there kept me on my toes. But the climax? O M G! There were SO many twists that shook me so hard! Daunis' ability to keep bouncing back and not give up was incredible, and I respected how raw and real she was portrayed. While it hurt to read, I love that the author represented the reality that many indigenous communities face when it comes to lack of representation by the law.
The writing was so beautiful. I'm definitely adding this to a reread list. The narrator was amazing, but I wish I would have read this physically to annotate it. There's so many beautiful and tragic scenes. Following characters who live in an Ojibwe reservation made for such an informative read. I learned so much while still being kept entertained with the characters and progressing plot (which I think makes for the most amazing storytelling).
I literally cannot say enough good things about this book. I recommend it to any and everyone (so long as there are no trigger warnings that concern you, of course). I already can't wait to reread it.
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Drug use
Blood and Moonlight by Erin Beaty
dark
mysterious
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? N/A
5.0
"π π°πΆ π€π’π―'π΅ π΅π³πΆππΊ π£π¦ π¨π°π°π₯ πΆπ―ππ¦π΄π΄ πΊπ°πΆ π©π’π·π¦ π΅π©π¦ π€π©π°πͺπ€π¦ π―π°π΅ π΅π° π£π¦."
βββοΈβοΈβοΈ
A huge thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for an eARC in return for an honest review.
Blood and Moonlight is a fantasy thriller set in medieval times. After finding a serial killer's victim, Catrin is pulled into the investigation with Simon. Catrin's secret magical sight and Simon's uncanny ability to understand the mind of a murderer make for an exciting duo as everyone comes in to question.
There is so much I absolutely loved about this book, so this is about to be a pretty lengthy list. For starters, I mainly read fantasy as it's what I love. I adored the fantastical elements in this story, but I have to admit that the mystery plot of the book stole the spotlight for me (which I'm SO happy about since every other fantasy/mystery has been the opposite, I'm glad for something new ans exciting)! Erin Beaty did SUCH an amazing job at making everyone a suspect, I doubted almost every character at different points of the book. The resolution of the mystery seemed fitting, and the climax was so tense and well done (I binged the last 35% of the book). Seeing the characters unraveling the mind of a killer was engaging and thrilling, and it made so much sense in the end (although I didn't guess the killer accurately until right as it was unfolding haha)!
The way the fantastical elements were revealed had me dying to continue reading. The magic system felt unique, and I liked learning about who Catrin was and why she wasn't raised by her parents. The romance didn't take over the plot, which was definitely a plus. I enjoyed how the romance developed and effected everything. I also loved that we got mental illness representation (and the author's note in the back discussing the representation was also well written- I'm glad Beaty included it).
Pretty much, what I'm saying, is I loved everything about this book. I personally cannot find a fault. It was a super entertaining read, and I desperately need to seek out Erin Beaty's other books now!
βββοΈβοΈβοΈ
A huge thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for an eARC in return for an honest review.
Blood and Moonlight is a fantasy thriller set in medieval times. After finding a serial killer's victim, Catrin is pulled into the investigation with Simon. Catrin's secret magical sight and Simon's uncanny ability to understand the mind of a murderer make for an exciting duo as everyone comes in to question.
There is so much I absolutely loved about this book, so this is about to be a pretty lengthy list. For starters, I mainly read fantasy as it's what I love. I adored the fantastical elements in this story, but I have to admit that the mystery plot of the book stole the spotlight for me (which I'm SO happy about since every other fantasy/mystery has been the opposite, I'm glad for something new ans exciting)! Erin Beaty did SUCH an amazing job at making everyone a suspect, I doubted almost every character at different points of the book. The resolution of the mystery seemed fitting, and the climax was so tense and well done (I binged the last 35% of the book). Seeing the characters unraveling the mind of a killer was engaging and thrilling, and it made so much sense in the end (although I didn't guess the killer accurately until right as it was unfolding haha)!
The way the fantastical elements were revealed had me dying to continue reading. The magic system felt unique, and I liked learning about who Catrin was and why she wasn't raised by her parents. The romance didn't take over the plot, which was definitely a plus. I enjoyed how the romance developed and effected everything. I also loved that we got mental illness representation (and the author's note in the back discussing the representation was also well written- I'm glad Beaty included it).
Pretty much, what I'm saying, is I loved everything about this book. I personally cannot find a fault. It was a super entertaining read, and I desperately need to seek out Erin Beaty's other books now!
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
slow-paced
2.0
ββ
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishing for an eARC in return for an honest review.
Juniper and Thorn is a Gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree. It is the first Gothic horror I have read. I suppose for people who like Gothic Horror, this may be for them, but I don't think I will be choosing to read from this genre again. Other than the repetitious phrases and ideas, I think the author's writing was well done.
The book was slow paced in a way I could not fully enjoy. The romance felt insta-lovey/lusty. The constant sexualization of everything was not it for me. I wasn't really interested in our main character until about 85% into the story.
The ending redeemed this for me a little, therefore the two stars. The climax and ending allowed to see out character finally have some development.
ββ
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishing for an eARC in return for an honest review.
Juniper and Thorn is a Gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree. It is the first Gothic horror I have read. I suppose for people who like Gothic Horror, this may be for them, but I don't think I will be choosing to read from this genre again. Other than the repetitious phrases and ideas, I think the author's writing was well done.
The book was slow paced in a way I could not fully enjoy. The romance felt insta-lovey/lusty. The constant sexualization of everything was not it for me. I wasn't really interested in our main character until about 85% into the story.
The ending redeemed this for me a little, therefore the two stars. The climax and ending allowed to see out character finally have some development.
ββ
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
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
5.0
I absolutely adored this. I listened to the audio, and the narrator was great.
The romance was adorable, the banter between all the characters (especially Alex and Henry) was so much fun, and thr smut was pleasantly written and didn't leave me cringing. There were moments too was laughing out load and scenes that had me crying, especially the further towards the end we got. I love romances with mental health representation, as well as other important topics being explored like how this book did. I was worried I wouldn't like the political aspects of the book but I was absolutely wrong. They added so much depth to the story and it was actually fun to follow. This was 10000% a pleasant surprise for me.
History, huh?
The romance was adorable, the banter between all the characters (especially Alex and Henry) was so much fun, and thr smut was pleasantly written and didn't leave me cringing. There were moments too was laughing out load and scenes that had me crying, especially the further towards the end we got. I love romances with mental health representation, as well as other important topics being explored like how this book did. I was worried I wouldn't like the political aspects of the book but I was absolutely wrong. They added so much depth to the story and it was actually fun to follow. This was 10000% a pleasant surprise for me.
History, huh?
The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
"First we traded stories foe money to sustain us in the hard times. Now we trade money for stories to sustain us in harder times."
βββββ
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC in return for an honest review.
Also, thank you to the author, Saara El-Arifi, for writing such a fantastic book.
The Final Strife is the first of a trilogy inspired by African and Arabian mythology with a caste system determined by the color of one's blood. Sylah was once part of a growing rebellion, until the red blooded "Embers" killed them all. After a drug induced high, Sylah meets Anoor, a young woman who grew up at the abusive hands of her red blooded mother. Hassa, who can pass for being invisible thanks to her translucent blood locking her status in the lowest of the caste system, is the final key to aiding Sylah and Anoor in updending the empire.
The only issue I had while reading this book is that I didn't want to put it down. This book had so many aspects to it that enthralled me. Rebellion tropes always excite me, and El-Arifi wasn't afraid to show the truth behind the malicious ways of the empire to raise the stakes. The world is wonderfully crafted all throughout the book, its history unraveling as you follow the characters and their development. The characters and their relationships are so fleshed out, it feels like you could reach out and touch them. Despite its dark themes, it never failed to offer comedic relief through dark humor that had me chuckling.
The writing was incredibly engrossing. I never wanted to put the book down. For a chunky book, it read pretty fast. You get snippets of information from different aspects of thr book at the start of each chapter (such as from an essay a character wrote, a law the warden put into effect, etc.), and it was interesting to piece together why these snippets related to the chapter and see how the world worked.
The undertones of this fantasy story follow the impacts of discrimination, colonization, abuse of caste systems, political corruption, and altering/erasing history to benefit those on top. You're given snippets of information throughout the latter half of the book that could lead to a twist, but the twists that ended up happening were so much more intricate and exciting than I expected. I cannot wait for a second book, to be back with these characters and see how their rebellion continues to unfold. I honestly cannot think of anything I did not enjoy from The Final Strife, and I fully recommend this to anyone looking for a dark epic fantasy with loads of representation in it!
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A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC in return for an honest review.
Also, thank you to the author, Saara El-Arifi, for writing such a fantastic book.
The Final Strife is the first of a trilogy inspired by African and Arabian mythology with a caste system determined by the color of one's blood. Sylah was once part of a growing rebellion, until the red blooded "Embers" killed them all. After a drug induced high, Sylah meets Anoor, a young woman who grew up at the abusive hands of her red blooded mother. Hassa, who can pass for being invisible thanks to her translucent blood locking her status in the lowest of the caste system, is the final key to aiding Sylah and Anoor in updending the empire.
The only issue I had while reading this book is that I didn't want to put it down. This book had so many aspects to it that enthralled me. Rebellion tropes always excite me, and El-Arifi wasn't afraid to show the truth behind the malicious ways of the empire to raise the stakes. The world is wonderfully crafted all throughout the book, its history unraveling as you follow the characters and their development. The characters and their relationships are so fleshed out, it feels like you could reach out and touch them. Despite its dark themes, it never failed to offer comedic relief through dark humor that had me chuckling.
The writing was incredibly engrossing. I never wanted to put the book down. For a chunky book, it read pretty fast. You get snippets of information from different aspects of thr book at the start of each chapter (such as from an essay a character wrote, a law the warden put into effect, etc.), and it was interesting to piece together why these snippets related to the chapter and see how the world worked.
The undertones of this fantasy story follow the impacts of discrimination, colonization, abuse of caste systems, political corruption, and altering/erasing history to benefit those on top. You're given snippets of information throughout the latter half of the book that could lead to a twist, but the twists that ended up happening were so much more intricate and exciting than I expected. I cannot wait for a second book, to be back with these characters and see how their rebellion continues to unfold. I honestly cannot think of anything I did not enjoy from The Final Strife, and I fully recommend this to anyone looking for a dark epic fantasy with loads of representation in it!