gingerbooknerd3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death, and Stalking
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Hate crime, Medical content, Misogyny, War, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Violence, Gore, Genocide, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Physical abuse
hannahbailey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
There was so much potential here but we spend too long in the main characters' heads, rather than in their world. I don't mind internal dialogue but both MCs' thoughts were repetitive and confusing in the sense that their decision-making skills seemed to be lacking. The prince was so whiny and passive whilst the FMC lacked personality, I wanted to root for them but lost interest by the end of the book. It definitely felt like a huge setup for the next book which seems to be in a completely different setting with more characters introduced. Obviously, a setup is needed to make you pick up the next instalment, but it's always a shame when the first novel itself can't be treated as a standalone in its own right.Ā
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Gore, Grief, Violence, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, and Murder
rdmoreland0801's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The narration was good, but I wish they wouldāve cast a male voice actor for Kamran.Ā I just couldnāt get the full effect with the deep, slow voice of a woman.
I love second-half Alizeh who isnāt afraid to speak her mind.Ā When she finally loses her temper, we get a glimpse of who this character was meant to be.
Kamran is a little whiny, but falls head-over-heels for Alizeh in the silliest way.Ā He just canāt seem to keep his eyes off of her, which I think is adorable.
Overall, a solid 4āļø book.Ā Iāll will definitely be continuing with the series.
Moderate: Classism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Racism, Suicide attempt, and War
Minor: Genocide
emolr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Self harm, Child abuse, Classism, Racism, Violence, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicide attempt, Death, Death of parent, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Genocide
peachieko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood, Violence, and Sexual content
joni_smits's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism and War
robyn_vennard's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Death, Classism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Physical abuse, War, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
danibatista's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
For the first half of the book I was really struggling to actually reading itā¦ I was bored and quite confused, I didnāt connect with the characters and I just wanted to DNF or to go through with it the fastest I couldā¦
The writing itself is amazing! I just think the first half of the book could be cut in half š
For the second half of the bookā¦ that really saved it entirely! The last 100 pages were the most interesting! Some twists and full of plot in the endā¦ sadly I think the beginning was so slow and the ending so rushedā¦
There is dual POV - we get to know Alizeh, a Jinn and a lost queen, and we get to know Kamran, the prince of Ardunia. About Alizeh - she is a badass but I was hoping to know more about her powersā¦
Kamran I liked from the beginning! He is so intelligent and we can see his character development very well. And the way he talks to Alizeh is just wow.Ā
When Kamran says āYou have consumed my thoughts since the moment I met you (ā¦) I feel now, in your presence, entirely strange. I think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears againā I can definitely ignore the fact that I donāt like instant love trope.Ā
There is a brief knife to the throat scene - always a good add to a book šš¼
And what about that ending? A major cliffhanger! Now all I want is that second book please!
Overall, due to the fact that a bit more than 50% of the book I was quite bored, I give it 3,5āļø
Moderate: Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, and Blood
teri_b's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The fairy tale retelling from the a thousand Arabian nights, the setting, the slow, careful world building and the female main character, that I just had to respect for the love she holds for humanity even though her parents are long since gone.
And, of course, there is excellent representation of female craftmanship on these pages as she knows her way around with sewing and tailoring and clothing someone beautifully, making them look truly beautiful.
I would have loved to immediately continue with this story, as a good fairy tale retelling that also has some djinns involved, I simply cannot resist.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Death