hannahbailey's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Stylistically, I thought this was written really well and the concept was very interesting. But my god, was this long-winded. I kept reading because I thought that at any moment we'd get to the point...we didn't get there until the final pages -- more fool me đ
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.Â
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.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Gore, Grief, Violence, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, and Murder
katievallin's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Grief, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Stalking, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Child death and Sexual content
rdmoreland0801's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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 story for this book was great, although I donât think it played out as well as it could have. The first half of the book was really slow and not a lot happened. It just wasnât memorable overall, as I had to really think about what previously happened when I picked it up the next day.
The narration was good, but I wish they wouldâve cast a male voice actor for Kamran. I just couldnât get the full effect with the deep, slow voice of a woman.
I love second-half Alizeh who isnât afraid to speak her mind. 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. He just canât seem to keep his eyes off of her, which I think is adorable.
Overall, a solid 4âď¸ book. Iâll will definitely be continuing with the series.
The narration was good, but I wish they wouldâve cast a male voice actor for Kamran. I just couldnât get the full effect with the deep, slow voice of a woman.
I love second-half Alizeh who isnât afraid to speak her mind. 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. He just canât seem to keep his eyes off of her, which I think is adorable.
Overall, a solid 4âď¸ book. Iâll will definitely be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
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
loveat1stwrite's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
 **A copy of this book was provided to me by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.**
This Woven Kingdom contains beautiful prose and descriptions, but unfortunately very little plot. It comes with the territory of an almost 500-page book that spans about 3 days of in-book time. 60% of This Woven Kingdom is the main charactersâ inner monologue, 20% is setting/food/clothing description, 10% is verbal dialogue, and the last 10% is where the actual occurring events happen. I prefer to be shown actions to back up character motivations and thoughts, but this book heavily relies upon the reader being told what to think. The whole experience made it hard to connect with, or even like, either of the two main protagonists.
I was hoping for a lush Persian mythology read, but This Woven Kingdom is essentially a Cinderella retelling with cosmetic Middle Eastern inspirations regarding food and clothing. A dual-POV read, we alternate between Alizeh a long-lost princess of the Jinn who is currently hiding as a lowly servant, and Kamran the heir to the human empire of Ardunia. Their lots in life place them at odds, for Alizeh was prophesized to end the reign of the current king of Ardunia, Kamranâs grandfather. Of course, Alizeh and Kamran happen to cross paths on the street and become an insta-love forbidden romance. As I mentioned, this book is about 10% plot. Over the course of about 3 days, Kamran and Alizeh think about the other non-stop and their inner thoughts take up the majority of the writing of this book. All of this builds up to a ball, (Yay, an event is finally occurring!) so you have that to look forward to in the last 100 pages or so.
If you come into this with the right mindset, I think it can certainly be an enjoyable read, but it was very different than how it was marketed and you have to be ready for it to be a slow-paced read, very trope-heavy and descriptor-heavy.Â
This Woven Kingdom contains beautiful prose and descriptions, but unfortunately very little plot. It comes with the territory of an almost 500-page book that spans about 3 days of in-book time. 60% of This Woven Kingdom is the main charactersâ inner monologue, 20% is setting/food/clothing description, 10% is verbal dialogue, and the last 10% is where the actual occurring events happen. I prefer to be shown actions to back up character motivations and thoughts, but this book heavily relies upon the reader being told what to think. The whole experience made it hard to connect with, or even like, either of the two main protagonists.
I was hoping for a lush Persian mythology read, but This Woven Kingdom is essentially a Cinderella retelling with cosmetic Middle Eastern inspirations regarding food and clothing. A dual-POV read, we alternate between Alizeh a long-lost princess of the Jinn who is currently hiding as a lowly servant, and Kamran the heir to the human empire of Ardunia. Their lots in life place them at odds, for Alizeh was prophesized to end the reign of the current king of Ardunia, Kamranâs grandfather. Of course, Alizeh and Kamran happen to cross paths on the street and become an insta-love forbidden romance. As I mentioned, this book is about 10% plot. Over the course of about 3 days, Kamran and Alizeh think about the other non-stop and their inner thoughts take up the majority of the writing of this book. All of this builds up to a ball, (Yay, an event is finally occurring!) so you have that to look forward to in the last 100 pages or so.
If you come into this with the right mindset, I think it can certainly be an enjoyable read, but it was very different than how it was marketed and you have to be ready for it to be a slow-paced read, very trope-heavy and descriptor-heavy.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
joni_smits's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
When I started reading this book I thought I would like it much more than I actually didâŚ
For the first half of the book I was really struggling to actually reading it⌠I was bored and quite confused, I didnât connect with the characters and I just wanted to DNF or to go through with it the fastest I couldâŚ
The writing itself is amazing! I just think the first half of the book could be cut in half đ
For the second half of the book⌠that really saved it entirely! The last 100 pages were the most interesting! Some twists and full of plot in the end⌠sadly I think the beginning was so slow and the ending so rushedâŚ
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 powersâŚ
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.Â
When Kamran says âYou have consumed my thoughts since the moment I met you (âŚ) I feel now, in your presence, entirely strange. I think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears againâ I can definitely ignore the fact that I donât like instant love trope.Â
There is a brief knife to the throat scene - always a good add to a book đđź
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 3,5âď¸
For the first half of the book I was really struggling to actually reading it⌠I was bored and quite confused, I didnât connect with the characters and I just wanted to DNF or to go through with it the fastest I couldâŚ
The writing itself is amazing! I just think the first half of the book could be cut in half đ
For the second half of the book⌠that really saved it entirely! The last 100 pages were the most interesting! Some twists and full of plot in the end⌠sadly I think the beginning was so slow and the ending so rushedâŚ
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 powersâŚ
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.Â
When Kamran says âYou have consumed my thoughts since the moment I met you (âŚ) I feel now, in your presence, entirely strange. I think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears againâ I can definitely ignore the fact that I donât like instant love trope.Â
There is a brief knife to the throat scene - always a good add to a book đđź
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 3,5âď¸
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, and Blood
cobaltmade's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
5.0
inject the writing into my veins, i can live on tahereh mafi writing alone
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, and Body shaming
Minor: Murder
dancing_on_ur_muml0l's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Spoiler
there is no fucking way Iblees is responsible for all of this. nobody can convince me the traitorous two faced bitch isn't Hazan. Think about it. He's friends with Kamran and basically a friend to Alizeh because he's serving her, but he doesn't tell Alizeh what she wants to know when she needs to know and refuses to communicate to Kamran about why he acts like he's holding a secret from him. He's dissatisfying both of the main characters, and in Iblees' poem he says " Two have a friend who is foe to all". Two people!! have the same friend!! who do they both have in common? Hazan! The devil didn't even visit Kamran once or talk to him at all, while Alizeh gets a visit from him once a month, so it can't be him. and in the poem Iblees also says "Always the jester will interfere, for there cannot be three sovereigns here." Imho the jester symbolises the man who is subject to service of the royal, aka Kamran and Alizeh. He is serving Alizeh to help her escape and he is serving Kamran as his minister. He was trying to get Alizeh out of the castle to escape, but didn't even tell her what she needed to know. Hazan walked off with Kamran before Alizeh could get Hazan alone after he discovered her and Kamran together and alone. bam. It's Hazan, not Iblees. I will not believe any other opinions respectfully.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, and Physical abuse