jennifersiyuanzhou's review
3.0
loved the magic system
loved the city
wish saw more of the silk road aspect
didn't follow the romance
climax was very...anti-climatic?
plot but fairly meh, character interactions were much nicer
honestly might have liked the story better if we took out the more political side (cuz it didn't really go anywhere)
maybe just more of the characters interacting with each other and growing??
loved the city
wish saw more of the silk road aspect
didn't follow the romance
climax was very...anti-climatic?
plot but fairly meh, character interactions were much nicer
honestly might have liked the story better if we took out the more political side (cuz it didn't really go anywhere)
maybe just more of the characters interacting with each other and growing??
bakingwithconfidence's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mandykins007's review
5.0
This was gorgeously written! So beautifully descriptive. Heartbreaking at times but so incredibly well done! I wish there was another to accompany this gem! Honestly one of the most beautifully descriptive books I've ever read. The language was stunning.
yoloswag's review
3.0
*actual rating is 2.5 stars*
Something about this book just felt...off to me :( All the characters were mildly bland (despite the fact that they should have been interesting!) and I didn't see any reason for why I should like or truly care about any of them. Also please I was so irritated by the way Fatima's new name was repeatedly used over and over and over again until I started to feel irrational anger every time "Fatima Ghazala" said or did *anything* :/ and the other major gripe I have is that her personality flippin did a 180 after she became the Name Giver and like. I get it. She became "whole" and "her true self" and yada yada but? straight up felt like I read a half of a book about one mc and the next half was a totally different book about a completely different mc yeehaw
Something about this book just felt...off to me :( All the characters were mildly bland (despite the fact that they should have been interesting!) and I didn't see any reason for why I should like or truly care about any of them. Also please I was so irritated by the way Fatima's new name was repeatedly used over and over and over again until I started to feel irrational anger every time "Fatima Ghazala" said or did *anything* :/ and the other major gripe I have is that her personality flippin did a 180 after she became the Name Giver and like. I get it. She became "whole" and "her true self" and yada yada but? straight up felt like I read a half of a book about one mc and the next half was a totally different book about a completely different mc yeehaw
bak8382's review against another edition
4.0
I almost gave up on this, I enjoyed the first few chapters, but then I had other reading to do. When I picked it up again I couldn't remember what was happening, but I'm glad I decided to continue. Fatima was a strong female protagonist in an intricately built world.
readingistravel's review
4.0
The story was well written. The main character loved to eat, for some reason the author took the time to describe the food, and the taste which disrupted the flow of the story for me. But it was a fun read.
sefab764's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
Everything about this book is beautiful. I cannot tell you how long I've been ogling that cover. And the story inside of it? Magnificence in ink.
Fatima Ghazala is a fiery, entertaining heroine, and Zulfikar is a squishy lovable teddy bear who likes to pretend he's a black bear. He's a great leader, honest, but he's also a marshmellow.
Aarush is a surprisingly human character. I was delighted by him and Aruna both. And I think that the traps that they both fell into are realistic, because they are born of love. Bhavya annoyed me to no end at first, but at the end she was an absolute badass and if this story were to continue from her perspective, I would read that in a heartbeat.
I'm always a little bit nervous, buying books from authors I've not read before. I can't tell you how many times I've picked up a promising book, only to have my hopes come crashing down in under a 100 pages. I was so so delighted with this book, and I will be adding Mrs. Azad to my auto-buy list (about that Bhavya-cenric story...😉)
Really, this book is worth it, I promise.
Fatima Ghazala is a fiery, entertaining heroine, and Zulfikar is a squishy lovable teddy bear who likes to pretend he's a black bear. He's a great leader, honest, but he's also a marshmellow.
Aarush is a surprisingly human character. I was delighted by him and Aruna both. And I think that the traps that they both fell into are realistic, because they are born of love. Bhavya annoyed me to no end at first, but at the end she was an absolute badass and if this story were to continue from her perspective, I would read that in a heartbeat.
I'm always a little bit nervous, buying books from authors I've not read before. I can't tell you how many times I've picked up a promising book, only to have my hopes come crashing down in under a 100 pages. I was so so delighted with this book, and I will be adding Mrs. Azad to my auto-buy list (about that Bhavya-cenric story...😉)
Really, this book is worth it, I promise.