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anastasiamakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
That being said, I did appreciate the world Naseem had created, the descriptions of the ways the magic worked, the strong family dynamics, and the "medical fantasy" theme which I'd definitely like to read more of.
Graphic: Xenophobia and Blood
nerdatlas5'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
4.25
With that aside, I really enjoyed this. I listened to it on audiobook and while at first I thought that this was just set up for a larger series with not a lot moving it forward plot wise, it proved me wrong. Firuz and the rest of the cast of characters were pretty well fleshed out. Since the first half of the book was setting up the conflicts of the latter half, we spent a lot of time in Firuz's head exploring the complex relationships between them and their brother, mentor, and the teen they start to teach blood magic to. Despite references to their mom, she is notably absent throughout the book, and considering there is established friction between them I would have liked to see mom more.
I also feel like the antagonist's reasons for doing what they did wasn't as thought out as I would have liked. Like there's a gap between the person they were before we knew their whole plan, and after it unravels, like they weren't the same person. It would have been nice to maybe have a moment or 2 of Firuz in a longer conversation with them, and perhaps that would have tied the motivation more clearly to the character better.
The setting was well developed too. The setting is inspired by the author's background, and you can see that in the world's treatment of refugees based on their ethnicity and the class struggles, yet it also still maintains its sense of fantasy through the magic system. I would be glad to see more from this world if the author continues with it.
I think the audiobook itself was good; I've learned that I can only listen to audiobooks in the car. Anywhere else and I get too distracted to pay attention lol.
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
taratearex'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
4.0
Reread 2024
I really enjoy this little novella! Despite being a novella, it's dense with worldbuilding and strong characters, the world feels fully realized, yet leaves so many questions that it could have easily been a full length novel delving deeper. The writing is also dense, at times a bit hard to follow or doesn't quite flow, but still quite enjoyable and I look forward to more from this author. I absolutely loved the queer normative world and nonbinary and trans main characters, would love for a this to be a series of novellas in this universe.
The audiobook is excellent, read by one of my favorite narrators Fajer Al-Kaisi. My first read was the audiobook alone and given the dense worldbuilding, I preferred having the physical book this time, but I still listened to the audiobook because I just love the narration.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Gore, Racism, and Xenophobia
treereadingabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, and Blood
theboricuabookworm'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Colonisation
zydecovivo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Bullying, Genocide, Hate crime, Violence, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
mnstarr'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, and Dysphoria
Minor: Torture and Death of parent
flyinglark'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
3.75
I enjoyed how Firuz was a relatively "normal" protagonist, a thirty-year-old provider for their family who fled from their home country and does not rock the boat. Jamnia also highlights the nuances of immigration and being prideful of one's culture, as they mention, "[w]hat does it mean to be oppressed when you were once an oppressor."
I look forward to future work from this author, especially future works in this world.
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Physical abuse, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
alwaysairie'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
3.25
It is basically a murder mystery with magic and disease as a focus. The story is nothing revolutionary and the resolution is quite predictable. This said it wasn't something displeasing! In fact, it gave a lot of space to be with Firuz which was a great character to follow throughout the story.
It will also serve as a good representation for queer folks of Persian background, I'm very happy that this story exists for them
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, and Vomit
onegalonelife27'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? It's complicated
4.0
I also liked the way the story was format, dividing Firuz's story into three chapters or years. First, the first year with them trying to get a job as a healer and adjusting to their new life. The second focusing on the new plague spreading on their relationship with their brother and student. The last one a dramatic conclusion to everything!
Though I have to admit, I do feel this book does more telling and showing. Like different parts of characters' backstory are just told to the reader at certain moments with not much hinting. The backstories make sense, but I'd prefer to not be used as dramatic fodder.
Overall, pretty good if you want a different kind of fantasy story that keeps you on your toes.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Dysphoria
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury