readingsitaaras's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Tahereh Mafi has done it again cause I enjoyed this book so much! A Cinderella rags-to-riches type of story set in a Persian mythology inspired fantasy, This Woven Kingdom makes a highly enjoyable and interesting addition to the genre. I've read Mafi's past series, Shatter Me, and this new book of hers has shown that she's only grown with her writing since then.
One big step up with This Woven Kingdom was the plot. It has far more substance, with a nice balance of focus between characters and plot. The worldbuilding was also well-done, though sometimes a little awkwardly or clumsily communicated.
The characters are generally well-developed, especially Alizeh, who you can't help but love for her determination, kindness, and strength. She is so great, in fact, that she seemingly has no flaws which you might like or dislike. Personally, picture perfect characters tend to be boring for me but I feel like there might be more to her that we simply haven't seen yet. On the other hand, Kamran has his flaws but it makes him more interesting and I appreciated that he would learn from his mistakes. I would have loved to see more from Hazan and get to know his motivations and relationship with Kamran a little better, but there's always room for that in book 2.
Pacing-wise, it was slow for the most part, but I personally love lingering in these fantasy worlds a little and enjoying the day to day, before it gets all crazy at the end (which it does).
Overall, there really wasn't anything significantly negative for me to critique. If I were to nitpick, I'd probably say that the writing was a little too formal? While it was very beautiful writing, at one point I noticed how often "for" was used in place of "but" in an attempt to sound formal and once I did, I couldn't stop seeing it with how frequently it was used. Loosening the use of formal language and adding some variety probably would have benefited the book, but aside from that, it was a great read. If you've read Shatter Me and loved it, or even if you only felt a little ambivalent about it, I'd definitely recommend giving This Woven Kingdom a try.
One big step up with This Woven Kingdom was the plot. It has far more substance, with a nice balance of focus between characters and plot. The worldbuilding was also well-done, though sometimes a little awkwardly or clumsily communicated.
The characters are generally well-developed, especially Alizeh, who you can't help but love for her determination, kindness, and strength. She is so great, in fact, that she seemingly has no flaws which you might like or dislike. Personally, picture perfect characters tend to be boring for me but I feel like there might be more to her that we simply haven't seen yet. On the other hand, Kamran has his flaws but it makes him more interesting and I appreciated that he would learn from his mistakes. I would have loved to see more from Hazan and get to know his motivations and relationship with Kamran a little better, but there's always room for that in book 2.
Pacing-wise, it was slow for the most part, but I personally love lingering in these fantasy worlds a little and enjoying the day to day, before it gets all crazy at the end (which it does).
Overall, there really wasn't anything significantly negative for me to critique. If I were to nitpick, I'd probably say that the writing was a little too formal? While it was very beautiful writing, at one point I noticed how often "for" was used in place of "but" in an attempt to sound formal and once I did, I couldn't stop seeing it with how frequently it was used. Loosening the use of formal language and adding some variety probably would have benefited the book, but aside from that, it was a great read. If you've read Shatter Me and loved it, or even if you only felt a little ambivalent about it, I'd definitely recommend giving This Woven Kingdom a try.
shalice21's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
auroracn's review against another edition
adventurous
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? N/A
3.5
kualacactus's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
chrissireads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
insightfulcrow's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
elovve's review against another edition
5.0
uh-oh, I'm in much trouble.
There is not a single rational thought crossing my head as I close this book, my lips still parted from the GASP I let go at the end. WHAT WAS THAT? I cannot even beginning to say how much I enjoyed this book. From the way this was written so beautifully to the action, I loved everything.
I can't wait for the second book, can't wait for these deeply intricate questions to find answers. Opening this book at 8p.m. was definitely a mistake, given that I was unable to close it and stayed up all night, but that is a mistake I'll gladly make again.
oh and... oh how I wish someone would think of me the way Kamran thought of Alizeh in chapter twelve. *swooning*
There is not a single rational thought crossing my head as I close this book, my lips still parted from the GASP I let go at the end. WHAT WAS THAT? I cannot even beginning to say how much I enjoyed this book. From the way this was written so beautifully to the action, I loved everything.
I can't wait for the second book, can't wait for these deeply intricate questions to find answers. Opening this book at 8p.m. was definitely a mistake, given that I was unable to close it and stayed up all night, but that is a mistake I'll gladly make again.
oh and... oh how I wish someone would think of me the way Kamran thought of Alizeh in chapter twelve. *swooning*
sunny_the_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Tahereh Mafi's writing is impeccable in this. I'm actually obsessed. And THAT ENDING??? What even-😭
mollieweitzman's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
Okay so it was a slow start at first but OH MY GOD GENIUS?!?! I was thinking about this book nonstop at work once I got about 25-50% in. And SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP AT THE BANTER!! And the last page had me HOWLING OH MY GOD I AM SO HAPPY AND READY TO ORDER BOOK TWO ON AMAZON