Scan barcode
lizouzou's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Balloon Thief was a story that I have decidedly mixed feelings about. Maybe it was because I had a very stop and start experience with it.
The beginning of the novel was really strong. It had easy-to-follow worldbuilding, snappy and fast-paced plotting, and strong characterisation. I really liked the fact that Aneesa Marufu included atrans character called Anam, I thought that arc was really well done .
I think the problem started when Marufu tried to introduce a secondary male character and make him the MC'slove interest , and despite Marufu's attempts to make it work, I just didn't feel any chemistry between them. When they finally kissI didn't feel it at all.
And while the main conflict between the Ghadaeans and the Hāri was established well - as were the rebel groups that play a key role in the novel - it later became a bit too heavy-handed for my liking. I also felt the ending was rushed.
It was a fun read with some good action scenes, but ultimately I didn't fall in love with it.
The beginning of the novel was really strong. It had easy-to-follow worldbuilding, snappy and fast-paced plotting, and strong characterisation. I really liked the fact that Aneesa Marufu included a
I think the problem started when Marufu tried to introduce a secondary male character and make him the MC's
And while the main conflict between the Ghadaeans and the Hāri was established well - as were the rebel groups that play a key role in the novel - it later became a bit too heavy-handed for my liking. I also felt the ending was rushed.
It was a fun read with some good action scenes, but ultimately I didn't fall in love with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Genocide and Death of parent
Minor: War
alexmcfly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
arrieffy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.0
shauniesbookshelves's review against another edition
3.0
A 5.5/10 really. It was good, but I felt that even for YA the writing was quite childish at times, and although a lot happens in the story it could feel quite sluggish. It was interesting to see the races swapped in terms of power, much like Noughts and Crosses, and yet the Hāri (white) racism towards the Ghadeans was a pretty standard representation of history… very thought provoking. Also, the mother-son love bond in this was top notch, because as someone who is close to their own mother I can just imagine her being the same way! I can definitely see the appeal of this one, it just wasn’t a favourite for me.
makexbelieve's review against another edition
4.0
The Balloon Thief is filled with stunning world building. I especially loved the balloon flights and the descriptions of the balloons, which were so vivid and beautiful.
It's a story about escape, freedom and the power to control your own life, and explores gender and racial inequalities through the eyes of its two protagonists, Khadija, a Ghadaean girl who has spent her life trapped in her bedroom, desperately trying to avoid her father's attempts to marry her off, and Jacob, a hari boy who works as an apprentice for a Ghadaean glass maker. When Khadija steals a balloon from the market and takes off into the sky, she is thrown into a world of rebellion, magic and difficult choices.
Both main characters are really well developed. Khadija is immediately easy to root for. She's not perfect, and as a result is able to grow over the course of the novel in a realistic and relatable way. Jacob makes a lot of mistakes, but his motivation is always clear (even when, as a reader, you want to shout at him to stop!) Anam was another favourite character.
There's lots of action and fantasy too. The Balloon Thief has plenty of epic, cinematic fight scenes and drama that kept me turning the page, as well as a sweet romantic sub-plot and dangerous, dark magic.
Marufu also explores the bond between parents and their children through Khadija and her Abba, and Vera and Caleb. Vera made a great antagonist, as I was never quite sure what she was going to do next, but her motivation was always clear.
Thank you Nina Douglas and Chicken House for sending me an advanced copy for review.
It's a story about escape, freedom and the power to control your own life, and explores gender and racial inequalities through the eyes of its two protagonists, Khadija, a Ghadaean girl who has spent her life trapped in her bedroom, desperately trying to avoid her father's attempts to marry her off, and Jacob, a hari boy who works as an apprentice for a Ghadaean glass maker. When Khadija steals a balloon from the market and takes off into the sky, she is thrown into a world of rebellion, magic and difficult choices.
Both main characters are really well developed. Khadija is immediately easy to root for. She's not perfect, and as a result is able to grow over the course of the novel in a realistic and relatable way. Jacob makes a lot of mistakes, but his motivation is always clear (even when, as a reader, you want to shout at him to stop!) Anam was another favourite character.
There's lots of action and fantasy too. The Balloon Thief has plenty of epic, cinematic fight scenes and drama that kept me turning the page, as well as a sweet romantic sub-plot and dangerous, dark magic.
Marufu also explores the bond between parents and their children through Khadija and her Abba, and Vera and Caleb. Vera made a great antagonist, as I was never quite sure what she was going to do next, but her motivation was always clear.
Thank you Nina Douglas and Chicken House for sending me an advanced copy for review.
thebooksareeverywhere's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Chicken House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book drew me in from the very first page, and I really loved the concept and focus on hot air balloons. It was such a unique idea and I love how the world building centred around the balloons from the very start.
I listened to the audiobook, which at the start of the book really drew me in and I enjoyed Khadija’s chapters a lot. The concept of her escaping her possessive and controlling father gave an added layer to the story that felt really important and well written. We also had a POV of Jacob, a Hari, who were looked down upon by society.
The unlikely friendship struck between these two meant the prejudices and divergences between the two characters were faced head on and discussed throughout the book. I really enjoyed seeing the divisions dissolve between the two main characters and this felt like an important theme.
However, this book did start to let me down in the second half, as more and more started to happen. We went from a story focusing on family, friendship and prejudice, to a highly complex world including terrorism, Jinn, protests, attacks and dark magic. There was an introduction of a large amount of characters that left me feeling confused and struggling to focus on the story.
Overall, this book started so strong and I really loved the concept throughout, but lost me as it became overly complex and seemed to drift away from the original plot and point to the story. A solid debut with great world building, but I most likely won’t be continuing with the series.
★★★
3 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
This book drew me in from the very first page, and I really loved the concept and focus on hot air balloons. It was such a unique idea and I love how the world building centred around the balloons from the very start.
I listened to the audiobook, which at the start of the book really drew me in and I enjoyed Khadija’s chapters a lot. The concept of her escaping her possessive and controlling father gave an added layer to the story that felt really important and well written. We also had a POV of Jacob, a Hari, who were looked down upon by society.
The unlikely friendship struck between these two meant the prejudices and divergences between the two characters were faced head on and discussed throughout the book. I really enjoyed seeing the divisions dissolve between the two main characters and this felt like an important theme.
However, this book did start to let me down in the second half, as more and more started to happen. We went from a story focusing on family, friendship and prejudice, to a highly complex world including terrorism, Jinn, protests, attacks and dark magic. There was an introduction of a large amount of characters that left me feeling confused and struggling to focus on the story.
Overall, this book started so strong and I really loved the concept throughout, but lost me as it became overly complex and seemed to drift away from the original plot and point to the story. A solid debut with great world building, but I most likely won’t be continuing with the series.
★★★
3 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
whatbritreads's review against another edition
4.0
*Thank you to Chicken House for sending me a copy of this book to review!*
I’ve never quite read a fantasy book like this before, it was a standalone done right. I usually finish standalone fantasy books thinking they were rushed or underdeveloped which results in dissatisfaction at the ending, but this was different.
It tackled quite a lot of difficult topics, but handled them with care and appropriately for the target audience. With politics, identity, racism and extremism just to name a few, I think this book did them really well. The characters in here were all so different and despite it being a standalone, you really got to see their development throughout the story.
It was well written and the plot moved forward seamlessly. I ended up being able to finish this book in a single day because of the perfect pacing. The plot was full of twists and tension, I really enjoyed how the story played out. I loved the ending, it really made me smile.
The main thing I disliked about this book was the romance. I almost wish it didn’t exist in this book, I don’t think it needed it. My main peeve about it though was that it felt really underdeveloped and rushed, I didn’t really believe in the connection between the characters at all and it just fell a bit flat.
As magical on the inside as on the outside, definitely one I’ll recommend in the future.
I’ve never quite read a fantasy book like this before, it was a standalone done right. I usually finish standalone fantasy books thinking they were rushed or underdeveloped which results in dissatisfaction at the ending, but this was different.
It tackled quite a lot of difficult topics, but handled them with care and appropriately for the target audience. With politics, identity, racism and extremism just to name a few, I think this book did them really well. The characters in here were all so different and despite it being a standalone, you really got to see their development throughout the story.
It was well written and the plot moved forward seamlessly. I ended up being able to finish this book in a single day because of the perfect pacing. The plot was full of twists and tension, I really enjoyed how the story played out. I loved the ending, it really made me smile.
The main thing I disliked about this book was the romance. I almost wish it didn’t exist in this book, I don’t think it needed it. My main peeve about it though was that it felt really underdeveloped and rushed, I didn’t really believe in the connection between the characters at all and it just fell a bit flat.
As magical on the inside as on the outside, definitely one I’ll recommend in the future.
gailmolly's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
I loved loved loved this book. I personally loved the world building, I liked our main characters, I enjoyed the plot. I picked this up as a light hearted read but it had much more depth than I anticipated. Splendid little stand alone 🙌