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gillianrk's review against another edition
3.0
3.5... there were a lot of descriptions/details to this book, but despite the potential, I just felt like it never got there. It was also extremely repetitive. Alizeh and Kamran's characters were intriguing enough, but also not really? Hazan was a vague fluff character. What was with all the details about the housekeeper and the Baz House? The reader got the gist without the need to beat a dead horse. I really feel that with a stronger editor, this book would've been great - a lot of minor details could have been cut to make the story progress in a better, sharper way. I sort of want to read the next book to see what happens but at the same time... I kind of don't care?
terrorbot's review against another edition
2.0
Beautiful cover, tedious book. This definitely felt like a Cinderella retelling, including a main character that likes to sew, a magic ballgown and slippers, a midnight deadline, animal (read also: bug) companions, and forbidden, insta-love. That, coupled with a penchant for lengthy internal dialogue, sporadic prophetic/mythological details, choppy character dialogue (what is it with everyone interrupting everyone?), and random plot pauses to build the setting, made this a hard one for me to get through. Alizeh spends most of the book friendless (still not convinced Miss Huda is a friend btw) and oscillates between being a mistreated maid (soft spoken, quiet) and the heir to the Jinn kingdom (speaking sharply, killing assassins). Prince Kamran is as immature as they come, treats his supposed friends terribly, and doesn't really seem to care about much. Side note: his mom is hella weird, who tries to repeatedly take their offspring off guard, flinging heavy objects and holding knives to their throats? Most of the relationships felt toxic or false. I think my favorite character was the firefly.
I’m bummed - I had super high hopes for this one!
I’m bummed - I had super high hopes for this one!
cherrrrrl's review against another edition
5.0
This book is beautifully written. Mrs Mafi created a new world that I’m happy to explore with Alizeh and Kamran. I could not put this down, and I’m so glad there’s a 2nd book to read...and counting. Warning: this does end on a cliffhanger, so have Infinite Threads ready!
At the beginning, I was so enamored with Alizeh. The more I read, the more I learned that I don't know everything about her. She surprised me with sudden acts of strength, intelligence, and wit. *SPOILERS AHEAD* Her parents prepared her well with what short time they had with her to be a queen. I learned that her situation was by choice, and not force - and that simple fact makes her a character to revere. It's like if Harry Potter chose to stay with the Dursleys rather than some other family willing to love/honor him his entire life.
Kamran has a lot in life to learn. However, there's not much more you can expect from someone raised as royalty. He was so protected from the world (even though he thought he was on the frontlines) in the normal everyday sense, as well as in the heir to the throne sense. Grandpa didn't want to leave his grandbaby unprepared for role as King, but he doesn't realize that one can never really be prepared. There are some things we cannot see through someone else's eyes - we can only experience to get the lesson. After Kamran met Alizeh, it was game over for him, and I loved every moment of his torture! LOL
After reading this, I'm glad to have gotten to explore Ardunia, and I'm looking forward to learning more about Tulan and King Cyrus. I hope we get to learn more about Hazan, Omid, Deen and Ms Huda!
At the beginning, I was so enamored with Alizeh. The more I read, the more I learned that I don't know everything about her. She surprised me with sudden acts of strength, intelligence, and wit. *SPOILERS AHEAD* Her parents prepared her well with what short time they had with her to be a queen. I learned that her situation was by choice, and not force - and that simple fact makes her a character to revere. It's like if Harry Potter chose to stay with the Dursleys rather than some other family willing to love/honor him his entire life.
Kamran has a lot in life to learn. However, there's not much more you can expect from someone raised as royalty. He was so protected from the world (even though he thought he was on the frontlines) in the normal everyday sense, as well as in the heir to the throne sense. Grandpa didn't want to leave his grandbaby unprepared for role as King, but he doesn't realize that one can never really be prepared. There are some things we cannot see through someone else's eyes - we can only experience to get the lesson. After Kamran met Alizeh, it was game over for him, and I loved every moment of his torture! LOL
After reading this, I'm glad to have gotten to explore Ardunia, and I'm looking forward to learning more about Tulan and King Cyrus. I hope we get to learn more about Hazan, Omid, Deen and Ms Huda!
noralastra's review against another edition
4.0
Ah, Mafi.
I'll admit, I was hesitant to read more of Mafi given that I wasn't too satisfied with the Shatter Me series ending but all the things I heard definitely had me intrigued for this series. I think she dipped her toe into writing full fantasy with her middle-grade books (Furthermore and Witchwood) and I was really excited to see more of her writing style in this setting, especially with it being Persian-inspired.
The writing is lush, beautiful, and feels so romantic. I love Mafi's writing like this and it brought back those feelings I had when I first read her books. She weaved a great start to a very interesting story.
Alizeh has my heart. She's a character that has already suffered so much and we watch her choose kindness because the world has not been kind to her. I'm so excited to see her claim her seat and where the story goes.
Kamran is a character I had prepared myself not to like but honestly, what a loser simp and I love that for him. He's a complicated character with an even more complicated future ahead of him. He's surrounded by snakes everywhere. Literally XD (iykyk). Given how this book ended, I'm so very curious to see what choices he'll be making moving forward.
Cyrus...a chaotic redhead so naturally, I know I'm going to love him. He came in with a bang and stole the show in the end! And he has a DRAGON.
Ending on a cliffhanger like that was something else and I am eager to see how it all unfolds!!
I'll admit, I was hesitant to read more of Mafi given that I wasn't too satisfied with the Shatter Me series ending but all the things I heard definitely had me intrigued for this series. I think she dipped her toe into writing full fantasy with her middle-grade books (Furthermore and Witchwood) and I was really excited to see more of her writing style in this setting, especially with it being Persian-inspired.
The writing is lush, beautiful, and feels so romantic. I love Mafi's writing like this and it brought back those feelings I had when I first read her books. She weaved a great start to a very interesting story.
Alizeh has my heart. She's a character that has already suffered so much and we watch her choose kindness because the world has not been kind to her. I'm so excited to see her claim her seat and where the story goes.
Kamran is a character I had prepared myself not to like but honestly, what a loser simp and I love that for him. He's a complicated character with an even more complicated future ahead of him. He's surrounded by snakes everywhere. Literally XD (iykyk). Given how this book ended, I'm so very curious to see what choices he'll be making moving forward.
Cyrus...a chaotic redhead so naturally, I know I'm going to love him. He came in with a bang and stole the show in the end! And he has a DRAGON.
Ending on a cliffhanger like that was something else and I am eager to see how it all unfolds!!
alifromcali10's review against another edition
3.0
Majority of this book was fairly slow and at some points I questioned why some scenes were in there because I didn’t feel it added to the plot or to characters. Then the book started to pick up towards the end but I just don’t think it’s enough to keep me around for the second one. I’m not sure - maybe I wasn’t in the mood to read it when I was reading it but it was honestly just ok.
suttonharriet123's review against another edition
5.0
What an awesome YA book! It is a fantasy and I was hooked after only a few chapters. I cannot wait to read the next book!
stephb91's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting book, was a little slow in the beginning but quickly unraveled a unique story. Was slightly simple of a plot but very descriptive and am looking forward to reading the 2nd book in the series.
swcheng15's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read. Not a lot of backstory given but I'll read the second. I did like Alizeh and her character so far. The prince, eh.
maddie_starr03's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars. I’m not quite sure what to make of this book. It almost feels like this book was just exposition to set up the next book, as a whole lot of nothing happened during it. The characters were pretty 2 dimensional besides the main character, and there was a frustrating amount of mystery throughout the whole book about what was actually happening. The most redeeming qualities of this book, though, were that the dialogue was great, and the world the author builds is very interesting. I have high hopes that the next book will be better.