emmiem89's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
tehani's review against another edition
4.0
Highly engaging
I zoomed through reading this book but I'm an adult reader. It lost a star from me for two main reasons - I felt the pacing and balance of events unfolding was a bit uneven but more importantly, if this is supposed to be a young adult novel, for me it didn't hit the mark.
I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult reader. I loved the variety of female characters we saw and the world building was really interesting.
However, I also felt it was overpopulated with (some very underutilised, to the point of being unnecessary) characters, and the language used, particularly in the early chapters, was very stilted, which was a bit off-putting. And one little niggle that may not bother others - why give the sisters odd nicknames? Their own names were lovely and could be nicely shortened if necessary - it seemed odd to also use "Merry" and (of all things) "Amiable" - in a book I already felt had too many names, this didn't help!
It's a solid four stars, despite my complaints, and I would a) recommend it and b) definitely read the next installment because oh my, the ENDING!
I zoomed through reading this book but I'm an adult reader. It lost a star from me for two main reasons - I felt the pacing and balance of events unfolding was a bit uneven but more importantly, if this is supposed to be a young adult novel, for me it didn't hit the mark.
I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult reader. I loved the variety of female characters we saw and the world building was really interesting.
However, I also felt it was overpopulated with (some very underutilised, to the point of being unnecessary) characters, and the language used, particularly in the early chapters, was very stilted, which was a bit off-putting. And one little niggle that may not bother others - why give the sisters odd nicknames? Their own names were lovely and could be nicely shortened if necessary - it seemed odd to also use "Merry" and (of all things) "Amiable" - in a book I already felt had too many names, this didn't help!
It's a solid four stars, despite my complaints, and I would a) recommend it and b) definitely read the next installment because oh my, the ENDING!
gabbylikestoread's review
3.5
I enjoyed this novel way more than I expected. It’s a young adult fantasy novel set in Greco-Roman Egypt and follows the perspective of Jesamy, the daughter of army Captain of Saro and his Efean lover. Since marrying her mother is illegal, her father decided to live with her mother in a domestic partnership for more than 20 years which yielded 4 daughters.
Jesamy and her sisters each have their own distinct personality and we get to see their banter and love which I appreciated.
Jesamy is fixated on the Trial of the Fives, a game of mazes, riddles and endurance that is hosted by the royal court. While secretly participating in the trials, she decides to forfeit so she does not have to win and therefore remove her mask and reveal who she is. In doing so, Kal, known as Blue belt, wins.
This story has so many elements of other successful dystopian and fantasy series such as The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones. There is familial drama, adventure, political intrigue and a subplot of romance. The fantasy elements are very understated so far. I’m not sure if more of the fantasy aspects will be expanded upon in the future books.
My main critique would be that this book is in desperate need of a family tree and a glossary. So many characters are introduced and the history of the royal family was just shoved in your face and it was hard to digest it all.
*SPOILER*
We spent so much time following the characters as they try to escape the tomb and I wish that was shortened a bit. That time could have been used to learn more about the history of Saro and Efea. It just seemed rushed when this information is important to know. The world building took an L.
Jesamy and her sisters each have their own distinct personality and we get to see their banter and love which I appreciated.
Jesamy is fixated on the Trial of the Fives, a game of mazes, riddles and endurance that is hosted by the royal court. While secretly participating in the trials, she decides to forfeit so she does not have to win and therefore remove her mask and reveal who she is. In doing so, Kal, known as Blue belt, wins.
This story has so many elements of other successful dystopian and fantasy series such as The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones. There is familial drama, adventure, political intrigue and a subplot of romance. The fantasy elements are very understated so far. I’m not sure if more of the fantasy aspects will be expanded upon in the future books.
My main critique would be that this book is in desperate need of a family tree and a glossary. So many characters are introduced and the history of the royal family was just shoved in your face and it was hard to digest it all.
*SPOILER*
We spent so much time following the characters as they try to escape the tomb and I wish that was shortened a bit. That time could have been used to learn more about the history of Saro and Efea. It just seemed rushed when this information is important to know. The world building took an L.
katelynv234's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
imani_iguana's review
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
ccpprrjj's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I just. . .did not love this book as much as I had hoped I would. While the world-building was interesting and the Fives were fun to read about, I just couldn't get attached to the characters. They felt flat to me, especially Kalliarkos. I just couldn't get invested in his character or his and Jes's relationship. It was just kind of a they had two conversations and now they're in love type of thing. I really felt like I had read better versions of Kalliarkos' character before. Anyways, I don't particularly feel the need to read the rest of the series.
ventenne's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
eokamoto's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
4.25
spookyspooder's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
missyansell's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Jessamy is the daughter of a patron soldier, and a commoner woman. Her three sisters and her were brought up as patron nobility, even though most of society doesn't recognize them and thinks of her mother as a concubine instead of a true wife.
Jessamy's dream is to become a contender in the game of fives, basically an obstacle course and whoever gets the flag after completing the five obstacles wins. Jessamy decides to compete in secret for one time. She does really well and could have won, but then she would have to unmask herself and bring shame to her family. Even though she doesn't win, a lord recognizes her and makes her father denounce Jessamy, her mother, and her sisters and marry his niece. Jessamy is forced to train full time, and if she loses, she will be sold as a slave to the mines. If she does win, she will have the ability to support her mother and sisters.
I agree with what others have said. Jessamy is a selfish character. She runs the fives even though it can seriously hurt her family. I like the parts when she was running the fives, but other than that, I found the book a little boring. I'm not sure if there's really any character i particularly like. Probably won't continue the series, but if my library gets the audiobooks for the second and third books I may, but they don't so ill probably won't...
Jessamy is the daughter of a patron soldier, and a commoner woman. Her three sisters and her were brought up as patron nobility, even though most of society doesn't recognize them and thinks of her mother as a concubine instead of a true wife.
Jessamy's dream is to become a contender in the game of fives, basically an obstacle course and whoever gets the flag after completing the five obstacles wins. Jessamy decides to compete in secret for one time. She does really well and could have won, but then she would have to unmask herself and bring shame to her family. Even though she doesn't win, a lord recognizes her and makes her father denounce Jessamy, her mother, and her sisters and marry his niece. Jessamy is forced to train full time, and if she loses, she will be sold as a slave to the mines. If she does win, she will have the ability to support her mother and sisters.
I agree with what others have said. Jessamy is a selfish character. She runs the fives even though it can seriously hurt her family. I like the parts when she was running the fives, but other than that, I found the book a little boring. I'm not sure if there's really any character i particularly like. Probably won't continue the series, but if my library gets the audiobooks for the second and third books I may, but they don't so ill probably won't...