blackcatreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Stats
Writing: 7
Plot: 7
Characters: 6
World-Building: 8
The writing in this book is beautiful, and I love the way it just transports you into the story. I love the way the magic is described in the book and how the spells they use to work their magic feels warm and inviting. The magic is a connection the their ancestors, and you can really feel that connection in the descriptions of this book.
The plot was pretty straight-forward and standard for a YA book. The goal was to bring back magic, and they did accomplish that goal, even if it didn't happen the way they excepted. My main issue with the plot is the pacing. While many YA books tend to go pretty fast, this one felt it should be longer. Conversations between characters would make it sound like an event happened months ago but it happened a week prior. It just made it a bit difficult to keep track of when things were happening.
The characters are great and are all very unique. As someone who no longer fits the YA category, it can be difficult for me to connect with the characters because their thought processes never make sense. However, they are well rounded characters, each with their own personalities. Amari has this innate sense of justice and wants to do right by all her peoples, not just a few. Zélie is a very rash character who runs head-first into things. However, she does grow over the course of the book and starts to see that things are not always black and white.
Lastly, the world-building. I loved the world-building. I thought it was very unique and fun. I love the different types of magic and how that magic is passed down. I love how their magic is symbolized by the white of their hair. I also love the political imbalance between magic wielders and non-magic wielders. It's very well thought out, unique, and diverse.
Writing: 7
Plot: 7
Characters: 6
World-Building: 8
The writing in this book is beautiful, and I love the way it just transports you into the story. I love the way the magic is described in the book and how the spells they use to work their magic feels warm and inviting. The magic is a connection the their ancestors, and you can really feel that connection in the descriptions of this book.
The plot was pretty straight-forward and standard for a YA book. The goal was to bring back magic, and they did accomplish that goal, even if it didn't happen the way they excepted. My main issue with the plot is the pacing. While many YA books tend to go pretty fast, this one felt it should be longer. Conversations between characters would make it sound like an event happened months ago but it happened a week prior. It just made it a bit difficult to keep track of when things were happening.
The characters are great and are all very unique. As someone who no longer fits the YA category, it can be difficult for me to connect with the characters because their thought processes never make sense. However, they are well rounded characters, each with their own personalities. Amari has this innate sense of justice and wants to do right by all her peoples, not just a few. Zélie is a very rash character who runs head-first into things. However, she does grow over the course of the book and starts to see that things are not always black and white.
Lastly, the world-building. I loved the world-building. I thought it was very unique and fun. I love the different types of magic and how that magic is passed down. I love how their magic is symbolized by the white of their hair. I also love the political imbalance between magic wielders and non-magic wielders. It's very well thought out, unique, and diverse.
akosmihaly's review against another edition
3.0
The message of the book about racism, prejudice and oppression was clear, and it could have been excellent embedded in West African mythology. But the writing was poor, the story was over simplified, the characters were immature and too repetitive. There should have been more explanation in the world building, or maybe it’s just me who missed more information. Overall, the story was good though, worth a shot.
emilyan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.0
katielouisef's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this book - vibrant descriptions of characters, scenery, and struggles. I don't usually read fantasy, and some reviewers are saying this has several flaws for a fantasy book, but I loved it. The lands of Orisha have been without magic since the night of The Raid, a horrendous event where the nobles in the land killed many maji (magic workers) and destroyed their ability to use magic any longer. Zelie and her brother Tzain watched their mother be dragged away and killed and have since lost hope. However, the escape of Princess Amari from her vengeful and hateful father with one of the magic artifacts gives Zelie another chance to resurrect magic and strike back at the royal who has hurt her people so deeply. The book alternates chapters between various viewpoints of Zelie and those around her as they go on a journey to attempt to change all their lives through restoring magic. It's full of action and fun character interaction, but it's also intense and reveals darker themes of racism, violence, and injustice - definitely reflective of current events in our country. I saw one of the romances as a tad unrealistic due to the circumstances surrounding those involved and some uncharacteristic behavior in a couple of scenes for one of the characters, but in general, found the story to be captivating and hard to put down. Great read.
daisy_blub's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
book_worm07's review against another edition
4.0
This book is amazing! The beginning is a bit slow but it picks up quickly and is full of action. The ending is spectacular and has a very suspenseful cliffhanger. This book sucks you into the world of Orïsha and I am very excited to read the sequel.
tiana_598's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
karimorton33's review against another edition
5.0
I loved loved loved this book! I just wanted to read it all the time. I loved the world building and the different maji’s that were in it. Can’t wait to see the world expand in the next one.
maraemilyv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25